NAACP, Voting Rights Advocates File Amicus Brief in Challenge to Florida’s New Congressional Map

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2026

MEDIA CONTACTS:
NAACP: [email protected]
Advancement Project: [email protected]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Florida State Conference of the NAACP, Dream Defenders, The Black Collective, Advancement Project, and Community Justice Project filed an amicus brief to support a coalition of voting rights organizations and individuals seeking to overturn Florida's new congressional redistricting map. The brief urges Florida appellate courts to reinstate Florida's previous district boundaries, which were enacted in 2022, for the upcoming midterm elections while the litigation continues. The full amicus brief is available here.

The organizations filed the brief in the Florida Supreme Court and the First District Court of Appeal. Both courts are hearing appeals of the Leon CountyCircuit Court's May 26 order rejecting requests to temporarily block the new map. The 2026 congressional map was drawn by the Governor's office without public input and rammed through the Florida Legislature in less than two days.

The voting rights advocates' amicus brief argues that there is no factual or legal support for the Circuit Court's suggestion that the original 2022 map was tainted by racial considerations. The brief points out that state and federal courts have upheld the 2022 map, and that the State is defending the 2022 map right now against claims it was racially gerrymandered in another case.

"This Florida congressional map threatens to dilute the political power of Black voters and undermines hard-fought protections against racial discrimination in redistricting," said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. "The Fair Districts Amendments were enacted to ensure that Black communities have a fair and equal opportunity to elect representatives of their choice, not to be erased through rushed, closed-door map-drawing. We urge the courts to restore the 2022 map and safeguard Black voters' voices while this litigation proceeds."

The amicus brief also points out that Florida's Fair Districts Amendments (FDA), which were enacted by Florida voters in 2010 with nearly 63 percent of the vote, remain constitutional following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais. The Fair Districts Amendments prohibit partisan gerrymandering and racial discrimination in redistricting, among implementing other fair districting practices.

"Florida is working hard to silence the voices of Black communities and other communities of color," said Hani Mirza, Director of the Power & Democracy Program at Advancement Project. "We are proud to support Black and brown communities in Florida push back against the State's actions alongside NAACP Florida, Democracy Defenders, The Black Collective, and Community Justice Project. We remain firm in our call to reinstate the 2022 map for the upcoming elections and protect the Fair Districts Amendments."

"Florida NAACP worked tirelessly in 2010 to enshrine the Fair Districts Amendments into the Florida Constitution," said Florida NAACP President Donald Hart, Sr. "We worked to immortalize the will of the people who demanded that maps not be drawn with partisan intent. But, state lawmakers have just enacted a congressional map to favor one political party while stealing power from voters, especially Black and brown voters. Florida NAACP will continue to fight for a Florida big enough for all voters to participate in."

The full amicus brief is available here. For interviews, contact: [email protected] or [email protected].

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About the NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund - also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

About Advancement Project

Advancement Project is a next-generation, multi-racial civil rights organization. Rooted in the great human rights struggles for equality and justice, we exist to fulfill America's promise of a caring, inclusive, and just democracy. We use innovative tools and strategies to strengthen social movements and achieve high-impact policy change. Visit www.advancementproject.org to learn more.