What to know about Tampa Bay's new districts
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Florida's new congressional map scrambled Tampa Bay, leaving voters unsure of what district they're in and who's running to represent them.
Why it matters: The districts drawn in 2022 were supposed to last a decade. Now, voters have five months to learn new ones before November's election.
Here's what to know.
🗺️ The map is in effect: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the new congressional map into law earlier this month, and despite ongoing litigation, it remains in effect for November.
- Voting rights groups have sued over the new map — arguing it is partisan and therefore illegal — and have asked a judge to block its use in this year's elections. No court has done so yet.
📍 Find where you fall in the new map: You can enter your address here to find your new congressional district.
🗳️ Who's in the running: Qualifying will take place on June 12, and the primary election is scheduled for Aug. 18. Until then, we cannot know for certain who will appear on your ballot in November.
- But some Tampa Bay incumbents whose districts have been redrawn have announced their intention to run for re-election anyway.
- These include: U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Palm Harbor) in District 12; U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa) in District 14; and U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee (R-Brandon) in District 15.
🔬 Between the lines: The changes particularly affect District 14, which used to include Keystone, Westchase, East Lake-Orient Park, downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg — and leaned Democratic.
- It now includes Plant City to rural Wimauma, while leaving East Tampa, some of Ybor City and all of Pinellas County outside the district lines, shedding nearly 50,000 Black residents, per the Tampa Bay Times.
- St. Petersburg is now lumped in with DeSoto and Hardee counties, and downtown Tampa with Citrus County. All of Tampa Bay's districts are now more favorable to Republicans.
Go deeper: How Florida's new congressional districts sliced up Tampa Bay