U.S. Census and Fair Districts Act Could Change Dunedin's Representation

You fulfilled your civic duty by filing with the U.S. Census Bureau back in the spring. Now that the findings have been released, what does it all mean?

The short answer: The 2010 U.S. Census data, released on Dec. 21, revealed that Florida's population increased by 17.6 percent since the last Census. The increase means that Florida gains two congressional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure its citizens are properly represented.

"I'm very pleased to hear that we will be getting two new congressional seats," said state Sen. Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey), whose district encompasses parts of Pinellas, Pasco, Citrus and Hernando counties. 

Now, the longer answer: The data means that Florida's legislative and congressional districts must be redrawn, a lengthy and potentially contentious process.

In November, Floridians voted to amend the state constitution's rules on redistricting. The new rules, proposed by a group called Fair Districts Florida, will change the game.

The changes to the state constitution require that districts neither favor nor disfavor an incumbent or political party. The districts must not disenfranchise minorities or people who don't speak English. They must also be compact, contiguous and as equal in population as possible.

The proposed amendments drew heavy opposition from Republican lawmakers and support from many Democrats.

The new rules will lessen district gerrymandering, but they are almost impossible to follow to the letter, said Fasano, who opposed the amendments. The state is sure to see legal action from residents claiming lawmakers didn't redistrict right, he said.

"I think the amendment is set up in such a way that it will automatically trigger lawsuits," he said.

State Sen. Dennis Jones (R-Seminole), whose district includes Dunedin, could not be reached for comment at the writing of this story.

Pinellas County's population has dipped slightly since the 2000 Census, meaning it could lose representation, Fasano said. The populations of Hernando and Pasco Counties, however, grew, and they could potentially gain representation, he said.

Figures from the 2000 Census indicate that Dunedin's population was 35,691. Although the official state, county and local counts needed for redistricting will not be released until February, an American Community Survey estimates that, from 2005 to 2009, Dunedin's population bucked county trends; it rose to 36,215.

The U.S. Census Bureau scheduled the release of states' demographic profiles in May. Florida's redistricting won't happen until 2012.

Majority Whip in the state House of Representatives Jim Frishe (R-St. Petersburg) said Pinellas County could lose at least one state House seat because of its population drop. 

Frishe, whose district includes parts of Southern and Middle Pinellas County up to the Dunedin border, said he also fears the Fair Districts changes will open the state up to lawsuits.

The Legislature is making its redistricting computer program available to the press and public to provide transparency, he said.

"This is going to be a very open process, and anybody who has a computer or can use a library computer can participate," he said.