Redistricting occurs when the boundaries of electoral districts are redrawn. It’s done every 10 years following the U.S. Census, the nation's leading provider of quality data about its people and economy. 

After the Census data is analyzed, each state’s number of congresspeople in the U.S. House of Representatives is recalculated based on the current population. The 2020 data shows that Florida’s population grew by 2.9 million residents, which now gives the state one additional Representative (from 27 to 28). 

The Florida State Legislature redraws the state’s U.S. Congressional districts to reflect its number of representatives. It also redraws its State House and State Senate districts. When redistricting is conducted fairly and by the law, it should accurately reflect population changes and racial diversity and is used by legislators to find representation in Congress and state legislatures. But creating fair districts isn’t always the case -- sometimes “gerrymandering” by the party in power ensues.

The Florida legislature is currently in session, so the redistricting process is happening right now until the legislative session ends on March 11. 

Redistricting should be a nonpartisan process that apportions representation simply, logically, and fairly across the state’s population.

Gerrymandering is the manipulation of district boundaries to purposefully disadvantage a group of voters based on their party affiliation or race. It’s politically motivated and always used by the party in power to stay in power, regardless of the voice of the voters.

There are two types of gerrymandering:

Cracking refers to breaking up the voting power of the opposing party’s supporters.

Packing refers to concentrating the opposing party’s power in one district to reduce its power in multiple other districts.

Gerrymandering not only suppresses voting rights, it also is an abuse of power, creates unfair representation, and weakens faith in democracy.

You can learn more about gerrymandering in this video by the Washington Post.

In 2010, 63% of Florida voters approved two amendments written by the League’s state chapter and its partners in the Fair Districts Coalition to help ensure fair redistricting. In 2012, they were signed into law.

The Fair Districts provisions require that district lines:

• not be drawn to favor one political party over another

• not be drawn to harm voting power of racial or language minorities

• are contiguous.

In addition, if possible, and so long as it does not violate the requirements above, the districts should:

• be compact 

• take into account jurisdictional lines of counties and cities

• take into account geographical boundaries

However, despite the FairDistricts amendments being signed into law that year, the Florida legislature STILL gerrymandered in 2012. When this happened, the League and a coalition of civil rights groups filed two lawsuits in response to gerrymandering by political party operatives 

• The State Legislature spent $11 million of taxpayer money unsuccessfully defending its illegally drawn district map.

• In 2015, the courts approved new Congressional district boundaries drawn by the League and its partners.

• The fairly balanced districts directly contributed to the electoral wins of three non-white candidates in 2016.

Florida voters must demand that the 2022 redistricting process is an open and fair process.

Let’s ensure that constituents pick their elected officials, not the other way around. Here’s a list of things ways you can do your part:

• Pay attention and stay informed

• Become a member of the League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade County for up-to-date information on local and state redistricting. Click here to sign up.

• Believe what you see over what you hear

• Contact your elected officials to demand an open, fair process

• Teach someone you know about redistricting or share this web page to your social media