Voters Beware
Washington,
Oct 29 -
Every ten years, following the decennial census, congressional districts all across the country are reapportioned to reflect changes in population that have occurred. For instance, as you may know, Florida is expected to gain two new seats in Congress because of the large number of people who have moved into the state in the last decade. As part of the process of adding new districts, the borders of existing congressional districts will change even more than usual. Redistricting is an important issue for all states in our form of representative democracy, but it is especially so now for Florida residents.
Sadly, there is danger on the horizon. This year, among a number of other issues, Florida voters are being presented with Constitutional Amendments 5 and 6 on the ballot. These amendments deal with the way congressional districts are reapportioned. Specifically, the amendments that will be before you on election day would change current law which says that congressional districts must be drawn “fairly”, that they be “as equal in population as feasible”, and that they must use “city, county, and geographical boundaries”.
Instead, Amendments 5 and 6 would provide that if any redistricting plan helps or hurts any incumbent or political party, the plan would be subject to litigation. Think for a moment about what that means. If an incumbent likes the new redistricting plans, somebody can sue. If the incumbent doesn’t like the new plans, somebody can sue. In other words, no matter how the lines are drawn, no matter who draws them, somebody is going to have legal standing to sue. And when have you ever known ambulance chasing lawyers to pass up a chance at that? But don’t take my word for it, read the analysis of the proposed Amendments 5 and 6 done by the James Madison Institute.
Finally, I want to state in the most unequivocal terms how important I believe it is that we ensure that redistricting is fair to all Florida residents. All citizens in the state deserve a right to be heard as equals. That’s how the founders intended it to be. That is why I am very proud that our state already uses fairness and natural geographical features as the primary tools to determining where district lines fall. Frankly, I don’t want to see that precedent tossed aside in favor of an all-you-can-sue buffet for the lawyers. That is why I will be voting “no” on Amendments 5 and 6.
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