Florida Congressional Redistricting Challenge (Equal Ground)
Equal Ground Education Fund et al v. Byrd et al
A pro-voting lawsuit challenging the Florida legislature’s new gerrymandered congressional map.
Background
Equal Ground Education Fund and state voters filed a lawsuit in state court challenging the Florida legislature’s new gerrymandered congressional map that adds four additional Republican-leaning seats ahead of the 2026 midterms. Plaintiffs assert that the new map violates the state constitution’s explicit ban on partisan gerrymandering and non-compactness, and the state constitution’s requirement to use political and geographic boundaries to draw new districts. The lawsuit seeks to block the new gerrymandered map from going into effect.
Why It Matters
Florida’s new map “cracks the Democratic-leaning cities” across the state to favor Republicans, the lawsuit alleges. The redrawn congressional map is in coordination with President Trump’s broader mid-decade redistricting plan to secure additional Republican congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas, North Carolina, and Missouri have already passed new maps favoring Republicans without approval from the voters.
Latest Updates
- May 7, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their response in opposition to the Secretary’s motion to disqualify the judge. The Secretary filed his reply in support of the motion. The judge granted the motion disqualifying himself.
- May 6, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their motion for a temporary injunction. The Secretary filed a motion to disqualify the judge.
- May 4, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their complaint.