by Diane Dimperio
Updated September 29, 2021. Published September 9, 2021.
This article is Part 2 of a series. Information covered in the prior unit is not included in this article. Go to our Florida Redistricting 2022 webpage to see all the articles.
There are lots of discussions about redistricting these days. So you may be wondering… What’s it all about? What does it mean? Why should I care?
If we did not know before, we now understand how important our vote for political office holders can be. Politicians make decisions that affect our health and safety, our economic status, and our environment. Understanding of, and involvement in, the process of redistricting can be the first step in preserving your ability to make decisions about your life by voting.
We will be posting and updating information on our website to make sure you can do your part in exercising your freedom to cast a meaningful vote.
What is a District?
Some lawmakers are elected by votes that are cast by every voter in the state. For example, the Governor, cabinet members, and our congressional senators are elected based on a statewide vote. But many of the candidates for whom we vote represent a smaller area called a district.
A district is a geographical area that is based on the population size and for some offices other guidelines. People who are elected in a district race are supposed to live in that district and represent the interests of others who live there. The way districts are drawn, meaning what populations are included, may affect the power of our vote. District maps can be drawn to give some populations more influence over who wins, which reduces the influence of others.
District Maps
District maps follow rules that affect how and when they are drawn. The rules generally are designed to ensure maps give all voters equal ability to affect the outcome of elections. Drawing maps is extremely technical so citizen oversight of the process is very challenging. The most important thing to know about districts is they determine who can run in that district and in some cases how much power your vote has. Some basic information on districting is presented in this article and other discussions will follow.
Who Can Vote?
Most politicians being elected to represent a district can be elected by only those who live in the district s/he represents. But some offices holders are elected by members of all affiliated districts. This is referred to as “at large”.
- State representatives, state senators, and congressional (federal) representatives and are elected only by the people they represent, i.e., voters who live in the district.
- Except for two “at large” seats, Gainesville City Commissioners are elected by voters who live in the district the candidate will represent.
- Alachua County Commissioners and Alachua School Board members are elected by a vote of the entire county, i.e., they are elected “at large”.
- Electing lawmakers who represent districts by an at large vote limits who can run for each seat.
- Election of lawmakers by district residents limits who can run and who can vote.
When are District Maps Drawn?
- The district maps for state representatives and senators, as well as, congressional representatives are drawn once every ten years in the second year following the census (which is conducted every 10 years). They are done by the state legislature, which begins in January 2022. Committee meetings will begin in September 2021.
- Local districts are usually drawn at least every ten years based on updated census data but may be revised at shorter intervals. The County and School Board can only draw district maps in odd number years.
- Alachua County plans to redraw its districts by the end of 2021. Using updated census data county staff will be preparing draft maps of the districts, which will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners in October. The staff is planning a District workshop on November 9 and will release revised maps on December 14. They will advertise proposed final maps in December and they need to be approved by December 31. Public input may be submitted before or during any of the public meetings.
- The County prefers districts to be drawn using precincts as building blocks. The Supervisor of Election will be reviewing, and possibly revising, precincts but will not be able to do so until after the Florida legislative session. The County will review and possibly revise the districts in 2023.
- The City of Gainesville will begin its redistricting process in September. It plans to offer a "kick-off" public engagement when it releases software (District Builder) people can use to draft proposed districts on their own. Drafts of proposed maps will be produced for public comment in January and discussed through April of 2022 when they will be finalized.
- The School Board will be drawing new districts this year.
The League of Women Voters encourages everyone to vote and to actively engage in civic life. We want to help you understand issues that affect your ability to vote and to make your vote count. Voting at every level is critical to achieving the quality of life we value. Fair districts are key to our ability to choose politicians who share our values. The decisions on state redistricting will affect our voting choices for at least a decade. We will give periodic updates on redistricting and urge you to become active members of the electorate. Below we give links to current maps for Alachua County residents. You want to know what district you live in and who represents you at all levels of government.
Current District Maps
Diane Dimperio is the LWVAC Redistricting Contact. If you would like more information or to get involved, please reach out to info [at] lwv-alachua.org.
