Redistricting

An appeals court upheld the map, which plaintiffs say violated part of the constitutional amendment that barred drawing districts that would “diminish” the ability of minorities to “elect representatives of their choice.”

A federal three-judge panel heard closing arguments on Tuesday in a federal trial over the removal of North Florida's only district where Black voters could elect their candidate of choice.

A federal trial over Florida’s congressional map could wrap up early this week after attorneys for civil rights groups and voters suing over North Florida’s districts rested their case on Monday afternoon.

The change eliminated two of four Black voting districts, including one in North Florida that stretched from the Big Bend to Jacksonville.

The Hillsborough County School Board voted 4-3 to approve new school boundaries. The plan will take effect in the 2024-25 school year.

After hours of public comment, board members voted Tuesday to close Just Elementary. A second vote will be held on May 9.

It came at the start of the 2023 legislative session, in which the Republican supermajority is expected to rubber stamp much of DeSantis' agenda.

Florida Gov. DeSantis' pugnacious approach to issues involving race, sexual orientation and public health has pushed him to the front of the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

Board members voted unanimously against making a decision on the boundary changes at Tuesday's meeting. They will hold another workshop on March 9.

Hillsborough County School Board members heard a fourth proposal that was touted late last week by Superintendent Addison Davis.

A protracted legal fight over how city council districts were drawn in Jacksonville reflects an aspect of redistricting that often remains in the shadows.

The changes could "repurpose" 12 schools, meaning students would need to shift to other facilities.