DeSantis asked for a map that would eliminate the current 5th Congressional District, one of the four black pluralist districts in the state, and previously proposed his own map to do just that. The area connects black communities from Tallahassee to Jacksonville and is represented by U.S. MP Al Lawson, a Black Democrat from Tallahassee. Opponents say the proposed DeSantis Charter unconstitutionally reduces the ratio of minority voters in the state. Florida is one of five states without a definitive map, which is required by the states every 10 years after the US census. “Our goal in all of this is to have a constitutional charter,” DeSantis said. The Republican-controlled state House and Senate approved a map earlier this month despite a veto threat from DeSantis. The proposal also included a backup map that faithfully adhered to the current map, with some adjustments to include a 28th Congressional District added after the most recent U.S. census. DeSantis said he could also ask lawmakers to consider passing a new law during the special session that would allow residents to carry firearms in Florida without a permit. Gun owners in Florida must currently obtain a concealed firearm license to carry a firearm in public.
