Yesterday, the Florida House of Representatives passed HJR 7231, voting in its own self interest and against the people’s call for Fair Districts.
Nearly 2 million Florida voters have signed petitions saying they want to end the ability of lawmakers to draw districts for their own political advantage. Now, during the final days of the legislative session, those same lawmakers are doing everything they can to derail these reforms.
The Senate vote on SJR 2288 is TODAY, and it’s our last chance to stop legislative attempts to thwart Fair Districts.
Call your state senator and urge them to vote NO on SJR 2288.
SJR 2288 is intended to override the provisions of Amendments 5 and 6 (the Fair Districts amendments). It will continue to allow politicians to gerrymander district lines so they can continue to choose their constituents, rather than have voters choose their representatives.
The Gainsville Sun described the attempt to neuter the Fair Districts amendments as “… nothing short of despicable” [1] and other commentators have called it a “trick,” a “scam,” and a “poison pill.”
We need to stop SJR 2288, and preserve the intent and effect of Amendments 5 and 6 — the Fair Districts amendments that will end the backroom deals and partisan politics that result in gerrymandered districts designed to keep incumbents in power. The people of Florida want compact districts that keep their cities and counties together. They do not want politicians to decide the outcome of elections by redrawing district lines.
Naturally, Rep. Cannon and Sen. Haridopolos want to preserve their own power and keep these amendments from becoming reality. So they’re trying to place their own amendment on the ballot through SJR 2288, which if passed by Florida voters in November, will render Amendments 5 and 6 useless.
SJR 2288 is a subversion of democracy and a cynical ploy by legislators to undermine the expressed will of over a million Floridians and their desire for Fair Districts. As Floridians, we must stand up to this kind of arrogance and disdain for our democracy.
Please call your state senator today, and urge them to vote NO on SJR 2288.
http://www.floridapirg.org/action/stop-the-power-grab?id4=es
Sincerely,
Brad Ashwell
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