DeSantis Calls April Special Session to Redraw Florida Congressional Map Ahead of Supreme Court Ruling

Updated 2026-01-07 21:56:30+00:00 (3 articles)

DeSantis Announces April Redistricting Session on Jan. 7, 2026 Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Jan. 7, 2026 that he will convene a special legislative session in April to redraw Florida’s congressional districts [1][2]. The session will take place outside the regular 2026 legislative calendar, giving the Republican‑controlled Legislature time to act before the next election cycle [1][2]. DeSantis framed the move as a proactive response to pending legal questions rather than a reaction to immediate political pressure [1][2].

Waiting for Supreme Court Decision in Louisiana v. Callais DeSantis said the governor will wait for the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, a case that could reshape Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act [1][2]. He warned that “at least one or two” Florida districts could be altered depending on the Court’s scope [1][2]. The governor emphasized that the issue is not “if” the Court will rule but “what” the ruling will require, positioning the April session as a pre‑emptive measure [1][2].

Republican Dominance and National Redistricting Strategy Republicans currently hold 20 of Florida’s 28 U.S. House seats, making the redistricting outcome crucial for maintaining their majority [1][2]. The Florida effort aligns with a broader GOP “arms race” in states such as Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio, where mid‑cycle maps aim to add seats for the party in the 2026 elections [1][2]. President Donald Trump has publicly encouraged GOP‑led states to produce favorable maps, and analysts project a net three‑seat advantage for Republicans if the new maps survive litigation [1][2].

Fair Districts Amendment and Recent Court Rulings Complicate Redraw Florida’s 2010 constitutional “Fair Districts” amendment bans maps drawn to advantage a party, a provision cited by Democrats opposing the special session [1][2]. The Florida Supreme Court upheld a DeSantis‑backed congressional map in July 2024, despite challenges that claimed violations of the amendment [1][2]. In response, House Speaker Daniel Perez formed a select committee in August 2024 to review the map, setting the legislative groundwork for the upcoming April session [1][2].

Sources

Timeline

2010 – Voters approve the Florida constitutional “Fair Districts” amendment, which bars congressional maps that unfairly favor a party, establishing a legal baseline for future redistricting battles [1][2].

July 2025 – The Florida Supreme Court upholds a congressional map championed by Governor DeSantis, despite criticism that it violates the Fair Districts amendment, setting a contentious precedent for the upcoming redistricting cycle [1].

August 2025 – House Speaker Daniel Perez creates a select committee to review the contested map, signaling legislative intent to revisit district boundaries amid legal uncertainty [1].

August 2025 – Governor DeSantis urges a redo of the 2020 census, declaring “We are going to press this issue” as he claims Florida was short‑counted and seeks a larger population count for future representation [3].

Dec 4, 2025 – Florida’s Republican‑controlled House holds its first select‑committee meeting on congressional redistricting, launching the state’s participation in the national mid‑cycle redistricting wave [3].

Jan 7, 2026 – Governor Ron DeSantis announces a special legislative session in April 2026 to redraw Florida’s congressional districts, positioning the move as a pre‑emptive response to the pending U.S. Supreme Court case Louisiana v. Callais and joining a GOP‑led “redistricting arms race” across the country [1][2].

Jan 7, 2026 – DeSantis tells reporters that “at least one or two” Florida districts could be reshaped by the Supreme Court’s Section 2 ruling, emphasizing that the question is not “if” the Court will rule but “what” the scope will be, and frames the special session as a way to get ahead of that decision [1][2].

Jan 7, 2026 – He notes that Republicans currently hold 20 of Florida’s 28 U.S. House seats, highlighting the partisan stakes of any new map that could further entrench GOP dominance ahead of the 2026 midterms [1][2].

April 2026 (planned) – The Florida Legislature convenes the special session to draft new congressional boundaries, aiming to finalize maps before the 2026 election cycle and potentially influence the national balance of power in the House [1][2].

2026 (expected) – The U.S. Supreme Court issues its decision in Louisiana v. Callais, clarifying the scope of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and directly affecting how many districts Florida must create to avoid discrimination claims [1][2].

Nov 2026 (future) – Voters elect representatives under the newly drawn districts, with projections that a GOP‑favored map could add 3‑5 Republican seats in Florida and contribute to a net Republican gain of three seats nationwide, reflecting President Trump’s strategy to reshape congressional maps in GOP‑led states [3][2].