Florida Redistricting Amendments

AP
Jan 29, 2009

Florida Redistricting Amendments
01/29/09 - 03:31 PM

Associated Press
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Tallahassee, Fla:

The Florida Supreme Court has given the green light for two amendments to go on the ballot that would change the way districts are drawn for state lawmakers and members of Congress.

The proposals would ban political favoritism in redistricting, also known as gerrymandering. They would set standards prohibiting lawmakers from drawing districts that favor incumbents or political parties.

Districts are drawn every ten years after the census. In 2002, the Republican-controlled Legislature created some districts that wind around Florida, instead of focusing on a region.

For example, the district of Republican Congressman Ander Crenshaw winds around the city of Jacksonville and then stretches west all the way to Tallahassee.

The proposed constitutional amendments aim to prevent that type of situation by mandating that all districts follow city and county boundaries and are compact.

Common Cause Florida is one of the groups pushing the amendments. Spokesman Ben Wilcox calls Florida one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation.

Wilcox says one of the negative effects of gerrymandering is that politicians become less accountable to voters because their seats are so safe.

The redistricting amendments are sponsored by FairDistrictsFlorida.org. Supporters still have to collect enough signatures to place the measures on the ballot in 2010.

Chairman Thom Rumberger says he’s confident the group will get the amendments on the ballot and that they’ll pass. He says people are fed up with the current system.

But Sen. Mike Haridopolos says he’s afraid the measures would increase chances the courts will ultimately decide how districts are redrawn. Haridopolos, who’s in line to lead the Senate during the next reapportionment in 2012, says the last thing he wants is the rule of the few.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)