Counties Might Reduce Number of Voting Precincts

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Thomas D. Shults, Esq.

Under Fla. Stat. 101.001, the board of county commissioners in each county, upon recommendation of the supervisor of elections, can create or alter voting precincts in the county.  Several supervisors of elections in Florida have recommended that the number of precincts in their counties be reduced, ostensibly as a cost saving measure. A reduction in precincts would correspondingly reduce the number of polling places.  This article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune describes the reduction of precincts that might occur in Sarasota and Manatee counties.  Whether the reduction in precincts will be challenged will likely depend upon if the changes comply with the boundary requirements of Fla Stat 101.001(3), or whether the reduction will disproportionately impact minority neighborhoods or areas that generally lean toward one party. 

Thomas D. Shults, Esq.

About Thomas D. Shults, Esq.

Tom Shults is a partner in the law firm of Kirk-Pinkerton P.A. He represents clients in a range of matters including election law issues,complex business and commercial disputes and probate and trust suits. Mr. Shults is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. Board certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar of competency and experience within a specific area of law. Mr. Shults also holds the highest peer rating possible (AV) from the independent attorney rating agency, Martindale Hubbell. He was recently appointed chair of the Code and Rules of Evidence Committee of the Florida Bar and is a recipient of the Distinguished Community Service Award of the Sarasota County Bar Association. He is an Army veteran and was admitted to the Bar in 1983.
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