Florida Supreme Court Blocks Redistricting Challenge

Ruling allows Gov. Ron DeSantis to move forward with redrawing congressional districts.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Florida Supreme Court has unanimously rejected a petition to block Gov. Ron DeSantis' move to redraw the state's congressional districts. The legal challenge was brought by two Florida voters and supported by the National Redistricting Foundation, but the court ruled that the governor has the authority to call a special legislative session on redistricting and the secretary of state can adjust the congressional election calendar.

Why it matters

This decision clears the way for DeSantis, a Republican, to potentially redraw district lines in a way that could benefit his party ahead of the 2024 midterm elections. Partisan gerrymandering has been a contentious issue in Florida, where voters approved an anti-gerrymandering amendment in 2010.

The details

In a short, two-paragraph ruling, the Florida Supreme Court said the request by the voters to block DeSantis' call for a special session on redistricting in April and the move by Secretary of State Cord Byrd to push back the qualifying week for congressional elections from April to June was beyond the scope of the petition they filed. The court stated that the governor has the authority to convene the legislature in special session and the secretary of state has the authority to interpret election laws.

  • DeSantis called a special legislative session on redistricting starting April 20, 2026.
  • The qualifying week for congressional elections was originally scheduled for April 2026 but was moved to June 2026 by the secretary of state.

The players

Ron DeSantis

The Republican governor of Florida who called a special legislative session to redraw the state's congressional districts.

Cord Byrd

The Florida secretary of state who moved the qualifying week for congressional elections from April to June 2026.

National Redistricting Foundation

A group that supported the legal challenge brought by two Florida voters against DeSantis' redistricting plans.

Carlos Muñiz

The chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court who wrote the unanimous ruling rejecting the petition to block DeSantis' redistricting efforts.

Adam Tanenbaum

A Florida Supreme Court justice who wrote a separate concurrence noting the court did not consider the underlying merits of the petition.

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What they’re saying

“The Governor has the authority to convene the Legislature in special session by proclamation. The Secretary of State is the chief election officer of the state and has the authority to interpret the election laws.”

— Carlos Muñiz, Chief Justice, Florida Supreme Court (jaxtoday.org)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.