New legislation comes after Common Cause poll shows strong support 

Common Cause is urging Florida’s congressional delegation to support new legislation that bans mid-decade redistricting and requires states to use independent redistricting commissions to draw voting maps for congressional districts. The legislation has remarkably broad support nationwide based on recent poll results commissioned by Common Cause.  

The new legislation, sponsored by Representative Zoe Lofgren and Senator Alex Padilla, comes on the heels of a Common Cause commissioned poll of registered Florida voters that showed 76% of Floridians supporting independent commissions drawing districts instead of state legislators, 66% of Floridians supporting a national law banning partisan gerrymandering, and 66% of Floridians supporting a ban on mid-decade redistricting. 

That Florida poll sampled 499 registered voters. Common Cause polling in four other states showed that registered voters in California, Illinois, New York, and Texas also support all three moves – independent commissions, a ban on mid-decade redistricting and a ban on partisan gerrymandering. A national poll of 2,016 respondents also showed strong support.

“A majority of Floridians of all backgrounds are clear – no to mid-decade redistricting, no to partisan gerrymandering. That was the case in 2010 when Floridians passed the Fair Districts Amendments and it remains the case today,” said Amy Keith, Common Cause Florida Executive Director. “That’s why our Florida federal representatives need to listen to the people. They need to support and vote in favor of this legislation to give power back to the people – this is what Floridians want. We will advocate to make sure our elected leaders co-sponsor, publicly support and vote for this legislation.”