Governor Ron DeSantis submitted a proposed congressional map to the Florida Legislature on April 27, 2026, which would remove Indian River County from Brevard's 8th Congressional District. The change is part of Senate Bill 8D, set for a Rules Committee hearing on Tuesday and a Senate floor vote on Wednesday. Under the current map, the 8th District includes all of Brevard County, all of Indian River County, and a small portion of east Orange County. The proposed plan would split Indian River from the district and expand the Orange County portion significantly, while keeping Brevard intact.
The map, filed as Senate Bill 8D, is part of a broader effort to redraw all 28 of Florida's congressional districts before the 2026 elections. The Governor's Office released a color-coded version of the map, projecting 24 Republican-leaning districts and four Democratic-leaning districts. This would shift from the current map, which has produced 20 Republican and eight Democratic seats, with one recently vacated. DeSantis cited a 1.5 million voter registration advantage for Republicans statewide as a rationale for the changes.
The proposed map has drawn attention in Brevard County, where residents and officials are assessing the potential impact on representation. Indian River County, which currently shares the 8th District with Brevard, would be placed into a new district that includes portions of Martin and St. Lucie counties. The move could alter voting patterns and influence election outcomes in the region.
DeSantis claimed the map 'more fairly represents the makeup of Florida today' in a statement to Fox News. The plan is expected to face scrutiny during the Rules Committee hearing, with lawmakers and advocates analyzing its compliance with federal redistricting guidelines. The Senate floor vote on Wednesday will determine whether the proposal moves forward for a full legislative vote.
Local leaders in Brevard and Indian River have yet to formally comment on the map. With the 2026 elections approaching, the redrawn districts could reshape political dynamics across the Space Coast and beyond. The final version of the map will depend on legislative negotiations and potential amendments during the Special Session.