DeSantis to call special Florida legislative session early next year for redistricting

Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to call a special legislative session early next year for redistricting, ahead of the 2026 midterms.

“Yeah, so we’re going to redistrict,” DeSantis told The Floridian on Monday, according to NOTUS.

The governor said that the timing of redrawing the state's congressional map will depend on the results of a voting rights case before the Supreme Court. 

The case is regarding the legality of Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which has been interpreted as the enforcement mechanism for the 15th Amendment. The statute allows judicial relief for a voter if they believe their right to vote is being infringed upon on the basis of race.

“The argument in October about Section 2 of the VRA, that impacts Florida’s maps, so we’re going to do it next spring,” DeSantis said. “I am going to talk to [state Senate Majority Leader Ben Albritton] about when it makes sense to do it, but that will be done. I think we are going to be required to do it because of this court decision.”

Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power said last month that he expects Republicans to gain three to five House seats under the new redistricting proposal.

In September, state House members formed an official redistricting committee, and will have their first meeting on Thursday.

Florida follows Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina in redrawing congressional maps to benefit the GOP in next year's elections. Meanwhile, California passed a ballot proposal last month, approving a new congressional map that will help Democrats gain House seats, and Virginia Democrats have passed a constitutional amendment for their proposed new maps.