Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Why single member voting is necessary in Sarasota County now


. . . we agree with the judge’s finding of insufficient evidence that this was about race. And he certainly had cause to conclude that it was more about party politics. But let us not forget that the effect of this new electoral map — along with the cause that provoked it, the push for single-member districts — is mostly about money. More specifically, it is about deriving as much profit as possible from the development of our county’s remaining available land.

The rationale for single-district representation, which voters accepted and the current commission did not, was that seats on the commission would become less costly and more accessible to candidates who are not backed by wealthy developers. This is the rationale we now come back around to, with the conclusion of this litigation. 
It will take more time than the voting majority expected to find out if this change will have the effect they desire. But the goal remains intact, and remains worth pursuing.


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