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During a virtual hearing, Circuit Court Judge J. Layne Smith
said the map that passed the legislature last month at DeSantis'
urging "diminishes African Americans' ability to elect the
representative of their choice" in a north Florida district in
violation of the state constitution.
Smith indicated he planned to issue a formal order on Thursday
or Friday striking down the map, which would then likely be
appealed by the state.
Voting rights groups challenged the map in a lawsuit focused on
the majority-Black district, which is currently held by U.S.
Representative Al Lawson, a Black Democrat.
The DeSantis-backed map eliminated that district while ensuring
Republicans have the edge in 20 of the state's 28 U.S.
congressional seats, giving Republicans a substantial boost as
they seeks to retake control of the U.S. House of
Representatives in November's midterm elections.
DeSantis, who is running for reelection, is considered a
potential front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential
nomination.
The governor previously vetoed maps that lawmakers had passed
and ordered the legislature into a special session to approve
new boundaries.
Smith was appointed by DeSantis to his current position.
(Reporting by Joseph Ax)
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