Written by Debbie Deland / vp@flnow.org
Florida is diving into a politically charged and unprecedented mid-decade redistricting effort ahead of the 2026 elections.
Why Is Florida Redistricting Now?
- Redistricting usually happens once a decade after the U.S. Census. Florida last redrew its congressional map in 2022.
- Now, Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez are pushing for a new round of redistricting—just three years later.
- The move follows President Trump’s call for Republican-led states to redraw maps to secure more GOP seats in Congress.
Who’s Involved?
- The Florida House has formed a Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting, chaired by Rep. Mike Redondo.
- The Florida Senate, however, has not yet taken steps toward redistricting.
- DeSantis and Perez are aligned on this issue, despite their brewing rivalry over future statewide races.
What’s at Stake?
- Florida currently has 20 Republican and 8 Democratic congressional seats.
- Analysts say the state is already heavily gerrymandered, making it difficult to carve out more GOP-leaning districts.
- A new map could shift district boundaries, forcing candidates to campaign in unfamiliar areas and potentially displacing incumbents.
Public Reaction
- A recent poll shows 55% of Florida voters oppose mid-decade redistricting—including a plurality of Republicans.
- 76% of voters prefer an independent commission to draw maps, rather than the Legislature.
- Critics, including Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried, call the move a “backroom power grab”.
What’s Next?
- The House committee is expected to begin meetings this fall.
- Legal challenges are likely, especially from advocacy groups concerned about racial and partisan gerrymandering.
- The new map could be in place for the 2026 midterm elections, reshaping Florida’s political landscape.