Democrats seek independent body to map political boundaries

Posted on Mon, Dec. 08, 2003

Democrats seek independent body to map political boundaries
BRENDAN FARRINGTON
Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Like minority parties in several states, Florida Democrats want to change the way political boundaries are drawn by taking the process out lawmakers' hands and giving the responsibility to an independent commission appointed equally by both parties.

But with the Republicans dominating the Legislature unwilling to consider bills that would change the process, the party is supporting an effort by a Democratic lawmaker that would place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot to create an independent redistricting commission.

Rep. Tim Ryan insists that his petition drive is not motivated by hopes of turning around the Democrats' poor representation in the Legislature. Instead, the Dania Beach lawmaker said it's simply a matter of creating a fair process to map legislative and congressional districts.

"I really do believe that representative democracy over the next several decades would be well served by this good government initiative," Ryan said. "It's not the politicians that should be served in redistricting, but Floridians."

Florida Democratic Chairman Scott Maddox, however, also said it is the only way that Democrats can ever win back a significant number of seats in the Legislature. (snip/...)

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/7444827.htm

Doubt it'll come true, but at least it'll draw attention to shady partisan redistricting efforts by the GOP, and will paint Dems in a good light. Good call.

on this on their own terms.

Example--CT is now 3-Repuke, 2-Dem. Dems were the ones who drew the lines to essentially get rid of one of their own.

Lots of good that did them.

Seriously, they could have had a 3-2 Dem split in their favor.

I remember one that wrapped around a thin part of the shore of Lake Okechobee to link two district together and limit the power of our base in that district. I'd love for there to be an independent commission with a set of strict rules about how you make a district.