Amendments 5 & 6 pass?

So a major redistricting is about to take place, or am I missreading this?

A major redistricting takes place every ten years. Amendments 5 and 6 set standards for redistricting instead of allowing the incumbent to draw there own. With the information from SOE's they usually draw them so they can't lose. It's really a bipartisan thing as both sides will have to follow the same standards.

Though the Republicans will whine mightily because the current lines are mind-blowingly gerrymandered in their favor. There are some relatively short (less than 70 homes) subdivision streets where I live where you get the homes on the east side of the road are one state house/state senate district and the homes on the west side of the street are in another district.

Though the Republicans will whine mightily because the current lines are mind-blowingly gerrymandered in their favor. There are some relatively short (less than 70 homes) subdivision streets where I live where you get the homes on the east side of the road are one state house/state senate district and the homes on the west side of the street are in another district.

I watched something on TV and there was a Dem opposed to the Amendment. Although it seemed the R's were really opposed to it, there seemed to be some Bipartisanship in opposition, hence I voted for it.

I'm still trying to figure out if this applies to existing boundaries, or if those will get tossed and new boundaries will be drawn. Anyone understand the implications?

The boundaries are due to be redrawn pretty shortly anyways as soon as census data from 2010 becomes available. I suspect that the actual language of the amendments states that it covers from the normal scheduled redistricting in 2011-2012ish. (or whenever it is)

The boundaries are due to be redrawn pretty shortly anyways as soon as census data from 2010 becomes available. I suspect that the actual language of the amendments states that it covers from the normal scheduled redistricting in 2011-2012ish. (or whenever it is)

It is my understanding that this is correct. Though the redistricting law was suppose to follow the guidelines laid out in 5 & 6, the legislature, in its infinite wisdom on both sides, allowed incumbents to literally draw their own boundries, thereby assuring their re-election. With the passage of 5 & 6, the re-establishment of district lines must conform as stated in the amendments. Whether that will actually occur is still open to conjecture.

So this will play heavily in the 2012 election. Greeeaaaat. I can see the pile of lawsuits from here.

it is always an issue; it is done after every census. Reapportionment is a huge deal and the legislators who have been appointed to the committee in the past have held a very powerful hand.
It has served to keep the party to which the members belong in power--the districts are drawn to ensure this...the passing of 5 & 6 will hopefully bring fairness to the reapporationment business.

It is one of those very important issues that most people know nothing about--and the members of the legislature have been happy to keep it that way. Fair Districts ran a long campaign to bring fairness. Congratulations to Ellen Frieden and her team; they won and by extension the residents of Florida will also win.