Trial starts over redistricting in Orlando area

ORLANDO, Fla. — A trial over whether Hispanic voting power was diluted during the last round of redistricting in Florida's Orange County is starting in federal court.
 
Plaintiffs in the trial starting Monday claim the redistricting plan for Orange County was discriminatory under the federal Voting Rights Act since it diluted the voting strength of Hispanic voters.
 
Orange County is the most populous county in central Florida and includes Orlando.
 
Hispanics make up more than a quarter of the voting age population in Orange County, but none of the six county commission districts have a Hispanic majority.
 
Orange County attorneys deny the plan was discriminatory. They say the plaintiffs have failed to show that the Hispanic community is cohesive and compact enough to form a Hispanic-majority district.

WFTV