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Redistricting

Jacksonville author: Gerrymandered districts enable chaos in Florida Legislature, Congress

Julie Delegal
Guest columnist
As lawmakers gathered for a special session on congressional redistricting called by Gov. Ron DeSantis to meet his demand to reduce seats seen as likely to elect Black Democrats, a rally was held on the steps of the Historic Capitol to express their opposition to the proposal on April 19, 2022.

As many of us shake our heads at the chaos recently unleashed in Congress, an old maxim comes to mind: “Voters get what we deserve.” In truth, voters are now reaping the fruits of gerrymandering.

Redistricting to gerrymander “safe” seats has ensured Republican majorities in Florida’s state House, state Senate and U.S. House delegation. Too many district lines in Florida have been redrawn to scoop in Republicans while scooping Democrats out.