State seeks to shield Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis from redistricting case

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Attorneys for Secretary of State Laurel Lee objected Monday to the possibility of Gov. Ron DeSantis being added as a defendant in a federal lawsuit challenging a new congressional redistricting plan.

Voting-rights groups and other plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in March as DeSantis and state lawmakers were at an impasse about a redistricting map.

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The initial version of the lawsuit requested a federal court to step in and set districts. But the Legislature in an April special session passed a DeSantis-backed redistricting plan.

The plaintiffs, who contend the new plan is unconstitutional, requested approval from a three-judge federal panel to file an amended lawsuit.

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In Monday’s filing, Lee’s attorneys did not take a position on whether an amended lawsuit could be filed.

But they objected to the possibility of the plaintiffs trying to add DeSantis as a defendant. They contended that Lee is the proper defendant as she is the chief election officer of the state.

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