U.S. REP. AL LAWSON STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR DESANTIS'S REQUEST FOR REDISTRICTING ADVISORY OPINION

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Ron DeSantis's request for a redistricting advisory opinion from the Florida Supreme Court:

"While disappointing, Ron DeSantis's continued assault on the rights of Black and minority voters is not a surprise. I hope that the Florida Supreme Court chooses to respect our separation of powers, rises above politics, and avoids wading into this partisan dispute.

"The Voting Rights Act of 1965 sought to protect the right to vote for minority communities. Ron DeSantis's effort to disenfranchise every minority voter north of Orlando is an act that will not go without a fight.

"Congressional redistricting is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and entrusted to the state's legislative branch. The Governor's role in redistricting is limited to the veto of the final map; however, his request seeks advice on how it must be drawn. The Governor seeks to push aside the Florida Legislature and highjack this constitutional process for his own political goals."

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