AOTL: New Florida Congressional District Should Follow Fair Districts Criteria
For Immediate Release:
April 26, 2021
Contact:
Fabiola Rodriguez
rodriguez@redistrictingaction.org
AOTL: New Florida Congressional District Should Follow Fair Districts Criteria
A Fair Map follows the Fair Districts Amendments that were overwhelmingly supported by the people of Florida in 2010
Today, the Census Bureau released apportionment data based on the 2020 census count that determines the number of seats each state in the country has in the United States House of Representatives. Based on this new data, Florida will now have 28 congressional members, an increase of one seat over the past decade. The people of Florida deserve a map that gives them an opportunity to elect members of Congress that fairly represent the growing and diverse population in every corner of the state, while faithfully following the Fair Districts constitutional provisions.
“All On The Line strongly believes that the congressional and state senate maps, which were recently redrawn as a result of litigation, should see minimal changes, particularly those districts that were a main focus of that process, such as the current 5th congressional district,” said Katie Vicsik, Florida All On The Line State Director. “Florida's current congressional map should be used as a benchmark map when the legislature begins to draft new maps, while taking into account population changes, such as Florida's population growth along the I-4 Corridor between Tampa and Orlando. Politicians in Florida should stop protecting themselves and draw a map that gives power back to the people. That means following the Fair Districts Amendments that were overwhelmingly supported by the people of Florida in 2010 and drawing a map that reflects the political make-up of the state.”
“During the redistricting process last decade, legislators ignored the Fair Districts Amendments while drawing maps for the congressional delegation. While a lawsuit helped remedy the gerrymandered districts, Floridians still deserve better from their elected representatives. All On The Line will do everything in our power to ensure that there is a fair and transparent process that results in a map where both parties have to compete to win the support of voters,” continued Vicsik.
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