Florida asks court to dismiss lawsuit challenging Senate redistricting plan
TALLAHASSEE — Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd has asked a federal court to toss out a lawsuit challenging a state Senate redistricting plan passed in 2022, disputing allegations that the design of two districts in the Tampa Bay area diluted the power of Black voters.
Attorneys for Byrd filed a motion last week arguing that a three-judge panel should dismiss the case, which was filed April 10 in Tampa.
The case, filed on behalf of five residents of Tampa and St. Petersburg, names Byrd and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, as defendants.
The lawsuit alleges that Senate District 16 and Senate District 18 are gerrymandered and violate constitutional equal-protection rights. District 16, which is represented by Sen. Darryl Rouson, a Black Democrat from St. Petersburg, crosses Tampa Bay to include parts of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. White Republican Nick DiCeglie of Indian Rocks Beach represents District 18, which is made up of part of Pinellas County.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2024/04/29/florida-asks-court-to-dismiss-lawsuit-challenging-senate-redistricting-plan/
