|
League of Women Voters of Florida Applauds Redistricting Ruling
|
Tallahassee, Fla -- Late yesterday afternoon Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis released his opinion in the redistricting trial, declaring that the congressional map drawn by the Florida legislature and adopted in 2012 is invalid and unconstitutional. In response to Judge Lewis' ruling, League of Women Voters of Florida President Deirdre Macnab released the following statement.
For the first time, a group of citizens has shown that with commitment and perseverance, they can take on the might and unlimited resources of the Florida Legislature and win by exposing what the judge calls 'the secret, organized campaign to subvert the supposedly open and transparent redistricting process.' "
Judge Lewis' ruling puts real teeth in the Fair Districts amendments that were passed so overwhelmingly by Florida voters. With many other states grappling with the cancer of gerrymandering, this nationally precedent-setting decision sends a clear message that triumphs in the name of fair and transparent government are possible. This is a thrilling victory for the people of Florida and for the open, fair and accountable government that for decades the League has worked tirelessly to promote.
To read Judge Terry Lewis' opinion in full, please click here.
###
The League of Women Voters of Florida, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, please visit the League's website at: www.TheFloridaVoter.org.
|
