NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY

For Immediate Release: May 31st, 2011
Contact: Eric Jotkoff, (850) 222-3411

Chairman Smith Applauds U.S. Justice Department’s Preclearance of Fair District Amendments

Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith released the following statement applauding the U.S. Justice Department approval of the Fair District Amendments for preclearance. Chairman Smith submitted the Florida Democratic Party’s support of preclearance for the amendments on April 26th, 2011 to the U.S. Justice Department.

“I would like to applaud the U.S. Justice Department for approving the Fair District Amendments through the preclearance process.

“Last fall, Florida’s voters enshrined standards of fairness in the Florida Constitution when nearly 63% of voters supported the Fair District Amendments.

“By approving the Fair District Amendments for preclearance under the Voting Rights Act, the U.S. Justice Department certified that these amendments not only protect minority voters, but that they also embed the principle of fairness in the Florida Constitution to further protect minority voting rights.

“The Florida Democratic Party will not sit back and allow the will of Floridians to be frustrated or delayed by those who simply seek to deny Floridians fair elections in fair districts. While today’s approval was a huge step forward, we will continue fighting for a fair redistricting throughout the reappointment process.”

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