New Congressional Districts Shift Boundaries in Lakeland and Surrounding Areas
Independent, local news about Lakeland, Fl.
Gov. Ron Desantis signed a new congressional district map into law on Monday, May 4. The map shifts the boundary of District 18, which previously divided Lakeland largely along Florida Avenue.
Now, the district boundary follows much of the Polk County line and incorporates the whole city of Lakeland and most of Polk County into Rep. Scott Franklin’s (R) district.
The map was approved by the Florida Senate and House during last week’s special session.
Search for your address on the new congressional district map to see if you are affected:
Read more about the redistricting from our partners at WUSF: Florida Legislature pushes forward DeSantis GOP-boosting congressional map
Melony Bell, supervisor of elections in Polk County, said that her office expects to begin implementing the new map in the next few weeks.
“By law, we have to send new voter registration cards out, and we just got finished with that, and now we’ll have to redo it again.” Bel…