title
REVIEW OF CITY COMMISSION ELECTION DISTRICTS (NB)
explanation
Section 2.02 of the Charter Laws of the City of Gainesville apportions the City into election districts for the purpose of electing district commissioners to the City Commission. The Charter also requires the City Commission to adjust the boundary lines of the districts whenever, in its judgment, the districts are not ratably or equally proportioned in accordance with the Florida Constitution and the Constitution of the United States. The City Commission previously redistricted the City in 2001 taking into account data from the 2000 census. The City has successfully completed the annexation of several populous areas that require the City to determine whether the election districts continue to be ratably or equally proportioned in accordance with the State Constitution and the Constitution of the United States in order to comply with the provisions of Section 2.02 of the Charter Laws of the City.
In 1986, 1991, and 2001, the City Commission contracted with an expert in the field of redistricting and apportionment. The City Manager and City Attorney recommend that the City Commission follow the process utilized in previous years by retaining the services of a professional consultant, as well as appointing a citizen committee to review and recommend any changes in the size and areas of the four election districts. Dr. Kenneth Wald, Professor of the Political Science Department of the University of Florida, and Joshua Comenetz, Ph.D., previously performed these services and they have informed us that they are available to perform these services again. In addition, it is recommended that the City Commission appoint a Citizen Election District Review Committee consisting of residents of the City of Gainesville to review and recommend any changes in the size and areas of the four election districts. The Committee could consist of seven persons with the Mayor and each City Commissioner ...
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