Florida lawmakers debate new redistricting maps amid Supreme Court ruling

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WINK) — The Florida House and Senate are debating the state's new redistricting proposal on Wednesday, as tensions rise over the process and a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

The Supreme Court ruled that states can't make race the primary factor when drawing districts, striking down a Louisiana map. This means states like Florida may have more freedom when drawing maps without focusing as much on race.

The ruling aligns with arguments Gov. Ron DeSantis has made when his team drew these new maps without considering race. It could weaken Democrats' arguments that race must be considered in some cases under federal law.

Sen. Jonathan Martin said he believes the maps are constitutional and is not worried about potential legal challenges.

"I believe that these maps are constitutional, my job is to vote on maps that are constitutional, and whatever other parties choose to do down the road, that's between them and their lawyers," Martin said.

Constitutionality is not the Democrats' only argument against these maps. They said the process is rushed; they just got these new maps on Monday, the public hasn't had a chance to weigh in, and the maps were redrawn in 2022.

Rep. Jennifer Harris, a Democrat from Orange County, was passionate speaking on the floor. Even with this ruling, Florida has its own rules.

The Fair Districts Amendment still sets standards for how maps are drawn, including protections for minority voters. How that holds up after this decision is still unclear and could be decided in court.