The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is to be abolished by a GOP resolution
A resolution has been introduced to abolish the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) and return the state to a partisan process, just months after the commission completed redistricting maps for Michigan's updated legislative, state Senate, and state House districts; ignoring the fact that 60% of Voters in Michigan were in favor of creating the panel four years ago.
The resolution was introduced Wednesday by state Rep. Beau LaFave (R-Iron Mountain), and it would make sweeping changes to the language in the Michigan Constitution that created the commission and that was added following a 2018 ballot initiative that passed by almost two-thirds of Michigan voters.
A redistricting plan for state senate districts and state house of representative’s districts has to be adopted by the legislature by November 1, 2031, and every 10 years thereafter, states the resolution, which also includes congressional districts. It is necessary for a redistricting plan to be adopted by a joint resolution that is approved by two thirds of members elected to and serving in each house of the legislature."
Seven Republicans, including LaFave, filed suit in January stating that the congressional map "fragments counties, townships, and municipalities" without sufficient reason. Despite a motion April 1 to toss out the maps, a three-judge panel of the 6th Court of Appeals denied the motion. Nonetheless, the case remains pending.
A resolution adopted by LaFave says districts must "not cross more county boundaries than is reasonable," as well as city and township boundaries. Clearly this is another example of the GOP trying to take away/or ignore the will of Voters.
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