The Florida Supreme Court has made a decision on potential judicial consolidation in the Sunshine State, a controversial political issue between Republicans and Democrats.
During the summer the Florida Legislature changed the lines of Congressional seats which led to complaints of gerrymandering, but Republicans also announced a goal to gerrymander our Judicial Circuits too, according to Florida Democrats. The claims were that judicial consolidation could make the Florida system more efficient.
“In reality, this was an attempt to redraw Florida’s judicial circuit map so Republicans can put the voters they want in the places they want them — otherwise known as gerrymandering,” said Orlando State Representative Anna Eskamani, a Democrat.
Rep. Eskamani and other Democratic allies worked with community partners to organize against the judicial consolidation effort, and it worked.
The Florida State Supreme Court issued an opinion in clear opposition to judicial consolidation stating: “As explained below, we do not find that there is a need to consolidate judicial circuits at this time.”
“This is a major win for protecting our judicial system and reflects the overwhelming statewide opposition to the concept of judicial consolidation,” Rep. Eskamani added.
Florida Democrats are also pointing out that it is a conservative State Supreme Court opposing a conservative push. They are hoping the political fight on this issue is over, and emphasized the need for the legislature to focus on more important issues facing Floridians and the justice system.
Read the full opinion online.
“The Judicial Branch is an essential component to American democracy and we must be committed to preserving its integrity in Florida and across the country,” Rep. Eskamani said.
