#fl05

Florida's 5th Congressional District, which sprawls across Pasco and seven other counties, has a population that increased 45 percent since the 2000 census. It's now at 929,500 — making it one of the most overpopulated congressional districts in the nation. "Pasco has had tremendous growth — especially in central and east Pasco," Legg said. It's clear Pasco County's main congressional district will be more compact. The committee must adhere to federal laws, such as the Voting Rights Act, and incorporate the provisions voters approved in 2010 when they passed "Fair Districts" amendments. "It's a delicate balancing act," Legg said. "If you move the Pasco or Hernando County line a little bit, it has a ripple effect across the state."

The 8th Congressional District, which covers much of eastern Marion, is 16 percent higher than it should be. The 5th Congressional District, which encompasses western Marion to include Dunnellon and Rainbow Lakes Estates, is among the largest districts in the country and, with a population of almost 930,000, is 33 percent larger than it should be. Rep. Corrine Brown, a Jacksonville Democrat who represents the 3rd Congressional District, was the only local lawmaker to have an underpopulated area.