Resolution 10836 RESOLUTION NO. 10836
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA, URGING DEFEAT OF THE APPORTION-
MENT MEASURE AT THE NOVEMBER 6, 1962
GENERAL ELECTION.
WHEREAS, the Representative system in the Legislature of the
State of Florida is unfair, inequitable and wrongfully discrimina-
tory to the majority of the residents of said State by denying the
majority of the residents of the State of Florida of an equal voice
and vote pertaining to the affairs of said State; and
WHEREAS, the denial of such voice and vote violates both the
guarantees provided by the Constitution of the United States of
America .and the Constitution of the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, in fact, the State of Florida ranks 50th in the
family of states insofar as fair representation is concerned; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Florida has adopted
a new plan of apportionment therefor, said plan to be placed on
the ballot at the General Election of November 6, 1962 for approval
or rejection by the voters of said State; and
WHEREAS, said apportionment plan does not correct the existing
evils of our representative system, more particularly that it
allows approximately 27% of the population of said state to elect
control of the House of Representatives, and approximately 13% of
the population to elect control of the Senate; and
WHEREAS, said plan violates the provision of Article Seven,
Section 3 of the Constitution of the State of Florida providing
for Senatorial Districts to be as nearly equal in population as
practicable; i.e . , 5th Senatorial District 14,971 population as
against 13th Senatorial District having 935,047 population; and
WHEREAS, as a direct result of the minority control of the
State Legislature the ten most populous counties of the State
not only pay for general operations of the State Government ,
but receive back in state aid only a fraction of the tax monies
paid, while the smaller counties receive back aid in excess of
their contributions; and
WHEREAS, neither the existing nor the proposed system of re-
presentation will bring about a return of the government to the
people and assure to every citizen his right to an equal vote;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA:
1. THAT there does not now exist nor is there in existence
a plan for representation in the State Legislature which provides
each citizen with an equal vote .
2. THAT the continued growth of the State of Florida demands
the existence of a State Legislature free from minority control.
3. THAT the Bill providing for the apportionment of the
membership of both houses of the State Legislature to be placed
on the November 6, 1962 ballot does not grant unto the people of
Florida a fair and equal voice in their government .
4. THAT the proposed apportionment measure be defeated at
said election, and further that all citizens lend their efforts
to bring about a return of the Government to the people of the
State of Florida.
5. That copies of this resolution be forwarded to the
Governor of the State of Florida; members of the Dade County
Legislative delegation and to all other interested parties .
PASSED and ADOPTED this 17th day of October, 1962.
Mayor
ATTEST:
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