Winter Garden Council reviews revised district map to enhance representation

The Orange County Mid-Decennial Redistricting Advisory Committee meeting on May 22, 2025, spotlighted significant changes to district boundaries, with a focus on maintaining community integrity while adhering to legal requirements. Committee member Jimmy Affant expressed concerns about the necessity of dividing certain areas, particularly Winter Garden, to accommodate the new map. He emphasized that adjustments were unavoidable, stating, “Something had to give,” as he outlined the affected regions across various districts.

Legal counsel attorney White confirmed that the proposed map meets the “one person, one vote” standard, with a maximum deviation of 5.7%. She noted that the boundaries are contiguous and comply with Florida statutes, ensuring that all existing districts retain their cores. Importantly, the plan maintains the incumbents within their respective districts, a crucial factor for local governance stability.

However, the new map does not create any majority minority districts. Instead, it features three Hispanic plurality districts and two Black plurality districts. This aspect of the redistricting has raised questions about representation and equity within the community.

As the committee moves forward, the implications of these changes will be closely monitored, particularly regarding how they affect local representation and community cohesion. The next steps will involve further discussions and potential adjustments based on community feedback and legal considerations.