They Never Give Up
The Miami Herald reports that Florida governor Rick Scott moves to delay redistrict plan
TALLAHASSEE — Two voter-approved constitutional amendments requiring the Legislature to draw political districts along nonpartisan standards could be jeopardized by one of Gov. Rick Scott’s first acts.
Three days after Scott took office, the state quietly withdrew its request that the U.S. Justice Department approve Amendments 5 and 6 as required under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, effectively stalling their implementation just as a Republican-led lawsuit challenges their constitutionality.
At the time, Scott was recruiting as his top elections advisor Kurt Browning, who actively campaigned against the two ballot measures last fall while not working for the state. Browning’s spokesman said he had no role in the decision.
When Republicans talk about the “will of the people”, they don’t include people who disagree with them. There is nothing more disagreeable to Florida Republicans than having election districts based on something other than party affiliation. They spent a lot of time and effort ensuring that every Republican vote is worth two non-Republican votes by drawing election districts, and they don’t want to give up that advantage.
