I have reviewed the proposed constitutional amendments regarding redistricting released by the Legislature last week. The potential impact of these proposed amendments on minority voters in Florida is deeply troubling.
Contrary to the repeated claim made by members of the Legislature who are involved in the redistricting process that they seek to enhance minority voting rights, it seems that they intend the opposite. Insofar as minority voters are concerned, the proposed amendments are a sham. The notion - as the proposed amendments state - that the Legislature would be limited during redistricting to "taking into consideration" minority voting interests is preposterous on its face.
Moreover, the proposed amendments contain no language that would give rise to non-retrogression rights designed to protect current minority districts. I can only conclude this omission was not an oversight.
The Florida NAACP favors constitutional amendments proposed by Fair Districts Florida, which set forth redistricting standards that are balanced, nonpartisan and easily interpreted. Also, the Fair Districts Florida proposals do all that is reasonably possible to protect the interests of Florida's minority voters.
LEON RUSSELL
Fort Lauderdale
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