Up North Progressive

Michigan’s new Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission made history on December 28, 2021, by choosing new voting district maps for the state. The commission selected the winning maps as the most nonpartisan and fair for voters.

Michigan lost a seat in the US House based on the 2020 Census. The new US Congress map is now divided into 13 districts.

The Michigan State Senate map has some significant changes to make voting for our state senators fairer. The Republican party in Michigan has controlled the state senate for 20 years, thanks to partisan gerrymandering.

The Michigan Legislature’s 110 districts have been redrawn to make them more nonpartisan for voters. Currently, the state legislature has 55 Republicans and 52 Democratic Party members.

Secretary Jocelyn made a statement after the commission’s final meeting:

“Today Michigan’s first Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission voted across party lines to adopt new district maps for our state, completing the most open, independent and citizen-led redistricting process in Michigan history. 
 
The new maps are the culmination of years of work, driven by millions of Michiganders from all walks of life. They advocated fiercely to give citizens the power to draw their own district lines and made their voices heard throughout the entire process. 
 
Our democracy is stronger thanks to Michigan citizens’ engagement, leadership and vision for a fair, inclusive and transparent process that puts voters above politics and ends gerrymandering in Michigan once and for all.”

In Michigan, candidates running for state senate and state house must be residents of the district they wish to represent. Michigan doesn’t require residency for US Congresspeople in Michigan, and this is why Louisiana Citizen Jack Bergman can carpetbag his way into Michigan’s 1st Congressional District. Republicans who have enjoyed effortlessly winning districts will be facing primaries, and they will have to campaign in the general election. Other current members of congress now living in an unwinnable congress seat are probably eyeballing nearby districts.

Our new Citizens Redistricting Commission is due to one woman posting on Facebook. The overwhelming bipartisan support for allowing the citizens of Michigan to redraw the state into a fair map succeeded today. From now on, Michigan’s voting districts are not drawn by one party hellbent on giving themselves every advantage regardless of how people vote. A significant accomplishment and deserves celebration.

In 2022 Michigan’s voters will choose their representatives, not the other way around.