As of May 1st, the U.S. Department of Justice precleared Florida's enacted state senate, state house, and congressional district maps. That gives us the green light to move forward with redistricting plans in Pasco County. I'm pleased to report that many of the recommendations we made with regards to using existing precinct boundaries and adhering to existing city boundaries were implemented as part of the legislature's new maps. This will result in greater efficiency and a cost savings to the taxpayers of our county.

My staff and I have been working on this project for some time and have had many planning meetings on redistricting. It is inevitable that there will be changes made to our current precincts and polling place locations. These changes are not taken lightly, and there is much consideration before finalizing these decisions. Please know that every effort is made to provide voters with a polling location that is in close proximity, is of adequate size, has adequate parking and is easily accessible. In the case of precinct line changes, the new maps often drive these decisions as well as matters of practicality when dealing with natural boundaries.

Work has already begun on updating the maps that will be on precinct-specific sample ballots. Before the primary election, our website pascovotes.com will have updated precinct and polling location information as well as new maps. In accordance with state law, all Pasco County voters will receive new Voter information Cards. Your new information card will have the latest information specific to your address, representative in Congress, state senate, state house, school board and county commission, in addition to polling place information. In order to receive this important information, please be sure your voter registration address is up-to-date before July.

If you have any questions regarding the process of redistricting, please contact my office. We look forward to this very important election season and being of service to the citizens of Pasco County.