Key facts
- The Florida Supreme Court allowed new Republican-drawn U.S. House districts for the midterm elections.
- The court declined to issue a temporary injunction against the new map.
- The new map could potentially help Republicans gain up to four additional House seats in Florida.
- The decision thwarts Democrats' efforts to pause the new map from being used in November.
The Florida Supreme Court paved the way for Republicans to use a new House map in the upcoming midterm elections, potentially netting the party up to four seats. In a 6-1 ruling, the high court declined to halt the use of the map passed by Florida Republicans earlier this year, rejecting a bid by Democrats to block its implementation. The court stated it did not have jurisdiction to intervene while the lawsuit remains before a lower appeals court. Florida's current congressional delegation holds a 20-8 edge favoring the GOP, but the new map could shift this advantage to as much as 24-4. This decision thwarts Democrats' efforts to pause the map's use before the November election.