– Florida lawmakers are now back in Tallahassee for a special session to consider redrawing the state’s U.S. House district lines.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued the proclamation calling the special session earlier in the year, and offered a proposed map on Monday, just one day before the session was set to begin.
State lawmakers last redrew district lines in 2022, following the 2020 Census. Reapportionment, the process of redistributing seats in the U.S. House based on population, resulted in Florida’s U.S. House delegation increasing to 28 seats that year.
Currently, 20 seats are held by Republicans, with eight held by Democrats. The proposed map is expected to give Republicans a greater advantage, widening the margin to 24 to four.
The proposal leaves North Florida’s districts untouched, but makes changes in Central and South Florida, with Democrats potentially losing one seat in the Orlando area, one in the Tampa area, and two in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area.
Note: If the map doesn’t appear to be working correctly, refresh your browser window.