Sanford working on redistricting plans, Black community members push for fair representation

SANFORD, Fla. — Sanford leaders are tackling redistricting following the 2020 U.S. Census, but some members of the African American community say the redistricting plans they have seen leave certain Black candidates at a disadvantage.

The city has grown in population, and some believe there should be another district added that is primarily African American.

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There are currently two African Americans on the council, but they fear if the plans are approved the way they are now, there could be no Black representation on the board.

The city council took up the issue of redistricting during a work session Monday afternoon.

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In 1983, the African American community sued to have representation on the Sanford City Council and won.

Resident Roman Oliver said District 2, which has always had a 65% African American majority of voters, has been reduced to 47% under the new redistricting plan. He said some of those African American voters have been moved into another district and believes that could hurt their chances of winning that seat in the future.

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“We want to make sure that every citizen is represented and we definitely want to make sure that we Blacks are represented justly and fairly,” Oliver said. “It is all about equitability, it is all about fairness, and is all about moving on and achieving the things that a city such as Sanford should be achieving right now.”

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