July 09, 2015
Contact:
Pamela Goodman
League of Women Voters of Florida
LEAGUE APPLAUDS FLORIDA SUPREME COURT
FAIR DISTRICTS RULING
"It has been a long hard, battle against devious, political scheming, but today the Florida Supreme Court handed the people of Florida a total victory, forcing the redrawing of every one of the eight districts that we contested in the lawsuit," said Pamela Goodman, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida, part of the coalition that filed suit to have the districts redrawn because of gerrymandering.
"Not only must the legislature act speedily and hold a special session to redraw, what could prove to be nearly every congressional district in the state, but the Florida Supreme Court is leaving nothing to chance -- the court will have final approval on the redrawn districts."
"The League will be watching this process closely to make sure our lawmakers operate in complete sunshine with one hundred percent transparency. Today, the Florida Supreme Court took the Florida Legislature to the woodshed. Their egregious behavior using partisan political operatives in the redistricting process was appropriately reprimanded. We commend our court system, our legal system and the hard work of citizens of Florida for making today a victory for the voice of the people," Goodman concluded.
Read the opinion and the order.
.
###
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.