NAACP Pushes Back Against DeSantis Redistricting

Staff Reports
December 15, 2025
4:10 pm
Crestview, Government, Okaloosa County, State Government

In Brief:

The NAACP Okaloosa County Branch opposes Governor DeSantis’ proposed congressional redistricting plan.
The organization warns that the plan would weaken minority voting power and unfairly increase Republican representation.
The NAACP calls on lawmakers and courts to adopt fair, transparent, and inclusive redistricting maps.

Crestview, FL — December 15, 2025 — The Okaloosa County Branch of the NAACP has voiced strong opposition to Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed congressional redistricting plan, warning that it could weaken the voting power of Black communities and other marginalized groups across Florida.

In a statement released Monday, the organization said redistricting should prioritize fairness, transparency, and adherence to the Voting Rights Act—not partisan advantage. “Governor DeSantis’ proposal threatens to reverse decades of progress toward equal representation by dismantling districts where Black voters have historically had the opportunity to elect candidates who reflect their communities,” the branch leadership said.

Currently, Florida holds 28 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, with Republicans occupying 20 and Democrats 8. Under the Governor’s proposed map, Republican representation would increase to 26 of 28 seats, the NAACP said. The organization warned that such a shift could diminish minority voters’ ability to elect candidates of their choice and undermine public confidence in the democratic process.

“This is not just about lines on a map—it’s about whether every Floridian has an equitable voice in the democratic process,” the branch emphasized. “Districts designed to reduce minority voting power suppress community voices, decrease accountability, and erode trust in our institutions.”

The NAACP Okaloosa County Branch reaffirmed its commitment to defending the right to vote and pledged to actively oppose any redistricting efforts that threaten equity and fair representation. The group is calling on lawmakers, courts, and community leaders to reject partisan-driven maps and instead adopt plans that uphold inclusivity and fairness.