Update: Equal Ground & Dozens of Floridians Challenge New Congressional Maps Enacted by FL Legislature & Governor DeSantis

Statement from Equal Ground Executive Director Genesis Robinson

Today’s ruling is deeply disappointing for Black voters and all Floridians who believe in fair representation and accountable democracy. While the Court declined to block Florida’s newly enacted congressional map before the 2026 elections, the Court also made clear that this was not a ruling on the ultimate constitutionality of the map itself.

What this means in practice is that voters may once again be forced to cast ballots under a map that is still under serious constitutional challenge for violating Florida’s Fair Districts protections against partisan manipulation. The harm of that cannot be overstated. However we have filed an appeal and will continue to fight. 

The Court acknowledged that election timelines and procedural barriers make it difficult to intervene before the 2026 cycle moves forward. But voters should not have to wait years for relief while elections proceed under a map that may ultimately be found unconstitutional. Every election conducted under an unfair map risks silencing communities, distorting representation, and eroding public trust in our democratic process.

Black voters deserve districts that reflect their communities, protect their voting strength, and comply with the constitutional safeguards Floridians overwhelmingly approved through the Fair Districts Amendments. Our fight does not end with this preliminary ruling. We remain committed to ensuring that Florida’s congressional map is fair, constitutional, and representative of all people — not engineered for partisan advantage at the expense of voters.