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Last August, President Trump declared that Texas was “entitled” to five more seats in the House, and then the race was on to see which state could squeeze the most partisan-drawn seats from a map that would still stand up to legal scrutiny.
Seven states have since implemented new congressional maps. On Wednesday, Florida became the eighth as the Legislature’s Republican super-majority passed a new map that pared the state’s eight Democrat-leaning districts to four. Florida’s Congressional delegation is expected to soon have a 24 to 4 Republican advantage.
A March survey by Emerson College Polling found that Florida voters were split on mid-decade redistricting with 44 percent supporting the idea while 56 percent opposed it. Unsurprisingly, redistricting found more support among Republicans (57 percent) while Democrats and independents opposed it by 65 percent and 64 percent respectively.
Legislators and other stakeholders had their own thoughts on the process and the outcome. Most were shared directly with VoxPopuli; a few were public statements that we picked up from websites or social media platforms. Here’s what they had to say. To see how every Florida legislator voted — or did not vote — check our chart below.
“What unfolded over the last several weeks was not a legitimate legislative exercise. It was the execution of an outside political agenda, dressed up in the language of the law. Florida’s Constitution is clear. The Fair Districts Amendments prohibit drawing maps to favor a political party or diminish the voices of our communities. Yet this process lacked transparency, was not driven by meaningful public input and prioritized political power over the people we were elected to serve.
"Let’s call it what it is. This is gerrymandering. When you can’t win with the people, you try to redraw the people. Floridians deserve better, but make no mistake about it, this will be litigated in the courts. Until then we need to make our voices reverberate at the polls.”
“Florida continues to lead. The passage of new congressional maps is another step in the right direction. These new congressional maps reflect our state’s growth, respect our communities and restore faith, Constitutional representation. Proud to stand with Governor and my colleagues in the Florida Legislature to get this done.”
“DeSantis’ legacy will always be tied to the erosion of voting rights in Florida. The ridiculous creation of an election police force, the laws that attacked popular voting methods like voting by mail and early voting, and now mid-decade redistricting — all have been used to keep voters from the ballot box and control the results of our elections. With his latest actions, DeSantis has ignored his state’s voters to instead cater to President Trump so their party can maintain control of Congress during the midterms. Despite what DeSantis and his cronies on the ground in Florida say, this redistricting push wasn’t about political lines. This was about whether all voters — including Black, Brown and those from other historically excluded communities — can have a chance at representation in a system that’s supposed to serve everyone, and it was an opportunity those who voted for this new map failed to take.”
“Every Florida elected official swears an oath to support, protect and defend the Constitution. Today that oath was broken.
“The Fair Districts Amendments — passed by Florida voters in 2010 — are clear: no district shall be drawn to favor or disfavor a political party. Yet Gov. DeSantis’ own office released a color-coded map showing that their redistricting shifts the state from 20 to 24 Republican-leaning districts. The mapmaker admitted partisan data was used. Even the governor’s own attorney could not confirm the map is constitutional.
“No governor, no legislature, no political party is above the Florida Constitution. When our lawmakers decide that our laws don’t apply to them, that is not governance — that is corruption. Sixty-three percent of Floridians voted in favor of Florida’s Fair Districts Amendments, and they’ve been enshrined in Florida’s Constitution for well over a decade.
“… The right of Black and Brown Floridians to equal representation was not given to us; it was fought for, bled for and enshrined in our Constitution, and we will not allow it to be erased by a map drawn in a back room to serve a political party. This map is unconstitutional, and the people of Florida will not be silent and complicit as those in power seek to rig our elections in real time.”
“Today, the Florida Legislature advanced a deeply partisan congressional map, mid-decade, once again putting politics over people. This map is not about fair representation — it is about protecting power. They weaken the voices of Floridians, particularly Black and Brown communities and undermine the basic principle that voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around.
"We have been down the road before. Courts have already made clear that dismantling fair districts and ignoring voter-approved standards is unacceptable. Yet here we are again, watching a majority push through a map that came from the governor’s office via President Trump. One that was first leaked to Fox News. One that erodes trust in our democracy and silences communities. Floridians deserve better and this fight is not over. We will continue to stand with our communities, challenge this map in court and defend the fundamental right to fair representation in Florida.”
"We are deeply disappointed that both chambers of the Florida Legislature have approved the Governor’s mid-decade redistricting proposal. This newly adopted map appears to violate the Florida Constitution’s clear prohibition on partisan gerrymandering and represents a troubling abuse of the redistricting process. Rushing through a mid-decade redraw undermines public trust and the integrity of our elections.
"The Governor’s staff has acknowledged that the map relies on the same Census data used in 2022 to draw the current congressional districts. With no new data to justify this action, it is difficult to view this effort as for anything other than partisan considerations. Floridians deserve better.
"Redistricting should be a careful, transparent process grounded in data, public input, and respect for communities — not a rushed, backroom exercise in political advantage. The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais is a devastating blow to the Voting Right Act, which our national League will be addressing. Disappointing though it was, that decision did not require Florida to redraw its maps, making this action all the more unjustified.
"Florida voters have been clear for more than a decade: they reject partisan gerrymandering. In 2010, they overwhelmingly approved the Fair Districts Amendments to enshrine that principle in our Constitution. By ignoring that mandate, the Legislature has turned its back on the will of the people.
"We will not accept this outcome as the final word. We are committed to working with partners to challenge this map and defend the Constitutional protections Florida voters demanded. We will continue to keep the public informed as this fight moves forward."
"I voted no on HB 1D because the proposed map does not address any of the justifications offered for taking it up. We were told a new map was needed to correct census undercounts, but this plan relies on the same 2020 Census data as the enacted map. We were told it was needed to address malapportionment from population growth, but every district is drawn to exactly equal population using that same older data, with no adjustment for growth since 2020. We were told it was needed to respond to pending litigation in Louisiana v. Callais, but the U.S. Supreme Court has not yet ruled in that case, and this Legislature should not redraw lines based on speculation about how it might rule. When the proposed remedy does not match the stated problem, we should pause and ask why. For these reasons, I voted no."
"Alianza for Progress will not stand by while politicians try to erase what our community has built. Congressional District 9 was not given to us, it was won. It was won through decades of organizing, through families showing up, through everyday residents refusing to be ignored. And now, Gov. DeSantis and Republican leaders want to wipe that away, not because the population demands it or because the law requires it, but because our community is growing and they are scared. Osceola County is the fastest-growing county in Florida. Our people are here. We are building lives, raising children, and shaping this state's future, and we have every legal right, under the Voting Rights Act and Florida's own Fair Districts Constitutional Amendments, to elect leaders who actually represent us. We urge every elected official, every community leader, and every Floridian who believes in democracy to stand with us because this is not just a fight over lines on a map, it is a fight for our freedom."
"The state legislature and governor approved a new map this week, and it appears to comply with the case the Supreme Court upheld this week in terms of maps and districts. It complies with the Voting Rights Act and that’s a relief. I was happy to see that. I was glad to see the Supreme Court upheld that it doesn’t allow for race-based gerrymandering. This seemed important to the people of Florida. And I’m glad that they completed the map when they did. Now voters can go to the polls in August and make their choices."
"This is a strong example of decisive leadership and a system that can move with clarity when it matters. Florida lawmakers acted quickly following new legal guidance, aligning the state’s map with current Constitutional interpretations while keeping the election process on track. It also reflects a broader principle: elections should be conducted under clear, updated rules — not outdated assumptions. Adjusting timelines and districts now helps ensure voters and candidates operate on a defined, transparent playing field heading into the midterms. Debate is expected — that’s part of a healthy republic — but this moment shows the process working: leadership acts, the law guides, and any remaining questions get resolved through the courts. That’s how the system is supposed to function."
"The Florida Legislature just passed House Bill 1D, a secretly redrawn congressional map intended to rig upcoming elections and keep Trump’s Republican Party in power. It doesn’t matter what happened in other states like California, Texas or Virginia. In Florida, partisan gerrymandering that benefits one party over another is completely illegal as prohibited in Article III, Section 20 of our state Constitution.
"No governor has the authority to unilaterally declare our constitutional rights invalid absent a court order. The enactment of these corrupt and illegal maps is an act of total lawlessness encouraged by administration officials who repeatedly told lawmakers they “don’t need to comply” with Florida law.
"As a state senator who swore an oath to uphold and defend the U.S. and state Constitution, I must comply with the law regardless of political pressure or partisan demands. I cannot and will not legitimize a map that violates our Constitution and silences voters. Floridians deserve free and democratic elections where voters choose their representatives, not the other way around. I cast my vote in strong opposition to HB 1D."
"What the Florida Legislature passed yesterday is not lawmaking. It is an attack on democracy. Floridians made their voices clear in 2010 when they voted to ban partisan gerrymandering. That is the law of this state. Yet Governor DeSantis and Republican lawmakers have chosen to ignore it, drawing maps behind closed doors, relying on partisan data, targeting four sitting members of Congress, and weakening the representation of communities of color. This was done without transparency and without a credible, open process. It stands in direct conflict with our state constitution. The fact that the map was shared with Fox News before it was provided to the Legislature speaks volumes about the priorities behind this effort.
"I will stand with every Floridian whose vote is being diluted by this power grab. Legal challenges are coming, and I am confident the courts will reject this unconstitutional gerrymander. The people of Florida deserve maps that reflect their communities, not the political ambitions of any one individual."
"This is exactly what Floridians voted to stop. A rushed, mid-decade redraw with no new data and no transparency. It ignores our Constitution and silences communities. Voters should choose their representatives. Full stop."
"I voted no on HB 1D because the proposed map is against the Florida Constitution, specifically the Fair Districts Amendments of 2010 that was approved by 63 percent of voters. The proposed map abandons existing political and geographic boundaries at a rate that cannot be justified on neutral grounds. The Florida Constitution directs us to use such boundaries when possible because they reflect real communities.
"This map also denies minorities an equal opportunity to participate in the political process, amounting to unconstitutional gerrymandering. The Fair Districts Amendments are explicit: districts shall not be drawn with the intent or result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial or language minorities to participate in the political process or to diminish their ability to elect representatives of their choice.
"During the committee presentation, nobody could answer any questions relating to the fiscal impact or taxpayer cost tied to this map implementation. Florida taxpayers deserve answers before we spend their money."
