1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support legislation that would end partisan gerrymandering and establish independent redistricting commissions in our state, and to defend the current maps approved by the Florida Supreme Court. Partisan gerrymandering undermines the fundamental principle of representative democracy by allowing politicians to choose their voters rather than voters choosing their representatives. This practice distorts election outcomes, reduces electoral competition, and diminishes accountability to constituents. When districts are drawn to guarantee safe seats for one party, representatives become less responsive to the diverse needs of their communities. The Florida Supreme Court has reviewed and approved the current redistricting maps as meeting constitutional standards. These maps represent a judicial determination that the districts comply with legal requirements for fairness and proper representation. Any attempt to overturn or redraw these court-approved maps would undermine the judicial process and risk replacing legally sound districts with politically motivated boundaries. Independent analysis has shown that gerrymandered districts contribute to political polarization by creating safe seats where candidates only need to appeal to their party's base rather than build broad coalitions. This dynamic discourages compromise and moderate governance. Voters across the political spectrum deserve districts that reflect genuine communities of interest rather than partisan advantage. I am asking you to take two specific actions. First, defend the current maps that the Florida Supreme Court has deemed constitutional and resist any efforts to redraw them for partisan purposes. Second, champion legislation that would establish an independent redistricting commission with clear criteria prohibiting partisan manipulation for future redistricting cycles. Such a commission should include balanced representation, use transparent processes with public input, and prioritize keeping communities together. Fair districts strengthen democracy by ensuring that every vote matters and that representatives truly reflect the will of their constituents. I hope you will take a leadership role in protecting the current court-approved maps and advancing long-term redistricting reform.