Federal judge sides with ACLU in Miami redistricting case

MIAMI (FLV) – U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore once again ruled in favor of the organization Engage Miami and the American Civil Liberties Union against the City of Miami commissioners in a case on city redistricting.

The order reportedly follows a suit by local residents and advocacy groups that the city was unfairly packing Black and Hispanic voters in certain districts.

The city’s updated map, and an original version by commissioners, was also struck down in May.

In his ruling, Moore found the commissioners’ proposed map “fails to correct the constitutional violations it found substantially to exist” and “perpetuates the impact” of the city’s rejected map’s “unconstitutional racial gerrymandering of the election districts.”

Victoria Mendez, an attorney for the City of Miami, issued a statement to WLRN in response to the ruling.

“We appreciate the Court’s valuable insight into the City’s Redistricting process, but the Court waited to [sic] long in making this determination pursuant to caselaw,” said Mendez. “The Court did not truly give the City Commission the presumption of good faith with regard to their legislative functions. We plan to appeal.”

One of the major changes prepared by the ALCU keeps all of Coconut Grove and Flagami in their respective districts. Both areas had been split up under the city’s plan. Both sections have high percentages of Hispanic residents, including Flagami with nearly 94%.

Predominately black neighborhoods of Overtown and Liberty City are also staying together in District 5.

The adopted map will be used for November’s municipal election. Even on appeal, the city must submit its new version by Monday.

“It’s a new day for Miami voters who will finally have a fair say in our elections,” said Engage Eight representative Yanelis Valdes. “The court’s decision to reject the city’s gerrymander and order the plaintiffs’ map means Miami’s communities will get fair representation in government this November.”