Redistricting lawsuit is delayed
By KEVIN WADLOW
kwadlow@keynoter.com
Posted - Saturday, March 19, 2011 10:40 AM EDT
A federal lawsuit filed on behalf of five Monroe County residents may factor into the state redistricting process, officially triggered by this week's release of new U.S. Census Bureau numbers for Florida.
On Feb. 3, voter-rights groups and five Monroe residents sued Gov. Rick Scott and Secretary of State Kurt Browning. The suit charges that Florida officials are stalling on actions needed to implement state constitutional amendments intended to reduce gerrymandering in creating election districts.
"We are still waiting for the state to answer the complaint," said Dan Gelber, a former state senator who supports Fair District Florida, a group that campaigned for amendments 5 and 6. Both amendments passed by large margins in the November election.
The plaintiffs agreed to the state's request for an extension in filing a response, Gelber said Thursday. A response should be submitted by early April, he said.
The reason for the delay? "I think [state officials] are getting sued a lot," Gelber said.
Lower Keys residents Charles Major Jr., Sarah Fowler, Rosanne Potter, Michael E. Berman and Patricia M. Lenny are the only individuals listed as plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit.
Monroe is one of five Florida counties under special federal elections oversight due to "a long history of racial discrimination," according to the suit, so local residents have standing
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