Lee County redistricting map decision coming under fire from voters, racial justice organizations

Controversy over making everyone’s vote count is brewing in Lee County. The county had seven options for voting districts. The one they picked made some people feel left out and angry.

As far as Lee County commissioners are concerned, the decision’s final.

The secretary of state will almost certainly certify the choice of what’s known as map five early next month.

The only real hurdle will come if someone challenges the map in court.

Voters are demanding answers from the three commissioners who voted to adopt this district map.

Audrea Anderson, with Southwest Florida Voices for Racial Justice, said, “we are here to hear from you commissioners Pendergrass, Sandelli, Ruane. We want to hear your rationale for favoring redistricting map five. It’s the one that gerrymandered Dunbar.”

The new map fails to rejoin Dunbar with the rest of metropolitan Fort Myers and create a majority-minority district.

At Tuesday’s redistricting hearing, the three commissioners who voted in favor of map five defended their decision.

“The majority of people who wrote in to us wanted map five. Whether people like change or they don’t, I represent democracy,” said Commissioner Kevin Ruane.

They also defended themselves against personal attacks.

“I do get upset when I hear people say that I came from white privilege. I didn’t come from white privilege. I came from modest means,” said Commissioner Ray Sandelli.

Ruane also responded to those attacking his character. “I am certainly offended by the fact that people are calling me racist. They don’t know the first thing about me so I will attribute it to their emotion. That is inaccurate.”

The NAACP and other neighbors say actions speak louder than words and the organization is not happy.

Mike Love, the director of economic development for the NAACP and co-chair for the redistricting committee said, “the people in the community do feel that there is something deep and systemic that could be going on.” He continued saying, “the only way we can effectuate change or changes in this county is if we go to court and use the legal system because we have tried.”

The NAACP and other racial justice groups have said they are prepared to let the courts have the final say on the map.

The Lee County attorney maintains the adopted map is fair, legal and meets all of the necessary criteria.