DeSantis signs bill creating referendum in Alachua County for single-member districts

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that creates a special referendum that could affect the way county commissioners are elected in Alachua County.

HB 1493 will allow voters to decide in November if commissioners should continue to be elected at-large, by all county voters, or change to district-level voting, where only voters who reside in a particular district cast ballots for their commissioner.

Alachua County officials have argued that state Rep. Chuck Clemons (R-Newberry), who introduced the bill Jan. 10, is trying to circumvent the county’s charter, which provides for other means for such a referendum: a vote of the county’s Charter Commission, a vote of the County Commission, or a petition drive in which 10% of registered voters approve of the ballot question.

"This initiative by Rep. Clemons and Senator (Keith) Perry is an attack by Tallahassee on Alachua County's Home Rule Charter," County Commissioner Ken Cornell said in a February interview.

Clemons, a former Alachua County commissioner himself, pointed out in February that of the 67 counties in Florida, more than one third have commissioners who are elected from single-member districts.

“It’s very common,” he said. “My advocacy is for people in the community who are disgruntled at a perceived lack of representation.”

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Alachua County Commission Chairwoman Marihelen Wheeler said Tuesday that she wasn't surprised after the bill was passed by both the House and Senate that the governor signed the bill.

"We are ready to address it and educate people going forward as to the best use of their vote," Wheeler said, while noting she sees no benefit to the referendum. "They have five commissioners now and will be better served by five commissioners in the future."

Wheeler, who represents District 2, which includes the areas north of Newberry into the cities of Alachua and High Springs, said that if people don't believe that they are being represented well then they should put a candidate in the races and get that person elected.

"I do understand the concerns of people thinking that Gainesville is the tail that wags the dog, but this is where the bulk of the population is," she said.

Wheeler will face off against Charlie Jackson, who worked for the county for 20 years, lastly serving as its facilities director, in the Aug. 23 Democratic primary. The winner will then face Ed Braddy, a former mayor of Gainesville and current chairman of the Alachua County Republican Party in the Nov. 8 general election.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida governor signs bill creating referendum in Alachua County