Florida Judge Must Decide Whether To Delay Map Fix

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – A Florida judge is holding a hearing Thursday to decide when the state's congressional districts will be redrawn.

During Circuit Judge Terry Lewis's hearing, the judge will consider what steps to take since ruling that current districts are illegal because they were drawn to benefit the state's Republican Party.

Legislative leaders say they want to wait until after the upcoming elections to redraw the districts.

A coalition of groups that sued the Florida Legislature wants the districts fixed now. They have asked Lewis to approve a new congressional map. The group also is suggesting postponing the Aug. 26 primary date so that the changes can be made.

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

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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