Judges Uphold Florida Senate Redistricting Map in Tampa Bay

A panel of federal judges has upheld Florida’s 2022 Senate redistricting plan, rejecting claims that a Tampa Bay district was racially gerrymandered. The case centered on Senate District 16, which links parts of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties across the bay.

Court Ruling on Senate District 16

The plaintiffs, three Black residents from Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, argued that the district diluted minority voting power and violated constitutional equal-protection rights. They also claimed it diminished the influence of Black voters in Senate District 18, neighboring District 16.