Judge approves new Florida congressional district map

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A Florida judge is giving his approval to a new congressional map that was redrawn by state legislators.

But Circuit Judge Terry Lewis on Friday also said that this year's elections will not use the new boundaries. Instead voters will pick members of Congress based on a map he declared invalid back in July. Lewis opted against calling a special election based on the new map.

State legislators earlier this month altered seven of 27 congressional districts after Lewis ruled the districts had been illegally drawn to benefit Republicans.

Lewis's ruling is a victory for the GOP-controlled Legislature.

But this means the legal battle could continue. Attorneys for the groups that sued the Legislature said recently they would not rule out the possibility of an appeal.