TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) —A group of residents from Tampa and St. Pete is coming together to sue the state over a Senate map finalized in early 2022.
They believe the state racially gerrymandered Districts 16 and 18, which encompasses parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
Their indication the map was racially motivated is how the lines deviate from traditional redistricting criteria.
The group claims state legislature unnecessarily divided St. Petersburg and Pinellas County and lumped parts of St. Pete and Tampa together in District 16 because they are both predominantly black areas.
The lawsuit says the state packed black voters into District 16 and in turn, took away their influence in District 18.
The Senate President Pro Tempore Dennis Baxley questioned why these residents are just now bringing up their concerns when the map has been finalized for two years.
Baxley sent out a memo to senators saying the state would defend the unanimously approved work of this body.