Every decade since 1790, the federal government has administered the United States Census. This survey, which is mandated by the U.S. Constitution, gathers population data and statistics for the entire nation.
The information collected by the census is used in a variety of important ways, but of chief concern for Florida right now
is the way that this information affects the redistricting process.
In Florida, the state legislature is tasked with redrawing the political district lines every ten years, in response to the Census. This is what the “redistricting process” that you’ll be hearing so much about basically boils down to: Making sure that the political boundary lines are fair and reasonable.
Redistricting is important for a number of reasons. First, redistricting determines who your elected representatives will be.
Depending on how the lines are drawn, you could wind up with an entirely new representative at the state or federal level.
Also, whichever way the lines are drawn, it will remain that way until the next Census, which takes place in 2020. So for the next five elections, starting in 2012, these new lines will be in effect.
As a member of the state Redistricting Committee, I recognize how important this process is. That’s why it’s crucial for you to get involved.
We’ll be holding a number of meetings, open to the public, to gather citizen input and feedback. These meetings will help us determine the needs of Florida’s diverse communities. The first of these meetings with take place in the Panhandle next week.
However, a public meeting will also be held locally. It is currently scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. July 12 at the News-Journal Center in Daytona Beach.
I invite you to attend. I also suggest that you visit the official Florida redistricting website: www.floridaredisricting.org.
At this website, you can keep up with the latest news and events related to redistricting. You can even get involved in the redistricting process right now, by using the MyDistrictBuilder app to create your own map of how you think the lines should be drawn.
I will post more information in the next few weeks as the July 12 meeting approaches. Please take this opportunity to get involved and make your voice heard. With your help, we can ensure that Volusia County gets the representation we all deserve in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.
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Editor's Note: State Rep. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange (Dist. 28), writes her weekly column exclusively for NSBNews.net, New Smyrna Beach's daily online newspaper and Volusia County's alternative news source.
NSBNews.net, also known as VolusiaNews.net, provides Volusia County 24 / 7 Internet newspaper coverage, 100% free with breaking news, news of record and investigative reports from New Smyrna Beach, FL, for a 21st-century digital world.