Florida redistricting proposal sparks gerrymandering concerns

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Collier County is among the areas affected by Gov. Ron DeSantis' redistricting proposal.

Democrats say this falls in the category of gerrymandering and is borderline legally questionable. Republicans say this proposal reflects the new population, and any way this state can continue to stay red should be done.

With the proposal to redistrict Florida still under review, Collier County voters are split on what it could mean for future elections. WINK News spoke with voters and political parties about the proposal.

"It's illegal to gerrymander the state to favor one political party, which is exactly what DeSantis is trying to do right now," said Jane Schlechtweg, chair of the Collier County Democratic Party. "It's going to end up costing Republican seats, because what they're talking about is taking all of Collier County and putting it into congressional district 26 hooking us up with the east coast of the state, which we really don't have any real connection with."

DeSantis' proposal would redistrict Collier County, meaning the coast would no longer be kept together. Naples would still remain Southwest Florida, whereas Immokalee and Marco Island would now be grouped in with Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Schlechtweg said this proposal is a mistake.

"We are different from the people in Miami," Schlechtweg said. "We have different ideas. And I think it's going to be dangerous for especially for Collier residents, to do that."

Some Collier County voters disagree and say any opportunity the state gets to remain red should be taken.

"We want to keep a Florida conservative," said Linda, a Republican voter. "Not so much Republicans, conservatives. What we're looking for, conservative values and everything the Christian values and stuff like that. We're looking forward to that."

"I feel like it's a good thing because it will give Florida more strength in numbers," said Zoe Lefort, a Republican voter. "I mean I know we have a lot of divided political opinions here, but personally, I feel the Republican party has done a lot more for this state and has made this state stronger."

The chair of the Collier County Republican Party agrees with DeSantis' proposal, saying it reflects the new population and accounts for how many people are moving to Florida.