Justices decline to hear challenge to map favored by Gov. DeSantis

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday declined to take up a challenge to the state's new congressional map, making it increasingly likely that elections this year will be conducted under the aggressively partisan congressional boundaries championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. The 4-1 decision represents a setback for Democrats and voting rights groups, who had hoped the state's high court would block a redistricting plan they say disenfranchises Black Floridians. However, the court said it did not have jurisdiction to step in until an appeals court had ruled on the case.

With the June 17 qualifying deadline for candidates fast approaching, it would take a remarkably swift intervention by the lower courts to strike down the state's map without upending the midterm elections. More likely, plaintiffs and the state are headed toward a lengthy legal battle over the constitutionality of the state's new congressional borders that could take years to resolve. Three of the four justices concurring in the opinion were appointed by DeSantis. Two justices recused themselves.

Justice Jorge Labarga dissented, arguing that the court had the power to intervene on redistricting matters — and did so last decade. Labarga, who was appointed by former Republican governor turned Democratic congressman Charlie Crist, wrote that inaction by the state Supreme Court would undermine voters who had approved an amendment to the state constitution that prohibited state lawmakers from diminishing the power of minority voters when drawing new maps.