MyDD :: ACTION: Redistricting In Florida

ACTION: Redistricting In Florida

by FloridaD, Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 11:34:09 AM EST

If you are from Florida, go and sign this petition now. In no state is redistrcting more needed. If there is a fair map, then Florida, on its own, could net Demcorats five or six of the thirteen seats they need to retake the House. and that isn't even talking about 2012 and beyond when Florida will gain even more seats--Chris

A group in Florida has launched a website to begin gathering petitions to change redistricting in the state. All registered voters in Florida, please go to www.committeeforfairelections.com and download the petitions.

This is the most important issues for Florida Democrats. While more people are registered democrat than republican, the state is dominated by republicans thanks to extreme gerrymandering. If we ever want to pick up congressional seats in this state, the only way to do it is to take the power to draw districts out of the hands of the republican controlled legislature.

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Two things (none / 0)

First, even though Dems still outnumber Republicons by a reasonable margin here in the Sunshine State, don't forget that many of those Dems are rural North Floridians who haven't solidly voted Dem nationally since 1980. They do vote Dem in local elections, but don't make the mistake of counting on them the same way you would a Broward County Dem.

Second, any effort would ulitmately be administered by the Republicon-dominated Florida House, Senate and Governor ... and I don't really want them presiding over a redistricting process any more than I have to. Let's win back the FL Senate (the House is mathematically out of reach for a few cycles) and the Governor's office and THEN redistrict.

by Thirsty Gator on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 10:06:14 AM EST

Re: Two things (none / 0)

No No No. You have this all wrong.

The petitions that the Committee for Fair Elections is proposing would create a bi-partisan commission to draw district. The republican controlled legislature and Jeb Bush would be Removed from the process.

As shown by the recent senate race, Florida is about a 50-50 state. However they controll 18 of 25 congressional seats. Why?? Becuase the republican legislature gerrymandered districts to benefit themselves.

And we will never win back the state house because of this gerrymandering. Not one single state legislator last last cycle. Not one. All districts are gerrymandered to ensure that they are uncompetitive. We will never take back the state house without this redistricting effort. It is the most important issue for our party.

by FloridaD on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 10:21:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm not saying it's not important (none / 0)

Certainly it is. But maybe fielding a candidate for every race would be a good start for the party. We're not gonna win SQUAT if we don't start fielding candidates.

As far as this redistricting effort goes, it sounds great. But you know what? Nothing's bulletproof. Jeb and the boys can hijack damn-near anything. If you don't believe me, check out their work on higher education recently. What should have been a bulletproof constitutional amendment ended up being completely perverted by Jeb and the other Republicons.

The sad reality is that nobody but the Florida Democratic machine is to blame for the slide of elected Florida Democrats. The Republicons have outworked and ouplanned us for a decade.

by Thirsty Gator on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 10:38:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm not saying it's not important (none / 0)

There are districts in Florida that are gerrymandered to be so overwhelmingly republican that Bob Graham could not come close to winning in those areas. So why would anybody run for them?? We need to level the playing field, have districts that are not gerrymandered, so that we can run candidates for every office.

I agree that this effort isn't bulletproof, but it's a million times better than what we have now. By removing Jeb Bush and the republican legislature from the redistricting process, and creating standard to follow in drawing lines we stand a much better chance of winning.

by FloridaD on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 10:50:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm not saying it's not important (none / 0)

Couple of things...I agree with your observations about the Party. But in fact, the 1992 redistricting sealed our fate, and the 2002 process simply cemented our minority.

Without a major shift nationally, Democrats can not win a majority of seats in the legislature under this map. In fact, I believe the best case scenario for Democrats is 48 seats in time for the 2012 redistricting, and this means winning every competitive and marginally competitive open seat over the next three election cycles.

The State Senate side is in the same boat, with really only one competitive pick-up opportunity between now and the 2012 process. In fact, that one chance is this year.

The Congressional map is very similar. Reasonably, there is a two seat potential between now and 2012, though without some retirements, that is going to be difficult.

The problem is that quality legislative candidates don't want to face such difficult odds. With the cost of a competitive state house seat between $500K and 1 million, and state senate seat around two, who wants to climb that mountain against such odds?

I personally believe that the current map is making it harder for statewide candidates. In many areas of the state, it has been years since voters have seen quality Democrats on the ballot.

Without redistricting reform, it will be very difficult for Florida Democrats to get out of our current predicament.

by thelastdem on Sat Apr 02, 2005 at 11:08:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I heard (none / 0)

I hear that Betty Castor is campaigning for bipartisan redistricting (not as good as nonpartisan redistricting, but what the hell). Is this that same initiative and does it have a chance in hell of passing (a la Arizona in 2000)? Actually, I shouldn't even ask - you can bet Jeb will try and mess with the machines to make sure it doesn't pass.

by raginillinoian on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 11:06:04 AM EST

Re: I heard (none / 0)

This is the same group that Betty Castor is working with. It will pass easily as long as it gets on the ballot. That is the hard part. You have to have something like 750,000 signature to get in on the ballot.

by FloridaD on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 11:17:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I heard (none / 0)

Good.

SO PLEASE, IF YOU ARE A FLORIDA VOTER, SIGN THIS PETITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unless, of course, you want Republicans to continue their monopoly on the Sunshine State!

by raginillinoian on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 11:26:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I heard (none / 0)

Getting on the ballot really won't be that difficult -- we Floridians get all kinds of crazy stuff on our ballots -- and there's a very good chance of passage. HOWEVER ... please check Jeb's record on "enforcing" ballot measures after they pass. He won't do it. His party won't do it. If they do, it's not going to look like what you thought it would look like. And gerrymandering works both ways. Please take a look at Corrine Brown's district. You'll need a microscope to see the sliver of district that connects the Jacksonville portion with the Orlando portion. Are we prepared to give up seats like hers?

by Thirsty Gator on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 12:11:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I heard (none / 0)

We will not lose Corrine. What republicans have done is pack as many democrats as they can into districts so that republicans have majorities in the surrounding districts. If you compress Corrine's seat into just the Jacksonville area, she will still win, maybe by not as large a majority. That's why Kendrick Meek and Alcee Hastings (FL's other 2 african american democratic congressmen) have already signed on.

Yes, Jeb Bush was able to repeal high speed rail and is trying to do the same with class size. However this will go into effect immediately so we will have new districts for 2008. Even if Jeb tries to repeal it he couldn't do it until the 2008 election cycle.

I think, though, that he will have a hard time overturning this. He was able to convince people that we couldn't afford the train, that's why it lost and he is doing the same for class size. This won't cost anything. It is very popular. People dislike and distrust legislators. They aren't going to give this power back to them.

by FloridaD on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 12:23:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Thanks for posting that Florida D ... (none / 0)

by the way ... just noticed a post on this at Dailykos. It will be great if you can go there and put in a quick recommendation for that diary. This way ... we can really get the word out on this issue.

by MurshedZ on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 03:57:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Speaking of repeal (none / 0)

Perhaps Florida needs an amendment that says, "No amendment may be repealed through special election."

Support Regina Thomas, GA-12

by Drew on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 04:46:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm leaning against (none / 0)

Is there any chance of this happening?

If the Dems ask for a remap, which they aren't going to get, does this legitimize Republican abuses in other states?

Rrrinnggg... Time to change the government.

by Carl Nyberg on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 11:54:40 AM EST

Re: What?? (none / 0)

Yes there is a good chance of this happening. This group is bipartisan, it's being headed by Common Cause and supported by the League of Women Voters and many other nonpartisan groups. They have democrats like Bob Graham and Betty Castor supporting them, as well as a couple of Republican co-chairs.

Florida, like California, allows for citizens initiative to put on the balloted and voted on by the people. If this group is successful in getting the necessary number of signatures, it will be decided by the voters in Florida. This isn't a Tom Delay move. This is allowing the people to decide if they want to take redistricting out of the hands of the legislature. Polls have show that they do, and it will pass easily as long as it get on the ballot.

by FloridaD on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 12:08:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Common Cause is Behind This Too (none / 0)

Hi folks. As you know, we've been doing a lot of work around redistricting reform. We have been bloggin away about our redistricting reform efforts in Dem-dominated California, while we have a petition drive to stop DeLay style redistricting effort GOP-dominated Georgia. Now we are launching a major initiative in Florida as well.

Common Cause Florida is leading a coalition called "The Committee for Fair Elections" to stop unfair redistricting and put the power back in the hands of the people. We're asking Floridians for their help by signing three petitions and sending them in to The Committee for Fair Elections. You can find the petitions here:

http://www.commoncause.org/RedistrictFlorida

We're hoping to get one million people sign this petition and your help is essential. That is a massive number and we can use all of your help. Please forward this along to your friends and family in Florida. Here is the direct link:
http://www.commoncause.org/ForwardFloridaRedistrictingPetition

As always, if you have questions, comments, feedback about our redistricting efforts in Florida make sure to post your comments on our blog too.

by MurshedZ on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 03:18:06 PM EST

This is great! (none / 0)

Thanks Common Cause!

by DJ Francis on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 03:29:04 PM EST

The new website is better (none / 0)

But they really need a copy of the petitions on the website. From what I see, you have to fill out a form to even look at the wording of them.

Regardless, if anyone is a Floridian, or knows a Floridian, or knows someone who might know a Floridian, email them a link to the site. This is the best way to stop Republicans from using the redistricting process to draw themselves into power forever.

Now, if only we could do the same in Ohio and Michigan . . .

Support Regina Thomas, GA-12

by Drew on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 04:51:33 PM EST

Re: The new website is better (none / 0)

All you have to do is register on the site, give you name and email, and you can then download the petition. I did it, it's easy.

by FloridaD on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 04:55:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

But I don't want to register (none / 0)

And I shouldn't have to, if all I want to see is the wording of the petition.

I mean, I've read them before; they were up on the old site. Why aren't they available here?

Support Regina Thomas, GA-12

by Drew on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 05:03:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: But I don't want to register (none / 0)

The petitions are different, they have been reworded.

Like all web sites I'm sure they are trying to establish a list of supporters.

You had to register for MyDD.

by FloridaD on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 05:09:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I understand why they want the information (none / 0)

I don't think they should ask for it in return for such basic information about the campaign.

Support Regina Thomas, GA-12

by Drew on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 09:21:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Redistricting (none / 0)

has historically proven to be little more than an endless merry-go-round of gerrymandering. Instant run-off elections offer far greater potential for attaining a higher degree of both fairness and reflective representation.

by Seldom Seen Smith on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 05:29:31 PM EST

Re: Redistricting (none / 0)

Yes, when done by the legislature. The party in power gerrymanders districts to their benefit.

However, this group wants to create an independent commission to draw districts, taking the power out of the hands of the partisan legislature and governor.

Iowa has done this, and they have much more compact competitive districts.

by FloridaD on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 05:47:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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