For Immediate ReleaseSeptember 11, 2023ContactJena Doyledoyle@redistrictingfoundation.org
ICYMI: NRF-Supported Plaintiffs Petition State Supreme Court to Resolve Successful Challenge against Florida Congressional Map
Washington, D.C. – On Friday, parties in the case Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute v. Byrdfiled a joint motion to the Florida Supreme Court asking it to immediately accept jurisdiction – bypassing an intermediate appellate court – and requesting an expedited briefing schedule once it accepts jurisdiction over the case.
Recently, a Florida trial court sided with plaintiffs and ruled that Florida’s congressional map, specifically Congressional District Five, violates Article III, § 20 of the Florida Constitution, commonly known as the Fair Districts Amendment. Leading up to the trial, the case against Florida’s congressional map was strengthened by an agreement between the parties to the litigation. The National Redistricting Foundation (NRF), the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), initiated this legal challenge in 2022 and remains involved in the case supporting the plaintiffs.
“The question before the Court - does Florida’s congressional map violate the state constitution - is clear, and the answer has been proven in court. It does.” said Olivia Mendoza, Director of Litigation and Policy for the NRF. “Following the decision from the trial court just days ago, the Florida Supreme Court must quickly move this process forward and ensure fair representation for Black voters in North Florida. The Congressional map must reflect both the demographics of the people and will of the voters.”
The motion can be found HERE.
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About NRFThe National Redistricting Foundation is the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, and was formed in 2017 to engage in work that protects voting rights and challenges gerrymandered congressional and state legislative districts. The National Redistricting Foundation has funded and executed lawsuits that include, but are not limited to, overturning gerrymandered congressional and state legislative maps in North Carolina, successfully challenging the Trump Administration’s attempt to add a citizenship question to the Census, and protecting Wisconsin voters from former Governor Scott Walker’s refusal to call special elections and attacks on early voting.