Updates: I will add links below to articles about redistricting as I find them (June 22):
I received this from the North Lake TEA Party Patriots on the process to decide new Florida House district lines that will be used for the next 10 years in elections.
I think it is important information, and gives you information on providing input regarding the formation of new House Districts for Florida.
Right now, I don't know that much about what advice to give, but I do know if at all possible, Districts should be compact and follow city or county lines, rather than run across multiple districts making it hard for cities or counties to have an impact on local elected officials.
Minorities will claim that compact districts may reduce their clout, while others want compact district lines that follow city or county lines to make representation easier for the new Representatives.
HERE is an Orlando Sentinel article on the redistricting.
One issue reported by a Tea Party attendee at a Pensacola meeting is that the committee did not bring any proposed maps and commenters said that it was a travesty if the region meeting attendees could not see the maps until they were later presented to lobbyists in Tallahassee.
He said he was disappointed that the committee held hearings without bringing proposed maps and warned them that if they hold hearings after the maps are drawn they better not hold them in Tallahassee.
“The pecking order of who gets heard in Tallahassee is not what it is in Pensacola,’’ he said. Lobbyists get the first say in Tallahassee, he added, while the public “is put at the end.”
In response, the Senate redistricting Chair said "if the legislators had shown up with maps, they would have heard complaints that they had made up their minds without hearing first from voters.
vj
Original memo from Tea Party:
Dear Patriots, as a result of the 2010 Census, each state has the opportunity to draw new US Congressional and Florida Legislative district boundaries so that each district roughly reflects equal population.
Because of population increases in our state, 2 additional US Congressional districts (25 to 27) are being added. The redistricting process is now underway by our State Legislature who is requesting citizen participation in order to accomplish this task in time for the 2012 presidential election.
Citizens may participate by
All those citizens interested in participating in the redistricting process, much useful information is listed below.
Florida House of Representatives – House Redistricting Committee
Redistricting Update – June 17, 2011
Public Participation Toolkit
The Florida House of Representatives’ public participation documents are updated to reflect the outreach being done for the upcoming public input meetings on redistricting. The meetings begin next week in Tallahassee on Monday, June 20, and will also include meetings in Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and Panama City. For more information regarding the meetings:
· Click Here to see the media advisory regarding next week’s meetings.
· Click Here to watch our latest video update with helpful information regarding the public input meetings and how to participate.
Below are the various outreach and other helpful materials from the House’s Public Participation Toolkit, regarding the public input meetings, how Floridians can participate, MyDistrictBuilderTM and other educational resources regarding redistricting. The most popular of the materials below will always be available at www.floridaredistricting.org, with the full menu available via our Blog & Resources page at mydistrictbuilder.wordpress.com/participation.
You are welcome to use any of the materials for your own education and involvement, or to help others get involved. For example, you may find that the 60-second public service announcement video helpful, in combination with perhaps one the public participation fliers, in presenting on the topic of redistricting to a community organization.
Also, note that the House’s legislative home page, www.myfloridahouse.gov, was just updated (a few minutes ago!!!) to include direct links to www.floridaredistricting.org, MyDistrictBuilderTM and a portal for watching the webcasts of the redistricting public input meetings. The direct link for watching the webcasts – live or replay – is http://www.floridaredistricting.org/media.aspx. We will also include that link at www.floridaredistricting.org.
Informational Fliers:
- Participate in Florida’s Redistricting! New!
- What is Redistricting and How Can Floridians Participate?
- Tell Us Your Story at a Public Meeting on Redistricting
- Helpful Guidance for Public Participation
- Learn Redistricting Concepts & Terminology
- Timeline for Redistricting in Florida
- Florida Redistricting By The Numbers
Meeting Calendar:
Radio Resources:
- 60-second Public Service Announcement New!
- 30-second Public Service Announcement New!
- 15-second Public Service Announcement New!
- June 9, 2011 – Redistricting Committee Chair Will Weatherford on Tallahassee’s 100.7 WFLA with Preston Scott and Eric Eggers New!
Video Resources:
- 60-second Public Service Announcement New!
- 30-second Public Service Announcement New!
- 15-second Public Service Announcement New!
- Complete MyDistrictBuilder at YouTube collection Updated!
Brochure:
Forms:
- Printable/Emailable Suggestion Form for Vision & Technology Impaired
- Suggestion Form for Redistricting Public Input Meetings New!
MyDistrictBuilder Help:
- Learn to Use MyDistrictBuilder Updated!
As always, please let us know if you have any questions or need for additional information.
Sincerely,
Benjamin M. Fairbrother
House Redistricting Committee
Florida House of Representatives
400 House Office Building
O: (850) 921-8831
www.floridaredistricting.org
Create and Submit Redistricting Plans with MyDistrictBuilder
MyDistrictBuilderTM @ Facebook
MyDistrictBuilderTM @ Twitter
MyDistrictBuilderTM @ YouTube
Blog & Resources @ WordPress
Questions or Comments, email: [email protected]
