Commission District Map

Anyone else bothered when they look at how the commission districts are drawn? No wonder we can't move forward. Sandestin in the same district as Western Defuniak Springs? Watersound Origins and Inlet Beach in the same district as Ponce de Leon? 3 districts with population in Defuniak Springs? It is clear to me that whatever the process is, it is wrong. Looks like gerrymandering for political purposes. Is there a lawyer or political person who can share some insight? http://www.co.walton.fl.us/DocumentCenter/View/8031

Great, huh? Walton County's name should be Gerrymander County.

Commission districts have little or nothing to do with moving forward as we elect at large. Only when you have single member district elections will they truly make a difference.

23% of the registered voters decided the outcome of some major offices and a referendum on August 26th.

Talk to those that did not care about who and how we are governed to change the dynamics.

Commission districts have little or nothing to do with moving forward as we elect at large. Only when you have single member district elections will they truly make a difference.

23% of the registered voters decided the outcome of some major offices and a referendum on August 26th.

Talk to those that did not care about who and how we are governed to change the dynamics.

Both statements are very fair points, Bob. Why is it we elect at large? It seems like just another way for the minority (south) to have little chance to have its share of representation.

I was looking at this the other day. See below for one of the strangest sections of the map. Look at the bizarre way that Districts 1, 3, and 5 converge around and near the Bay. I think the goal of the district-based elections is to make sure there is geographically diverse representation on the BCC, School Board, etc. But the districts are strangely configured, making that goal a challenge to meet.

It is my understanding that the County switched to single member Districts several years ago (before my time as a permanent resident) only to switch back to at-large in 2 years.

I have a belief why but no first hand knowledge to back it up.

There are advantages/disadvantages to both methods of governance. I personally prefer single member but that's just my preference.

The voter balance is approaching a even split but the voter turn out is horrible in the four precincts in the southern part compared to the northern precincts.

The real killer is voter turnout in primaries.

We need to work on that !!!!

I was looking at this the other day. See below for one of the strangest sections of the map. Look at the bizarre way that Districts 1, 3, and 5 converge around and near the Bay. I think the goal of the district-based elections is to make sure there is geographically diverse representation on the BCC, School Board, etc. But the districts are strangely configured, making that goal a challenge to meet. <img src="http://www.sowal.com/bb/attachment.php?attachmentid=37809"/>

The major advocates of this plan were Robert Nelson and Bonnie McQuiston. They were the committee members that pushed this alignment .

I hate be the one to point out this fact since I was on the short end, but the south end just chose the commissioner for District 2 which is the north end. So it is not as one-sided as some would think. Bob is right, the main problem with elections is the poor turnout. 23% of the electorate is abysmal.

I hate be the one to point out this fact since I was on the short end, but the south end just chose the commissioner for District 2 which is the north end. So it is not as one-sided as some would think. Bob is right, the main problem with elections is the poor turnout. 23% of the electorate is abysmal.

In fairness, Mrs. Jones is more of a gypsy or nomad based upon the last election she won or lost. Not sure the South end wants to claim her.

They may not want to claim her but they definitely elected her by a wide margin. I think she won in the 4 southern precincts by about 1200 votes.

Give her credit for working hard and running a smart campaign. The best $69,000 could run.

The major advocates of this plan were Robert Nelson and Bonnie McQuiston. They were the committee members that pushed this alignment .

I remember Robert Nelson actually working to include some common sense alternatives. It was Bonnie McQuiston who about blew her top over citizens daring to contribute to the process or pointing out that the current map was basically constitutionally invalid even to a lay person. Odd since she's one of those Tea Party types that has it tattooed on her ass.

The current map would probably go up in smoke if it were challenged in court. The BCC can also redistrict anytime it chooses.

The single member districts were unpopular because many voters did not like only having a vote on one person on a 5 member board where 3 votes are needed to make a decision. If my memory is correct the south end led the charge for county-wide because at the time only District 5 was located in the south and most of the land use votes concerned the south. But single member districts were unpopular in every area of the county.

Another fact to remember is that every district must be basically equal as far as population is concerned. That is why DeFuniak is divided up and the south has 3 different districts dividing it.