Gov. Ron DeSantis Calls for Special Session to Discuss Redistricting

Florida residents may find themselves in new congressional voting districts if Gov. Ron DeSantis moves forward with his call for redistricting.

On Jan. 7, DeSantis issued a proclamation announcing a special session of the Florida Legislature to address congressional redistricting.

“Every Florida resident deserves to be represented fairly and constitutionally,” DeSantis said. “Today, I announced that I will be convening a special session of the Legislature focused on redistricting to ensure that Florida’s congressional maps accurately reflect the population of our state and to comply with an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court ruling.”

DeSantis said the special session will take place after the regular legislative session, allowing lawmakers to first address other issues before focusing on redistricting in April.

According to the governor’s proclamation, lawmakers will convene in Tallahassee at noon on April 20 and adjourn no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 24.

During that time, the Legislature will meet solely to consider legislation related to drawing Florida’s congressional districts and to appropriate funds for any related legal challenges, consistent with Article III, Section 3(c)(1) of the Florida Constitution.

Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd has also issued a directive declaring 2026 a year of apportionment for candidate qualification.

Redistricting typically occurs every 10 years following the decennial census to reflect population changes. However, DeSantis said Florida’s population has shifted since the 2020 Census and that adjustments should be made before the 2030 Census.

DeSantis said he does not have a political motive for calling the special session, stating that the move is necessary due to his expectation that the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn long-standing legal interpretations of the Voting Rights Act. Those interpretations have led states to create congressional districts designed to ensure minority voters can elect candidates of their choice.

DeSantis said he believes such districts are improper and expects the court’s conservative majority to support his position in a pending case from Louisiana.

Some critics argue the move aligns with broader national political efforts, noting that former President Donald Trump has publicly encouraged redistricting in other states, including Texas, to preserve Republican control of the U.S. House. DeSantis has denied that national politics played a role in his decision.