Florida Voters Challenge DeSantis on Constitutional Authority for Mid-Cycle Congressional Redistricting

By Theodore Bunker | Thursday, February 5, 2026, 5:10 PM EST

Two Florida voters have asked the state Supreme Court on Thursday to block Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push for mid-cycle congressional redistricting, arguing the Republican governor lacks constitutional authority to force lawmakers to redraw district lines outside the normal decennial cycle tied to the U.S. Census.

The petition targets DeSantis’ January 7 proclamation calling a special legislative session on redistricting from April 20 to April 24 and related election directives issued by Secretary of State Cord Byrd.

“On January 7, 2026, after trying for months to convince the Legislature to undergo mid-cycle redistricting on his preferred timeline, the Governor issued a proclamation calling a special session,” the petition said. “The decision over whether and when to reapportion Florida’s congressional districts belongs to the Legislature.”

The case, Pines v. DeSantis, also argues that the administration’s steps have created uncertainty for candidates and election officials. The petition states that while relying on the governor and secretary of state’s actions, “congressional candidates otherwise required to collect signatures from residents living in their district will have instead submitted signatures from residents living in other districts,” warning that if lawmakers do not redraw lines, normal rules could “snap back into effect.”

DeSantis has defended the session as necessary to reflect population shifts and to respond to a pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling affecting how race can be considered in drawing districts.

“Every Florida resident deserves to be represented fairly and constitutionally,” DeSantis said when announcing the session.

The legal battle comes as both parties pursue aggressive mid-cycle map changes ahead of the November midterms, with Republicans holding 20 of Florida’s 28 U.S. House seats.

Theodore Bunker has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.