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Circuit Judge Terry Lewis has ruled state lawmakers illegally drew the state’s congressional map to benefit the Republican Party and in so doing “made a mockery” of lawmakers proclaimed transparency. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the ruling won’t effect who you vote for this November, but it could impact voters (across the state in 2016.

The judge has ruled that two of the 27 congressional districts are unconstitutional, but redrawing the maps could lead to changes across the state. Jessica Lowe-Minor  from the League of Women Voters, which brought the law suit,  calls the decision historic.

“This judge firmly found, with no questions asked that there had been improper intent in drawing the maps” says Lowe-Minor.

The judge concluded political operatives drew maps, passed them on to third parties…who submitted them, thus avoiding scrutiny if their authors were known.The maps  was later praised as an example of public participation and then adopted.

Congressional District 5, which snakes from Jacksonville to Orlando was found to be invalid because it was packed with African American Democrats. That made surrounding districts more white and Republican. CD 10 in Central Florida was also thrown out because it’s odd shape worked to increase GOP voting performance.

In his 41 page ruling the judge also questioned why the legislative leadership and their staff members destroyed emails and documents relating to the map drawing. The judge noted there was no legal duty to preserve the emails, but then wondered why they were’t saved when leadership knew a lawsuit was “a moral certainity.”

The judge specifically said challenges to districts in Pinellas County and South Florida could not be proven. The League of Women Voters says the ruling is just the beginning.

“We’re seeing the impacts now, you know these types of secretive behind closed doors processes can’t continue” says Lowe-Minor.

The ruling is certain to be appealed, and it will be the Florida Supreme Court that has the final say.

While the ruling applied only to Congressional maps, The judge noted the same consultants found to be part of the map drawing conspiracy also worked on State Senate maps, which could now be open to challenge.