Orange County has officially launched its 2025 redistricting process, a comprehensive and legally required review of County Commission district boundaries that could significantly impact growing communities like Horizon West. The effort follows the passage of Charter Amendment 6 in November 2024, which expands the number of commission districts from six to eight. The new map must be adopted by November 1, 2025, in time for the 2026 general election, when the expanded nine-member Board—eight commissioners and the mayor—takes effect.

To manage this transition, the County has formed the Mid-Decennial Redistricting Advisory Committee (MRAC), a 15-member citizen board created by Resolution 2025-M-04. Each of the six current commissioners has appointed two members, and the mayor has appointed three. The committee will recommend a redistricting plan for final approval by the Board of County Commissioners. Throughout the process, Orange County officials have emphasized public transparency and community participation.

The legal foundation for redistricting is complex but rooted in core principles. Chief among them is the federal requirement for population equality, ensuring each district contains a population as close as practicable to the countywide average. The target is based on total population, not just registered or voting-age residents. District deviations are generally permissible within a 10% range to accommodate other legal considerations.

Another critical component is compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act, which prohibits minority vote dilution and may require the creation of majority-minority districts in certain circumstances. The legal tests for this—known as the Gingles Preconditions—require detailed demographic analysis and historical voting data. The County must also ensure all districts are contiguous, as mandated by both the Florida Constitution and the Orange County Charter.

While legal requirements form the foundation of the redistricting process, additional “traditional redistricting principles” are also considered. These include compactness, preserving municipal boundaries, maintaining communities of interest, preserving the cores of existing districts, and protecting incumbent continuity. Although not legally binding, these principles help ensure fairness and stability and may be used to defend against legal challenges.

To support its work, the MRAC has been provided with demographic maps, GIS data from the Supervisor of Elections, and a set of formal procedures adopted on March 13, 2025. The committee is expected to submit proposed maps later this year.

District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson, who represents Horizon West, is encouraging residents to get involved early. A community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23 at West Orange Recreation Center. This session will provide residents with an opportunity to learn more about the process, understand how proposed changes may affect them, and provide feedback that could shape the future district map.

Given Horizon West’s explosive population growth, resident participation will be key to ensuring fair representation. Redrawing lines without input could risk splitting neighborhoods or underrepresenting fast-growing areas, while active involvement helps ensure the final boundaries reflect community identity and needs.

Residents can access detailed information, submit comments, and view upcoming meetings at ocfl.net/redistricting2025.