FEA Frontline Report - Sine Die - Anti - Fair Districts Amendment Options

[Chris Spiliotis]

The Anti - Fair Districts Amendment to be on November ballot

25 Florida senators joined 74 members of the Florida House and put politicians ahead of the people. They voted to pass SJR 2288/HJR 7231, which will place an amendment on the November ballot to ensure their own re-election. They don’t want to have to follow the rules for redistricting demanded by the voters who signed 1.7 million petitions for Fair Districts Amendments 5 and 6.

The 25-14 vote was pretty much along party lines. Democratic Senators Gary Siplin (NO - SB6) (D-Orlando) and Al Lawson (NO - SB6) (D-Tallahassee) sided with the Republican majority. Sen. Paula Dockery (NO - SB6) (R-Lakeland) was the lone Republican voting against the measure, which was pushed by incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos (YES - SB6) (R-Merritt Island).

Legislators supporting the Anti-Fair Districts amendment claimed that their amendment is needed to “clarify” provisions of the Fair Districts amendments and “better protect” minority districts. But that claim is deceptive. This is a desperate attempt to derail the popular Fair Districts Amendments 5 and 6.
What they are really up to is trying to confuse voters and, if passed, gut the provisions of the Fair Amendment--if all were to pass on the November General Election Ballot. Confused? That is the intention of the proponents of SJR 2288 and HJR 7231. This is just another case of the legislature trying to fool the people of Florida – this time in a deceptive attempt to hold on to their power to draw districts that unfairly favor themselves or their colleagues.

The simple description of logic behind the Fair Districts Amendments 5 and 6 is voters should choose their representatives — representatives shouldn’t be choosing their voters.

Visit www.FairDistrictsFlorida.org to find out more.