Florida Supreme Court Approves State’s Congressional Districts

The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a lower court’s ruling about the state’s congressional districts, ending at least one phase of a nearly four-year legal battle over the map.

The ruling means a set of districts in South Florida crafted by a coalition of voting-rights groups will be used in the map over the next three elections.

Florida Associated Press reporter Gary Fineout tweets these reactions and analysis:

BREAKING: Fla. Supreme Court approves new map for Congress – sign off on large changes that could lead to ouster of several incumbents

— Gary Fineout (@fineout) December 2, 2015

Fla. Supreme Court 5-2 decision means end of @RepGwenGraham & would force @RepWebster to move in order to remain in Congress

— Gary Fineout (@fineout) December 2, 2015

Up next: @RepCorrineBrown will likely challenge the map in federal court. She promised to do so after arguments before the Supreme Ct

— Gary Fineout (@fineout) December 2, 2015

Justice Barbara Pariente in ruling: "We did not anticipate, however, that the Legislature, would be unable to agree on a final…plan."

— Gary Fineout (@fineout) December 2, 2015

On the floor of the Senate right now – a rare sighting of @LopezCantera in the state Capitol

— Gary Fineout (@fineout) December 2, 2015

Today brings unity to the Republican Senate caucus declares @BillGalvano

— Gary Fineout (@fineout) December 2, 2015

.@CharlieCrist happy with court ruling that should help him make it to Congress. "There's no place like home,'' he says in statement

— Gary Fineout (@fineout) December 2, 2015

Justice Ricky Polston wrote a stinging dissent of Fla. court ruling approving new map – said it was drawn by Democratic operatives

— Gary Fineout (@fineout) December 2, 2015

Justice Polston contends that there is much "stronger and more direct evidence of partisan infiltration" w new map than existed with #FLLeg

— Gary Fineout (@fineout) December 2, 2015