The voter-approved amendment requires that lawmakers draw districts without favoring political parties or incumbents.
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Florida legislative staffers are still in the process of redrawing the state’s congressional district map, a job assigned by Republican leaders in advance of a redistricting special session that begins Monday.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, of Jacksonville, filed new legal action on Thursday, which essentially makes her an “intervener”, someone who takes a legal side in the battle. Forget party affiliation – that’s not the issue here.
Lawmakers aren’t allowed to factor partisan politics in their new map. “What matters is that you have somebody that represents you at the table”, she said.
“It’s about drawing districts that put communities of interest together”.
The proposed changes to her district are also far reaching.
Redistricting is an important part of the democratic process. It’s one of several districts the Florida Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional.
Brown’s lawsuit comes a day after the state legislature released a draft redistricting plan that completely changes her 5th District – a long, spindly seat that meanders from Jacksonville south to Orlando.
Various components of the Court’s ruling will impact the manner in which both lawmakers and members of the public offer comments, suggestions and alternatives leading up to and during the special session.
“We have more in common in Leon County with Bay county than we do with Duval County”, he said, echoing Brown’s sentiment. “As a people, African Americans have fought too hard to get to where we are now, and we certainly are not taking any steps backwards”.
“The member should also be able to provide a non-partisan and incumbent-neutral justification for the proposed configuration of each district, to explain in detail the results of any functional analysis performed to ensure that the ability of minorities to elect the candidates of their choice is not diminished, and to explain how the proposal satisfies all of the constitutional and statutory criteria applicable to a congressional redistricting plan”, wrote Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island. Stacking the districts, rather than having them parallel each other, would give more clout to Broward – even if there still would be no Broward-only district.
Overall, 22 of Florida’s 27 congressional districts would be altered by the proposal. Brown is suing in federal court to block any changes. “So they have to walk a very fine line here”.
“The vote on that map – whether to accept it, reject it or amend it – would be the first decision the Legislature makes”, Betta said. Since Democrats tend to be in urban areas, they are more likely to be grouped in fewer districts.
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A 5-2 Florida Supreme Court ruling later upheld Lewis’ decision. McDonald said the Florida ruling was the first time in American history a court struck down a redistricting plan and ordered a new one based on partisan gerrymandering.
