Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I suggest that you could add some perspective beyond simply declaring partisan gerrymandering to be “legal.” The US Supreme Court has recognized that partisan gerrymandering is contrary to democracy, but 6 years ago they decided not to treat this as a matter for federal courts. See
The Florida legislature could make partisan gerrymandering illegal in Florida. They won’t.
We Floridians could create a fair system, modeled after some other US states. We could do this via a constitutional amendment. We should try to do that.
I expect that you know all this, but I encourage you to encourage your readers to take action.
Thanks for this addendum, and it is definitely a topic for further consideration. I thought about including that, but elected not to get entangled on that in this particular post. But it needs more attention, I agree. And you have done that! Thank you. I am unaware of any initiatives to address this in Florida, but as you suggest, now might be the time. It would be worthwhile to survey what other states have done to create a model for Florida.
Legal developments in Florida (pages 5-7) regard challenges following the 2010 census. I’m curious about more recent developments.
I agree with you that now would be a smart time to develop a Constitutional amendment, if needed. Perhaps enough Floridians of every political leaning recognize that partisan gerrymandering is anti-democratic and therefore un-American and un-Floridian.
Even if the courts allow it to stand in Texas, there is serious conjecture that their jiggering could backfire and lead to more Democratic wins, especially in the expected Blue Wave year we have next year. After all, this isn't an exact science and there is also some incompetence involved anytime we're talking about today's R party. Thirdly, the mere fact that they are doing this should anger/motivate more Dems. to vote. Let's hope the same things apply to our state.
This is an excellent treatment of the redistricting activity currently at the committee level in Tallahassee in advance of the January session. Thank you! The first hearing will be on December 4. Help fill the room or, better, ask to testify.
[NPA (No Party Affiliation) is different from Independent, which is an actual political party with members like Angus King (ME) and Bernie Sanders (VT.) If there were ever two or more Independents running for the same office, they would get to have a Primary.]
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I suggest that you could add some perspective beyond simply declaring partisan gerrymandering to be “legal.” The US Supreme Court has recognized that partisan gerrymandering is contrary to democracy, but 6 years ago they decided not to treat this as a matter for federal courts. See
https://legalclarity.org/why-gerrymandering-isnt-always-illegal/
The Florida legislature could make partisan gerrymandering illegal in Florida. They won’t.
We Floridians could create a fair system, modeled after some other US states. We could do this via a constitutional amendment. We should try to do that.
I expect that you know all this, but I encourage you to encourage your readers to take action.
Thanks for this addendum, and it is definitely a topic for further consideration. I thought about including that, but elected not to get entangled on that in this particular post. But it needs more attention, I agree. And you have done that! Thank you. I am unaware of any initiatives to address this in Florida, but as you suggest, now might be the time. It would be worthwhile to survey what other states have done to create a model for Florida.
Here’s a starting point: https://statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1683/2024/06/Explainer-Status-of-Partisan-Gerrymandering-Claims-Across-the-Country-Harry-Isaiah-Black.pdf
Legal developments in Florida (pages 5-7) regard challenges following the 2010 census. I’m curious about more recent developments.
I agree with you that now would be a smart time to develop a Constitutional amendment, if needed. Perhaps enough Floridians of every political leaning recognize that partisan gerrymandering is anti-democratic and therefore un-American and un-Floridian.
Lead us, kind sir!
Even if the courts allow it to stand in Texas, there is serious conjecture that their jiggering could backfire and lead to more Democratic wins, especially in the expected Blue Wave year we have next year. After all, this isn't an exact science and there is also some incompetence involved anytime we're talking about today's R party. Thirdly, the mere fact that they are doing this should anger/motivate more Dems. to vote. Let's hope the same things apply to our state.
This is an excellent treatment of the redistricting activity currently at the committee level in Tallahassee in advance of the January session. Thank you! The first hearing will be on December 4. Help fill the room or, better, ask to testify.
[NPA (No Party Affiliation) is different from Independent, which is an actual political party with members like Angus King (ME) and Bernie Sanders (VT.) If there were ever two or more Independents running for the same office, they would get to have a Primary.]