City of Gainesville - File #: 210163.

• File #: 210163.
• Version: 10
• Type: Staff Recommendation
• Status: Passed
• File created: 7/6/2021
• In control: City Attorney
• On agenda: 5/5/2022
• Final action: 4/28/2022
• Title: Redistricting the City's Election Districts Based upon 2020 Census Data (B) Ordinance No. 210163 An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending Section 9-1.1 Election districts of the Code of Ordinances by redistricting the City of Gainesville into four ratably or equally proportioned election districts as required by law; making findings; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an immediate effective date.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
5/9/2022	10	City Commission	Adopted on Final Reading (Ordinance)	Pass
5/5/2022	10	City Commission	Adopted on First Reading (Ordinance)	Pass
4/28/2022	8	General Policy Committee	Approved, as shown above - See Motion(s)	Pass
4/7/2022	7	City Commission	Discussed
3/31/2022	5	City Commission	Discussed
3/28/2022	5	City Commission	Approved, as shown above	Pass
3/17/2022	5	City Commission	Approved, as shown above	Pass
3/3/2022	5	City Commission	Approved, as shown above	Pass
2/17/2022	4	City Commission	Approved, as shown above	Pass
10/21/2021	3	City Commission	Adopted (Resolution)	Pass
9/9/2021	2	General Policy Committee	Approved, as shown above	Pass
7/22/2021	1	General Policy Committee	Approved, as shown above	Pass

title
Redistricting the City's Election Districts Based upon 2020 Census Data (B)

Ordinance No. 210163

An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending Section 9-1.1 Election districts of the Code of Ordinances by redistricting the City of Gainesville into four ratably or equally proportioned election districts as required by law; making findings; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an immediate effective date.

explanation
Section 2.02 of the Charter Laws of the City of Gainesville requires the City Commission to apportion the City into four consecutively numbered districts and to adjust the boundary lines of the districts by subsequently enacted ordinances whenever, in its judgment, the districts are not ratably or equally apportioned in accordance with the State Constitution and the Constitution of the United States, but not less frequently than within the second year following each decennial census. The City Commission previously redistricted the City by adoption of an ordinance in December 2012 using data from the 2010 Census.

On October 21, 2021, the City adopted Resolution No. 210163, which set forth the City Commission's intent to redistrict the City's election districts according to certain criteria. The City has contracted with Dr. Michael McDonald and Dr. Daniel Smith, both Political Science Professors and redistricting experts at the University of Florida and acting under U.F. BEBR to analyze the data, and provide redistricting options. Neighbors have been given an opportunity to participate in the process by submitting their own maps to the consultants and the City.

Historically, the City defines its districts by grouping contiguous voting precincts as codified in section 9-1.1 of the City Code of Ordinances. Adherence to precinct lines in redistricting minimizes split precincts and the complexity that results from split precincts. Additionally, adherence to precinct lines is significant ...