All On The Line Statement on Lack of Public Input Opportunities in Florida’s Redistricting Process

Today, Katie Vicsik, Florida State Director of All On The Line, released the following statement in response to today’s lack of accessibility and openness during public comment at the Florida House Redistricting Subcommittee meetings:

“All On The Line calls on the Florida House Redistricting Committee to restructure the public input process and make it significantly easier for Floridians to participate in a meaningful way. Today, the House Redistricting Subcommittees held two public hearings on map proposals simultaneously—one on the congressional map and the other on the state house map—forcing members of the public to pick one meeting instead of providing opportunities to comment on both maps. This particular scheduling conflict is representative of the committee’s overall lack of interest in engaging with the public and continues a pattern of unacceptable behavior.

“Real opportunities for public input must be properly noticed, accessible to members of the public from across the state, and adhere to a schedule that will allow for working Floridians to reasonably participate. Future hearings must also include options to communicate virtually with representatives as well as increase language accessibility. As of today, Florida’s redistricting process does not meet these simple standards and effectively serves as an obstacle that has kept members of the public from sharing their voices.

“Floridians must have every opportunity to participate in the redistricting process and provide feedback. Voters deserve an open and fair redistricting process, and the state’s leadership must do much more to provide their constituents with more thoughtful public engagement.”

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