Single-Member Districts

Vote Yes

for Single Member Districts

for the Lee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)

The League of Women Voters supports single member districts. The League believes that democratic government depends on informed and engaged citizens and government responsive to the will of the people. To read more from the League of Women Voters of Lee County, inc. and the League of Women Voters of Sanibel click here: Single Member Districts—Vote Yes

A Vote Yes on November 3, 2026, by a majority of Lee County voters will change the way Lee County Commissioners are elected from at-large with Commissioners elected in county-wide to single member--only voters residing in a district elect a commissioner from that district to represent them, beginning with the 2028 general election.

Currently, each of the five Lee County Commissioners is elected on a county-wide basis. Through 2024, in 14 of 23 elections for Lee County Commissioner, the candidate who won the majority in their district was not elected to the Commission county-wide. Commissioners are required to reside in their district. Commissioners’ elections by single member districts will reinforce the need for communication and connection with voters in their district and understanding their district issues.

Referendum. Single Member Districts --Countywide Charter Amendment. Referendum Providing for the Structure of the County Legislative Branch. Shall Chapter 2025-222, Laws of Florida, which amends the Lee County Home Rule Charter to provide that, beginning with the 2028 general election, the Board of County Commissioners shall be composed of five (5) members elected in single-member districts, become effective? __ Yes __ No

The election of the BOCC by single-member districts may:

Amplify and rise-up community concerns
Provide more direct representation for the district
Enhance individual voter-power
Improve accountability and communication with constituents
Make Commissioners' elections less expensive and more accessible
Improve risk assessments within districts
Strengthen resilience and emergency response in Districts

Lee County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Each Commissioner is elected on a county-wide basis by the electors of the County, under the Lee County Charter, adopted by voters in 1996. Commission District Map CommissionDistricts.pdf.

Since 1996, Lee County’s population has doubled to a population of almost 900,000. Lee County is the 8th largest in population of Florida’s 67 counties. Of the 8 largest counties in Florida, only Lee elects County Commissioners exclusively on an at-large (county-wide) basis.

In at least 14 of 23 past elections for Lee County Commisioner, the candidate who won the majority in their district was not elected to the Commission in the county-wide (at-large) election.

History

With a Made Up Mind: the History of the Black Vote in SW Florida. WGCU Public Media
1887 to 2018: BoCC_History for website 9-11-18.pdf
Single Member Districts in Lee County Timeline 1845-2025 Detailed Timeline
History of Single Member Districts and Process by Matt Caldwell video
Since 1887, seven women have served on the BOCC, one, Melvin Morgan was the first and only African American Commissioner. The eighth will take office in November 2026.

The League supports single-member election districts that are equal in population, that provide access for minorities, and, when possible, take local characteristics such as political and geographical boundaries into consideration. Study and Action 2025-2027 page 19, Redistricting and Reapportionment 1980s.

LWVLee Event: February 7, 2026 Local Voice, Local Choice: Choosing Commissioners by Single-Member Districts