Friday, Florida’s district map will be back in court. Congressional races are in full swing, but Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL) wants the new map thrown out.
In federal court Friday, Rep. Brown will argue her new district diminishes African American voting power because much of the minority population is behind bars. But mapping contractor Matthew Isbell says African Americans still dominate the Democratic electorate and they can easily select a minority candidate.
“When we look at the registration data for congressional district five and we look at the turnout data,” he says, “we see a Democratic primary that’s over 63 percent African American in turnout. It’s over 60 percent African American in registration.”
Rep. Janet Adkins (R-Fernandina Beach) stoked fears of so-called prison gerrymandering last September. A recording obtained by Politico caught her telling local GOP operatives the prison population would give the seat to Republicans.
