Florida Banking December 2021 | January 2022

© iStockphoto/rarrarorro

Senators. The districts are supposed to be drawn with 2.1 percent of the ideal district size based on population. In other words, close to the same population in each House or Senate District as possible. The population growth set forth above has caused most districts to grow beyond the ideal district size and they must shed residents in the district. In those 17 counties that lost population, the districts are below the ideal district size and must be increased to take in more residents. Layer on top of this the Voter Rights Act which was passed roughly 60 years ago to ensure minority representation in the legislative process. This requires the Legislature to look at the racial makeup of the districts as well. After the Legislature passes the joint resolution creating the new state districts, the Attorney General is required to petition the Florida Supreme Court to judge the validity of the maps. If the Supreme Court determines that the maps are not valid, there must

be a Special Session to work on new maps. Then these go back to the Supreme Court for validation. Should the Legislature be unable to agree on state maps or the Florida Supreme Court rules against the validity of the new maps after the Special Session, the Court shall draw the new districts. This entire process must be completed in time to qualify for federal and state elections, which will be held the week of June 13. Primary election day is August 23 and the general election will be held on November 8. The redistricting process is long and involved. It touches every facet of the state’s legislative process. It also requires every Senate district to appear on the ballot — some for two-year terms and some for four-year terms. Stay tuned to see who your new state representative or senator or congressman may be in the 2022 election.

WWW.FLORIDABANKERS.COM DECEMBER 2021 | JANUARY 2022 — 13