Florida Newspapers on Fair Districting

[FayeforCure]

Florida has more registered Democrats than it has registered Republicans, yet the 2002 redistricting resulted in 7 Democratic Congressional Districts and 18 Republican Congressional Districts.

Lumping Democrats in very few Democratic majority Districts has effectively meant that these districts are won by a 80-20 margin by Democrats.

Having Republicans spread out in more Republican majority districts has meant those districts are won by Republicans by a 60-40 margin.

In 2012 there will be re-districting again, and Fair Districting is working to require districts not to favor one party over another.

Here is what Florida News Papers say about the Fair Districting effort:

"Every 10 years, the Florida Constitution requires the Legislature to work together to undermine the concept of 'one person, one vote.'" (Daytona News Journal)

"Gerrymandering isn't anything new, and it's beloved by incumbents because it keeps possible challengers with their noses pressed against almost unbreakable glass." (Tallahassee Democrat)

"David Winston, a consultant who has helped Republicans redraw boundaries nationally, is not coy about the results... 'When I, as a mapmaker, have more of an impact on an election than the voters, the system in out of whack.'" (SP Times)

"It's akin to choosing your hand in a poker game. If you pick a bunch of winning cards, it's a lot less likely your opponent â€" if you draw one â€" will be dealt a hand that can beat you." (Tallahassee Democrat)

"Legislators who represent such safe districts are less accountable to voters. They are more likely to cater to their party's base in office than to seek bipartisan solutions to pressing problems." (Orlando Sentinel)

"The fact is, the rules of redistricting serve the interests of politicians more than voters. That discourages broader participation in politics by potential candidates and voters alike, and also deepens cynicism among citizens." (Tallahassee Democrat)

"The simple and overriding truth is that gerrymandering by either party is an affront to democracy and to the expectation that all men and women are equal under the law." (Sarasota Herald Tribune)

"Make politicians earn re-election; don't let it continue being an entitlement." (Florida Times Union)

How? "Fair Districts Florida is currently in the process of collecting 1.6 million petitions to get 2 questions on the 2010 ballot that will end this cynical practice and put power back into the hands of voters."  (FairDistrictsFlorida.org)

"Voters have good reason to see these initiatives make the ballot. A logical electoral map that keeps neighborhoods together could reinvigorate a healthy two-party system where voters pick their politicians rather than the other way around." (Tampa Tribune)

"You are the people, so stand up and sign the petitions." (Florida Today)

Please go to  http://www.fairdistrictsflorida.org/  to print petitions, sign BOTH of them, and mail them in.

Then, email this to everyone you know!

[gmpalmer]

Gerrymandering also gives us District 3 and the most reprehensible Representative to walk the earth.

[Deuce]

That's my district and I agree. She's horrible. I'm printing the petitions out now.