Published by the Florida Center for Government Accountability
Repeal Florida law that blocks scrutiny of redistricting records, 2 lawmakers say
Sen. Annette Taddeo was surprised when she learned this year that many of her colleagues had no idea that legislators’ redistricting activities were exempt from Florida’s broad public records laws.
Although Florida prides itself on its open records laws, a 28-year–old law exempts legislators from any obligation to produce records of redistricting-related conversations, correspondence and proposed maps. Since then, voters have approved the Fair Districts provisions in the state constitution that prohibit lawmakers from drawing districts that protect incumbents or political parties, or harm minority voting strength.