THERE’S STILL TIME TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE MAPS BEFORE 12/30/21!
While it may seem complicated and a bit overwhelming, submitting comments on the various proposed maps is important because once the new maps are adopted, they will define the district in which you vote ⏤ the state legislature (MI Senate and House) and U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan ⏤ for years to come.
Following five required Public Hearings, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) approved their proposed collaborative maps by majority vote. The following nine collaborative proposed maps which had been drawn in public session and approved by the MICRC, were published on November 12, 2021: Three Congressional maps, three Senate maps, and three House maps.
In addition, after much discussion, the Commission agreed that maps submitted by individual Commissioners for possible consideration on December 30, 2021, must be published on November 12, along with the collaborative maps. The individual maps, however, will not be subject to approval by the Commission before being published.*
www.michigan.gov/micrc
All 15 published maps ⏤ including legal descriptions, census data, etc. ⏤ can be viewed on the MICRC website (see above link) under “Proposed Maps.”
Information on the process for adopting new legislative districts in Michigan, information on the alternative proposed maps currently up for public comment, and information on how to submit comments on the proposed maps prior to the Michigan Independent Citizen’s Redistricting Commission’s vote scheduled for December 30, 2021, can be found at the Commission’s website:
45-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
As required by the Constitutional Amendment, the 45-day public comment period started when the maps were published on November 12, 2021. If the MICRC changes any of the maps’ district boundaries during this 45-day public comment period, it will trigger another 45-day public comment period following the publication of the new map. The public is encouraged to comment on which of the published maps should be chosen or rejected by the MICRC on December 30, 2021.
DECEMBER 30 VOTE ON FINAL MAPS:
On December 30, 2021, Commissioners will choose final maps, using the process outlined in the Michigan Constitution, as follows:
- The collaborative maps for each type of district, U.S. Congress, state Senate and state House, will be voted upon separately. A majority vote including at least 2 Republicans, 2 Democrats and 2 Independents is required to approve the maps.
- If #1 is not successful, they will use a form of Ranked Choice Voting. Each Commissioner may submit one plan for each type of district.
- If Ranked Choice Voting is not successful, the Secretary of State will use a random choice method to select the final map from maps submitted by Commissioners.
The new districts are to take effect prior to the 2022 primary and general elections.
The League has been observing and reporting on the MICRC since their first meeting in September 2021. For more information on the League’s monitoring, go to: https://lwvmi.org/redistricting-2021-people-powered-fair-maps-nys/.
DISTRICT MAPPING CRITERIA:
The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is required to consider certain criteria, in priority order, as follows:
The commission shall abide by the following criteria in proposing and adopting each plan, in order of priority:
(a) Districts shall be of equal population as mandated by the United States Constitution and shall comply with the voting rights act and other federal laws.
(b) Districts shall be geographically contiguous. Island areas are considered to be contiguous by land to the county to which they are a part.
(c) Districts shall reflect the state’s diverse population and communities of interest. Communities of interest may include, but shall not be limited to, populations that share cultural or historical characteristics or economic interests. Communities of interest do not include relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates.
(d) Districts shall not provide a disproportionate advantage to any political party. A disproportionate advantage to a political party shall be determined using accepted measures of partisan fairness.
(e) Districts shall not favor or disfavor an incumbent elected official or candidate.
(f) Districts shall reflect consideration of county, city, and township boundaries.
(g) Districts shall be reasonably compact.
Comments should focus on how the various maps respond to these criteria requirements, noting the priority order of the criteria.
ALTERNATIVE VERSIONS OF PROPOSED MAPS UNDER CONSIDERATION:
Comments should also focus on specific versions of the proposed district map. There are maps voted on by the full Commission; these maps are named after trees. Individual commissioners have also proposed versions of certain maps…with differing boundaries for the various legislative districts. Review the alternatives and then select the version on which you wish to submit your comments.
TO MAKE COMMENTS ONLINE:
To make your comments, go to the Commission’s webpage at the link below and follow these instructions:
https://www.michigan.gov/micrc/0,10083,7-418-107190_109075—,00.html
- For each map, zoom in on the district you want to see by clicking its name in the table to the right.
- In the right-hand column next to the map, click “Add Comment.” Then click on the map.
- A form pops up for you to say whether you like the map, or not, and why. Fill it out and submit it.
- Open your email and click on the link they sent you, so your comment will appear next to the map.
* Individual Commissioners who submitted their own maps include the following⏤ Congressional maps: Rhonda Lange (R) and Rebecca Szetela (I); Senate maps: Brittni Kellom (D), Rhonda Lange (R), and Rebecca Szetela (I); House maps: Rebecca Szetela (I).