Madison, Fla. — Last night, the Madison County School Board unanimously approved new School Board districts, updating the boundaries following the 2020 Census. The vote follows the County Commission’s unanimous approval of the same map on June 14. The new map passed with the support of the Florida State Conference of the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida. This marks the first time the county has undergone redistricting since the single-member district system was mandated in Voting Rights Act litigation the NAACP brought in 1986.
In recent months, the County Commission and School Board worked with these organizations to develop a new redistricting map that protects Black voters’ ability to participate in democracy and ensures equal representation for all residents. Population shifts had made districts unequal in size, necessitating adjustments to comply with the “One Person, One Vote” requirement of the U.S. Constitution.
“Elected officials and community members worked together to reach a consensus on districts that best serve the people of Madison County,” said Dr. Adora Obi Nweze, president of the Florida State Conference of the NAACP. “Forty years ago, NAACP members sued in Madison County to enforce the Voting Rights Act and secure fair representation they had long been denied. This map protects and strengthens those hard-fought gains.”
“These new districts restore equal representation, make adjustments to better serve the needs of Madison County’s communities, and fulfill the county’s obligations under the Voting Rights Act. We appreciate the efforts of commissioners, school board members, and their staff and consultants in this process,” said Nicholas Warren, staff attorney with the ACLU of Florida.
The new districts can be viewed on Google Maps at this link.
