Legislature to hold third special session in 2015

2nd special session to address congressional voting maps

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – An unprecedented admission by the Florida Legislature has given way to another special session in the state for 2015. Groups that have been pushing for proper voting maps say the Legislature is admitting they were wrong.

A second special session is already scheduled to begin in about two weeks to redraw congressional voting maps.

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The Florida Senate said their voting districts will most likely be unconstitutional and they'll need to be redrawn. Peter Butzin, with Common Cause Florida, a group challenging the districts, is declaring victory.

"They're caving in and they're recognizing that we've won and that they've lost," Butzin said. "I'm happy they've come to that conclusion. It's after over $7 million have been spent on litigation, it's over three years past after the original redistricting plan."

The Legislature will hold a third special session of 2015 in order to redraw the voting maps. The move helps the Senate avoid a potential trial on their current maps.

"I've seen several quotes from Senate leadership saying anytime they can avoid a trial it's in their best interest, and they made that determination that it's in their best interest to take on the maps without the courts dictating it," said Penny Walker Bos, of the League of Women Voters.

Redrawing maps might not be the only business being decided during the third special session.

The October special session will coincide with the expiration of a negotiation window between the state and Seminole tribe for a deal that authorizes blackjack and table games. Gaming law expert Marc Dunbar said it sets up nicely for the legislature to kill two birds with one stone.

"That's the way the compact laid it out," Dunbar said. "It gave them the 90-day period to negotiate. Table games have to be stopped Oct. 29, so an October special session makes sense to bring everything in for a landing.

The state's third special session will run from Oct. 19 through Nov. 6.