Florida defends new congressional map, says it lacks 'signs' of partisan gerrymandering

"The claim of partisan favoritism is tethered only to maps showing the district lines overlayed onto the results of a few elections, hearsay from their supposed experts, thoughts about tweets, their perspective on Fox News coverage, and a single factual representation from the governor's map drawer, the lawyers for the governor and state wrote."

"They also asserted that "finally, on its face, Florida's map lacks the telltale signs of a partisan gerrymander" and contrasted that with maps put in place in Democratic states that include "blue spaghetti" and "partisan thunderbolts.""

"Florida's "Fair Districts" standards prohibit redrawing congressional districts for partisan gain or to help or hurt an incumbent. Democrats and other critics have insisted the new map is "illegal" because it violates these standards. The map, for example, reconfigured districts in the Tampa Bay and Orlando area - including splitting off Hispanic voters that had been in the district now held by Democratic Rep. Darren Soto."

"But in a legal memorandum, the governor's general counsel argued the state no longer needs to follow "Fair Districts" because of a state Supreme Court ruling on another portion of the amendment. That argument is also in the state's filing t"

State lawyers filed a response seeking to keep Florida’s newly approved congressional map in place. They argued procedural barriers apply because the map was approved only two weeks earlier and is too close to the August primary to undo. They also contended challengers have produced scant evidence supporting claims of partisan favoritism, citing limited election overlays, hearsay from supposed experts, and non-substantive considerations. They asserted the map lacks telltale signs of partisan gerrymandering and contrasted it with maps in Democratic states described as chaotic. Florida’s Fair Districts standards prohibit redrawing districts for partisan gain or to affect incumbents, and critics claim the map violates those standards by reconfiguring districts around Tampa Bay and Orlando, including splitting Hispanic voters from the district held by Rep. Darren Soto.

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