Federal Judge K. Michael Moore has approved a City of Miami electoral district map that, after two years of disputes and lawsuits, reunited Coconut Grove and several other neighborhoods. Previous versions of the map had divided Coconut Grove, Overtown, Allapattah, and Edgewater by placing parts of those neighborhoods in new voting districts.
Judge Moore’s approval of the settlement agreement brings to an end a lawsuit against the City of Miami contending that the existing map constituted “racial gerrymandering.” Under the agreement, the 2023 election results will stand. Voters will go to the polls using the new map in 2025.
The judge’s action came as no surprise. In late May the City Commission voted 4-1 to accept the map. Commissioner Joe Carollo was the sole “no” vote.
A key provision of the settlement is the placement of a charter amendment on the 2025 City of Miami ballot to ban personal and politically motivated gerrymandering. It will also ask voters to approve creation of a Citizens’ Redistricting Committee to oversee future redistricting efforts, as is required periodically under the city code. “This settlement marks a pivotal moment for the City of Miami, one that heralds a new era of fair and just representation,” said Nicholas Warren, staff attorney with the ACLU of Florida. “By adopting the plaintiffs’ map, we are dismantling the barriers of racial gerrymandering and building a foundation for a more inclusive society. This victory is a testament to the resilience and power of community voices united in the pursuit of equity. We are grateful for the tireless efforts of the residents and organizations who fought to champion this cause.”