Bondi asks Fla. justices to review redistricting

February 10, 2012 - 1:00am

Tampa Bay Online

NOTE: Yes, the Legislature has passed their proposed redistricting maps, but they fail to reflect the requirements of the Fair Districting amendments passed in 2010. Here's an update on status. Don't expect final maps until June.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Attorney General Pam Bondi has asked the Florida Supreme Court to review the Legislature's plan to redistrict the state House and Senate.

Bondi filed the petition Friday, just a day after the maps received final approval in the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The justices now have 30 days to decide whether the plan complies with the Florida Constitution, including a new anti-gerrymandering amendment.

Democrats and three nonpartisan groups that supported the Fair Districts amendment say they'll urge the justices to reject the plan.

They say it unfairly favors Republicans and incumbents and fails to protect minority voting rights.

Lawmakers also passed a congressional plan and sent it to Gov. Rick Scott.

Democrats on Thursday sued in Circuit Court alleging that map violates a similar congressional amendment although Scott hasn't yet signed it.

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