“We all feel that way,” Wilson added. “[Now] we will also invite two new commissioners up here, and then they will understand the culture of serving all of Orange County. That being said, I want to go ahead and just make sure I'm expressing where I'm positioning myself at this time — and that's with Map 7B.”

The new map, which goes into effect for the 2026 election cycle, creates two Black- and three Hispanic-plurality districts, which advocates said would provide better representation. With a plurality, the primary demographic represents less than 50 percent of a district, but could band together with other groups to swing an election for a preferred candidate. (Incumbent commissioners are unaffected and able to serve out their terms.) 

Map 7B brings no changes to West Orange County. However, it separates Winter Park from the municipalities it's traditionally bundled with, like Maitland and Eatonville, which moves into the new District 7. Winter Park, still in District 5, is now grouped with Bithlo, Christmas and Goldenrod.

That move did not go over well with Winter Park Mayor Sheila DeCiccio, who noted at a prior meeting that the "gerrymandering in Map 7B to include Winter Park would make Texas proud."  

DeCiccio spoke again Tuesday night in support of Map 1A but was forced to keep her comments to a minute or less because the list of people who wanted to comment was so lengthy. 

“We have 68 speakers, and there’s probably no doubt that we’re going to hear some of the same themes,” Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings said. 

With no additional amendments — a move urged by Demings to not “second guess” the redistricting committee’s work — once the map was approved, a copy and its ordinance was forwarded to Tallahassee.

— Norine Dworkin contributed reporting.