Florida Supreme Court Says Lawsuit Challenging Redistricting Can Go Forward

In a 5-2 decision along the usual ideological lines, Florida's liberal-leaning Supreme Court has denied a petition by the Florida Legislature to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the 2012 Senate redistricting map.

The plaintiffs, a coalition of leftist voters' groups, are alleging that the newly drawn Senate and congressional maps reflect gerrymandering in favor of Republican candidates and incumbents, and unfairly disadvantage racial minorities, while lawyers for the Legislature insisted the Supreme Court's approval of the maps in 2012 was the final word on their validity.

In an opinion authored by controversial Justice Barbara Pariente, the court said Thursday that its 2012 approvals were simply facial, and did not prevent the court from revisiting them at some future date if further evidence is discovered indicating that the districts were drawn up with the improper intent.

More to come ...