Up North Progressive

Republicans made another last-ditch effort to override the will of Michigan voters on July 30, 2019, when they filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission based on the claim the law infringed on their 1st and 14th constitutional rights. On Monday, August 13, 2019, Voters Not Politicians, the non-profit organization responsible for successfully bringing the state constitutional amendment to a vote giving voters the power to elect the person they wanted to represent them instead of politicians choosing who gets to vote for them, filed a motion to intervene in the lawsuit, reaffirming their position the purpose of the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is to provide a nonpartisan process to redraw the state’s congressional districts.

The language for the amendment was the result of 33 town halls held throughout the state to ensure Michigan voters’ voices were heard on how they wanted redistricting to be handled. Thousands of volunteers collected the needed signatures months ahead of schedule despite every roadblock Republicans tried to put in the way. 61 percent of Michigan voters voted yes on Proposal 2 in the 2018 election. VNP Executive Director Nancy Wang stated the overwhelming support showed Michigan wanted a nonpartisan, transparent process to redraw the state’s voting districts.

“Voters made it loud and clear that they support a fair, impartial and transparent redistricting process to ensure that voters choose their politicians – not the other way around. This lawsuit is the latest attempt by the same politicians and special interests who tried to keep the redistricting reform amendment off the ballot, to undermine the voice of voters.”

It’s public knowledge that Republicans in Michigan deliberately redrew districts in 2011 to create an unnatural majority for their party no matter how the people of Michigan voted. Republicans celebrated their backroom secret meetings where politicians had direct input on where the lines to their districts would be drawn to ensure they would get re-elected regardless of the will of voters Michigan.

Article IV, section 6, of the Michigan Constitution, only bars a small group of politicians, staff, immediate family members, and lobbyists from serving on the Citizens Redistricting Commission for six years after their last term of office. They can still participate in public hearings required by the new law and had the opportunity recently to provide feedback to the Secretary of State on the language used in the application for commission members. There are still plenty of opportunities for everyone regardless of party or family affiliation to participate in the process. The ban for serving on the commission is temporary, so it would be possible for elected officials and their family members to apply for a seat on the commission in the future.

It’s clear Daunt v. Benson is an excuse for Republicans to stall the execution of the law that the majority of the people of Michigan overwhelmingly favor, with the usual deep pockets spearheading the effort.

Secretary of State Benson’s work to maintain the required timeline for establishing the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission continues. Voters Not Politicians continue to defend the will of Michigan voters who voted to make the commission a permanent process in the state’s elections. VNP appreciates any support in their efforts to keep the power of elections in the hands of voters where it belongs.