The trial over Florida state Senate redistricting got underway Monday, with the plaintiffs in the case, a coalition of Voter Rights Groups including The League of Women Voters and Common Cause immediately attacking the map submitted by the Florida Legislature. At issue was each side’s map drawing process. Each side argued the rival maps were tainted by partisanship. The trial actually began with a concession by the Senate that the maps submitted in 2012 were drawn by Republican political operatives.
David King, attorney for the plaintiffs, was highly critical of the map submitted by the Senate, which was drawn up by Jay Ferrin, staff director, with the direction of Senate Redistricting Chief Bill Galvano (R), but with virtually no other legislative input. Argued King, “Nobody wants to be close to this map. What is it that compelled Senator Galvano to move forward with this map? The answer is that it is the one that performed best for Republicans both from a standpoint of political performance and the standpoint of protecting incumbents.” Also at issue were several phone calls made between Senator Galvano and Ferrin after discussions with several state senators.
Raul Cantero, attorney for the Senate, had plenty to say about the map submitted by the plaintiffs. Apparently, the map was drawn up by Los Angeles consultant John O’Neill, who has done some work for a Democratic consulting firm. Said Cantero, “We had a process that was totally in a public eye… They had a map-drawer who draw maps in his apartment with no supervision. There were no public meetings, no recording, so we ask the court adopt our plans.”
The trial, scheduled to go through this Friday in the courtroom of Leon County Circuit Judge George Reynolds, could wrap up by Thursday. Although two other senators were deposed before trial, Sen Galvano is expected to be the only elected official to offer courtroom testimony; the judge may also hear testimony from staffers and redistricting experts. After that, the judge is expected to make his map recommendation to the Florida Supreme Court. The Florida State Association of Supervisors of elections is hoping that a final decision will be announced by March, to allow time for precincts to be set for next year’s elections
