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
- June 4, 2026: Pro-voters filed motions with the Florida Supreme Court asking them to take the appeal and to expedite the process.
- June 2, 2026: Florida filed its opposition to the motion to expedite proceedings in the Court of Appeals. Pro-voters filed their reply in support.
- June 1, 2026: Florida filed its opposition to the bypass motion. Pro-voters replied in support of their motion. The court denied the motion to bypass. Pro-voters then quickly filed a motion to expedite proceedings in the Court of Appeals.
- May 28, 2026: Pro-voters filed their opening brief with the First District Court of Appeals and filed a motion to bypass the court and head straight to the Florida Supreme Court for the appeals process.
- May 26, 2026: The court denied pro-voters’ motions for a preliminary injunction. Pro-voters appealed to the First District Court of Appeal.
- May 15, 2026: The court held a hearing on pro-voters’ motions for a temporary injunction.
- May 14, 2026: Thompson-Wynn and Common Cause lawsuits consolidated with this case designated as the lead.
- May 11, 2026: New judge assigned.
- May 7, 2026: Pro-voters filed their response in opposition to the Secretary’s motion to disqualify the judge. Florida filed its reply in support of the motion. The judge granted the motion disqualifying himself.
- May 6, 2026: Pro-voters filed their motion for a temporary injunction. The Secretary filed a motion to disqualify the judge.
- May 4, 2026: Pro-voters filed their complaint.