BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Friday, a U. S. District Judge dismissed a lawsuit pertaining to Amendment 6. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart and Congresswoman Corrine Brown filed the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was based on the question of whether Amendment VI to the Florida Constitution violate Article I (the Elections Clause) of the U. S. Constitution.

U. S. Judge Ursula Ungaro stated in her ruling, “The state Constitution authorizes the people to participate in the lawmaking process. Article XI permits voters to attach new conditions to the exercise of the legislature’s various powers. Once the people of Florida act to limit the legislature’s options through a Constitutional Amendment, the new Constitutional provision binds the legislature.”

Individuals named in the lawsuit stated that Amendment VI prevents lawmakers from drawing congressional districts that protect incumbents.

Judge Ungaro also said that on its face, “The amendment prohibits the legislature from intentionally favoring or disfavoring a political party or an incumbent, and from intentionally denying racial and language minorities an equal opportunity to participate in the legislative process.”

Attorney Arthenia Joyner, one of the defendants in the lawsuit said, “I was very pleased to hear of Judge Ursula Ungaro’s decision to uphold Amendment VI which was overwhelmingly supported during last year’s elections by 63 percent of Florida voters. But, I remain concerned that some politicians stubbornly refuse to accept the people’s will. And continue to use taxpayers’ money to fight the new anti-gerrymandering standards in order to protect their own jobs.

“Our government representatives took an oath to uphold the Constitution, of which Amendment VI is now a part. It’s a pity it took a federal judge to remind them of their duty. I suggest they begin to listen.”