A judge in Tallahassee has ordered Florida legislators to hold a special session to draw up a new congressional map, and the new districts must be drawn in two weeks.

Circuit Judge Terry Lewis ruled Friday that the Florida Legislature must draw up new congressional districts by August 15.

Lewis said he will then order a special election later this year for those new districts.

Legislative leaders had wanted to keep in place the state's current districts ▼ until after the 2014 elections.

Lewis has already previously ruled the current districts are illegal because they were drawn to benefit the Republican Party.

Voters in 2010 passed the "Fair Districts" amendment that says legislators cannot draw up districts to favor incumbents or a political party.

“The way I see it, the court ruled in favor of Florida voters,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL).  “But, unfortunately, I expect the state might try to appeal to delay having to carry out the court’s directive before the election.”

What does the ruling mean?
 
"Absolutely going to be a logistical nightmare," said Chris Ingram (R), political analyst. "Not only is it going to be a nightmare, but probably at the end of the day very little in these maps is going to change that’s going to affect the outcome of an election."

Political Analyst Ana Cruz (D) said the judge's timing is profound.

"Judge Lewis’s ruling is telling the legislature you may be able to try and manipulate redistricting through the legislative process, but I’m not going to allow you to fool the voters in my courtroom."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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League of Women Voters react to ruling

The League of Women Voters of Florida released the following statement Friday following Judge Lewis' ruling:

This is a champagne moment for Florida voters, who have waited too long for fairly drawn congressional districts. Per his ruling, Judge Lewis has laid out a path that will allow all Florida voters, for the first time in decades, to elect their representatives in fair and constitutional districts. 

We believe that the restoration of legitimate, representative democracy is well worth one extra trip to the polls.

Although it is deplorable that the Legislature's failure to follow the standards laid out in the state Constitution has led us to this place, now that they have been tasked with redrawing the districts between now and August 15, it is critical that their process follows the will of the people and adheres to the letter and spirit of Fair Districts amendments 5 and 6, as they were passed by an overwhelming majority of the electorate in 2010.

Judge Lewis has shown that legislative violation of our Constitution will not be tolerated, will have consequences, and that the will of the people will be enforced. This gives hope to other states grappling with the cancer of political gerrymandering and the League is thrilled to see that the people's voice has been heard.

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Florida's 2012 congressional map

Ruled unconstitutional in July 2012 by Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis.

Click to enlarge.