“As many of you are aware, there are national conversations ongoing in other states related to midterm redistricting. Here in Florida, our state supreme court’s recent decision in Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute, Inc. v Secretary, Florida Department of State, raises important and distinct questions about the applicability and interpretation of certain provisions of the so-called ‘Fair Districts’ provisions of the Florida Constitution and their intersection with Federal law.”
“Exploring these questions now, at the mid-decade point, would potentially allow us to seek legal guidance from our supreme court without the uncertainty associated with deferring those questions until after the next decennial census and reapportionment. It is important to acknowledge that while this may be an opportunity, it is not an expected one, and we do not have the capacity to engage in the full redistricting process experienced during the 2020-2022 term. Thus, we will focus our inquiry on the Congressional map, which was the subject of the recent Florida Supreme Court case, and any relevant legal questions. To that end, I am creating a Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting,” says a notice from Republican Florida State House Speaker Daniel Perez.