Congressional redistricting is sending ripple effects across the state, including Leon County. Now local elections officials are educating voters about where the new lines fall.
Like giant red, blue and purple puzzle pieces, Florida’s 27 congressional districts determine who votes for which candidates. The newly redrawn maps split the capital city in half, lumping some voters in Congressional District 2, others in Congressional District 5. Leon County's Assistant Supervisor of Elections Chris Moore says this week the office is reaching out to all those affected by redistricting.
“Any voter that’s affected will receive a new voter information card that’s for their information only that shows district assignments, their polling location assignment and their residential address. And they will also receive a letter describing some of the changes and also a map that shows the new districts,” he said.
Moore says the goal is to avoid confusion on Election Day.
“The complications of a message like this is not all Leon County voters are affected by the change. There are about half of our voters that will remain in District 2. So if they don’t receive a direct mail packet, they should not be affected, but they can always call our office,” he said.
Affected voters should receive the new cards this week. The elections office will ramp up a public information campaign this summer, ahead of the August 30th primary.
