A new Florida redistricting map likely to touch off lawsuits

Florida lawmakers are scheduled to begin a four-day special session on Monday to consider the redrawing of congressional districts, a process that could unleash a flurry of litigation if a new congressional map is approved.

In January, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a proclamation saying the session would take place this week, but that time frame was postponed. The governor called on the Legislature to consider a new mid-decade congressional map that would more accurately reflect the state’s population growth and possible redistricting guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court.

But the high court’s anticipated opinion in Louisiana v. Callais, which could weaken provisions of the federal Voting Rights Act, has yet to be issued. And the special session has been recast to include two other topics: proposed legislation to better safeguard children from the advance of artificial i...