DeSantis delays Florida’s redistricting special session

The Hill ^ | 04/16/26 | Caroline Vakil

[MinorityRepublican]

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is delaying his special session on redistricting, issuing a proclamation on Wednesday that the state Legislature would convene between April 28 and May 1 instead of next week.

The rescheduled special session will also focus on issues related to artificial intelligence and medical freedom.

DeSantis initially called for a special session next week to take up the Sunshine State’s congressional lines but indicated earlier this week that there could be a delay as lawmakers finish budget negotiations.

“It’s possible you could do a little tweak, but you can’t really push it very far. You got to get it done probably within the next couple weeks,” DeSantis said at a press conference in Tallahassee earlier this week. “And so that will happen one way or another. Maybe on the date that was called, if they, you know, some folks have asked maybe a little bit more time.”

Florida is seen as the last opportunity for Republicans to redraw congressional lines before the midterms. Some have previously suggested Florida could net as many as five seats, though recent elections in the state have suggested redistricting could end up doing more harm than good for the party.

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TOPICS: Government; Politics/Elections; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: florida; redistricting; scotus; vra

[GAHeel]

Also, it delayed because SCOTUS is about to release it’s blockbuster VRA case that could add 10-15 seats in the South

[paltz]

It’s delayed b/c if the Virginia referendum is approved by voters on Tuesday, Virginia’s Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments on the constitutionality of the referendum by the 27th and a decision could come anytime after that.