Florida is divided into 27 congressional districts, each represented by a member of the United States House of Representatives. After the 2010 Census, the number of Florida's seats was increased from 25 to 27 due to the State's increase in population, and subsequent reapportionment in 2012.
The districts are represented in the 115th United States Congress by 11 Democrats and 16 Republicans.
In 2010 more than 63 percent of Florida voters approved the initiated Amendments 5 and 6, known as the "Fair District Amendments," to the state constitution, over the objections of the Republican-controlled legislature. These are intended to promote fairness in congressional districts and "prohibit lawmakers from intentionally drawing districts that favor incumbents or political parties."
The legislature had adopted new districts in 2012 as a result of the 2010 census. Their product was soon challenged in early 2011 by groups who had worked for passage of the amendments, including the League of Women Voters and Common Cause. The trial revealed much secret dealings by party operatives and lawmakers; the court set a new legal standard. At one point the court excluded the press and shut down the TV feed in order to allow three hours of testimony by a political operative.
On July 9, 2014, a Florida judge ruled that state Republicans had illegally drawn the state's congressional districts. Judge Terry P. Lewis of Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit ordered that the 5th and 10th districts be redrawn. On appeal, the Florida Supreme Court ruled on July 9, 2015 that several more districts had to be redrawn, and that the legislature had unconstitutionally worked to benefit the Republican Party. The historic ruling was considered likely to affect most of the state's 27 districts.
On December 2, 2015 the state supreme court approved a remedial plan for districting for the 2016 elections. All but Districts 1, 8, and 19 were altered in some way by the plan.
Current districts and representatives
David Shapiro - Democratic candidate for Florida's 16th congressional district - David Shapiro - Democratic candidate for Florida's 16th congressional district.
List of members of the Florida United States House delegation, their terms, their district boundaries, and the districts' political ratings according to the CPVI. The delegation has a total of 27 members, including 11 Democrats, and 16 Republicans.
Historical district boundaries
Obsolete districts
- Florida's at-large congressional district
- Florida Territory's at-large congressional district
See also
- List of United States congressional districts
References
External links
