Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution, the title of which is as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW VOTING PRECINCTS; MODIFYING VOTING PRECINCT BOUNDARIES PURSUANT TO SECTION 101.001, FLORIDA STATUTES; DIRECTING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO TRANSMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
body
Why Action is Necessary
Section 101.001(1), Florida Statutes, requires Board approval to establish or alter voting precincts upon approval and recommendation of the Broward County Supervisor of Elections.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables adoption of the proposed Resolution establishing new voting precincts.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
As a result of the 2020 decennial census, new districts were drawn for various local, county, and state seats. At the request of the SOE, consultants from Florida International University (“FIU”) reviewed and proposed adjustments to the precincts, as necessary, to: (i) ensure Broward County voters have adequate access to precincts and polling places during elections; (ii) ensure precincts are composed of contiguous and compact areas; (iii) utilize the current decennial United States census block boundaries where practicable; (iv) minimize precinct splits where practicable; and (v) address other factors required by applicable law.
Section 101.001(1), Florida Statutes, requires the board of county commissioners in each county, upon the recommendation and approval of the supervisor of elections, to alter or create precincts for voting in that county.
The SOE has approved and is recommending the revisions to the voting precincts prepared by FIU. The proposed precinct map incorporates the changes resulting from the 2020 decennial census in the various municipal, school board, and county commission districts, as well as state legislative and congressional districts. FIU’s proposed precinct map is being finalized and will be distributed as additional material in advance of the Board’s May 24 meeting and will be inserted as Exhibit A to the proposed Resolution.
On April 22, 2022, a lawsuit was filed challenging the congressional district map that Governor DeSantis signed into law. On May 11, 2022, the trial court indicated it would enjoin the approved map and require the use of an alternate map passed by the Florida Senate. It is likely the State will appeal and seek a stay. Neither the map signed into law by the Governor nor the map the trial court approved changes Broward County’s congressional districts. If a map other than these two is ultimately approved through the pending litigation that impacts congressional districts in Broward County, a subsequent amendment to the precinct map may be necessary and would require further Board action.
If this item is approved by the Board, the County Administrator will provide a certified copy of the Resolution to the SOE, who shall maintain, transmit to the appropriate state agencies, and post the new precincts map and other related materials as required by law. The revised precincts will be utilized beginning with the August 2022 Primary Election.
Source of Additional Information
Nathaniel A. Klitsberg, Senior Assistant County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
None.