DETROIT — Citizens in Michigan voted in 2018 to rid gerrymandering, a referendum lead by the group Voter, Not Politicians. In previous years, gerrymandering allowed politicians to draw up maps to manipulate or cast favor to one political party or for election results they want. Starting in 2022, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, a bipartisan group, will take on the role of drawing up new boundaries state-wide.
According to the State of Michigan’s website, the commission’s mission is to “assure Michigan’s Congressional, State Senate and State House district lines are drawn fairly in a citizen lead, transparent process, meeting Constitutional mandates.”
The criteria for reaching a fair and equitable standard calls on the commission to access equal population, adhere to the voting rights act, community interest, and partisan fairness.
Senator Adam Hollier believes this commission has drafted maps that have cut up Detroit an “unacceptable and untenable” way.
“We need to maintain the number of majority-minority districts at every level which is two at the congressional level, five at the State Senate level, and 10 at the State House,” said State Senator Hollier. “We live in a state that has racially-polarized voting, which means people tend to vote for people in their same race.”
Hollier argues the importance of communities of color having appropriate representation. He believes Detroiters and Black citizens will not have districts where they can elect the person of their choice, based on drafted maps by the commission. “They drew districts that are not indicative of black communities and Detroit. They drew the City of Detroit into districts that Detroiters won’t win and Black people won’t win because majority of the voter base are in suburban communities particularly in primaries where Democratic races are decided.”
The Michigan Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission will hold public hearings for Monday, October 11 and Tuesday, October 12 – just as votes on statewide drafted maps are planned for early next week.
“The commissioners have been very responsive to communities that have testified,” Hollier adds. “I think the commissioners want to draw good maps they just need Detroiters to participate.”
Citizens when can register to give community feedback for upcoming public hearings at the following:
Monday Hearing: https://www.research.net/r/VQZH82Z
Tuesday Hearing: https://www.research.net/r/VWCJDJP
To find out more information and how to view drafted maps visit www.michigan.gov/micrc
About Post Author
