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Arguments Conclude in Senate Case

The Senate map is now in the hands of Circuit Judge George Reynolds.
David July via Flickr

Arguments are wrapped up Thursday in the court case over the Senate’s district map.  The central issue has been minority access districts. 

American University political historian Allan Lichtman, argues map submitted by a coalition of voting rights activists will allow African Americans to elect a candidate in Broward County’s District 31.  

“This is an overwhelming performing district for African Americans,” Lichtman says. “As I said, I never say certainty in politics, but this comes very close.”

But the Senate argues in the plaintiffs’ proposal less than half the voters are African American.  Its map pushes the voting population above fifty percent, but voting rights groups say that packs African Americans in the district, diluting their impact in neighboring areas.

Nick Evans came to Tallahassee to pursue a masters in communications at Florida State University. He graduated in 2014, but not before picking up an internship at WFSU. While he worked on his degree Nick moved from intern, to part-timer, to full-time reporter. Before moving to Tallahassee, Nick lived in and around the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years. He listens to far too many podcasts and is a die-hard 49ers football fan. When Nick’s not at work he likes to cook, play music and read.