By Tom Beebe

Knute Rockne—the greatest gridiron coach of all time—was talking to his Notre Dame football team. The same message has always applied to America more generally: If you can’t do it without cheating and lying, winning isn’t worth it. This is the all-American way.

Never known for their ethics, Florida Republicans are trying to win elections by cheating. Governor Ron DeSantis, in order to make nicey-nice with President Donald Trump, called a special session to gerrymander the state’s legislative districts—unethically, against the constitution, illegally, and definitely unfairly.

To win that advantage, Republicans ignored Florida’s Fair Districts Amendment that passed with 63 percent of the statewide vote. The dirty trick would split communities and shift people into districts with entirely different priorities.

Here in Southwest Florida, Fort Myers and Cape Coral could be unfairly divided in ways that diminish our representation in Washington. Noncompetitive elections reduce accountability and make it easier for incumbents to keep their good-paying jobs without truly working for the people they represent.

Now the fight has moved to the courts, where legal challenges are underway over whether DeSantis’ redistricting push violates Florida’s constitution and the Fair Districts protections voters demanded years ago. Floridians are once again being forced to defend fair representation from politicians who seem more interested in protecting power than protecting democracy.

Republican cheating makes voters unwilling pawns in petty political pursuits. That is something no voter Democrat, Republican, or independent—should accept. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Other states have already taken the leap into the 21st century and found fairness and honesty. Unlike Florida, the Iowa redistricting plan has ensured that everything possible is done to keep the hands of politicians out of the process. Maps are drawn by nonpartisan legislative staff under the guidance of citizens serving on the Temporary
Redistricting Advisory Committee.

Most importantly, Iowa law forbids districts from being drawn to favor any political party, incumbent, or special interest group. Data involving party affiliation, incumbency, and prior election results cannot even be used in drawing the maps.

Florida voters deserve the same fairness.

Democrats and fair-minded voters across Southwest Florida have a crucial role to play in making things right. Pay attention to the ongoing legal challenges defending the Fair Districts Amendment. Talk to your neighbors, speak out publicly, write letters to the editor, and support efforts to protect voting rights and fair elections.
Let people know you understand the game being played. Explain that fair districts are not a partisan issue—they are an American issue. And when election time comes, remember who tried to redraw the rules to benefit
themselves.