Every 10 years after the census is completed, new political lines are drawn for federal, state, county and some local districts. The League of Women Voters of Michigan was instrumental in passing a constitutional amendment in 2018 that requires redistricting to be completed by an independent commission instead of the political party in power. Over 9,000 applications to be part of the Commission were received and the final 13 members were chosen at random. The Michigan Independent Redistricting Commission (MICRC) had its first meeting on September 17. Anyone is invited to listen in on the meetings, which are live-streamed. For the meeting schedule, public hearing schedule, and more information about the MICRC, click here.  Recordings of meetings and public hearings can be found here.  A "half-way through the public heariings" press briefing took place on June 16, 2021 featuring several of the MICRC Commissioners and LWV VP Sue Smith.  Click here to watch the press briefing.

LWVMI has a team of trained League members who are observing and reporting on all the ICRC meetings. The League will be working to help identify Communities of Interest.  Read the public comment here.   An additional public comment was made by LWVMI on May 7, 2021 asking the MICRC to clarify whether EDS, the firm awarded the map drawing contract, will start the process with the current maps or with Communities of Interest. Click here to read the comments.

On June 9, 2021, the League filed an amicus brief with the Michigan Supreme Court in support of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission’s proposed extended timeline for adopting final redistricting plans. The League supports the Commission’s proposal of adopting final plans for new Congressional and legislative districts by January 25 instead of the current November 1 deadline. The Redistricting Commission asked the Michigan Supreme Court for a deadline extension due to a delay in obtaining needed Census Bureau data caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Read the press release and the brief here.

As part of the People Powered Fair Maps Program of the League of Women Voters, local Leagues across Michigan held 28 virtual town hall events to educate Michigan voters on the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission’s process in drawing new legislative and congressional maps. Click here to see the town hall events that are completed and access some of the recordings that are available.   Click here to see the opinion piece in the Detroit Free press about LWVMI's work with redistricting in Michigan.

Thirty-nine bills were introduced in the Michigan State Senate on March 24, 2021, most of which are measures that restrict voter rights and suppress eligible citizens from voting. Christina Schlitt, President of the League has issued a statement, saying that, "The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy and something that state lawmakers should be working to protect instead of attack. The bills that have been announced today are antithetical to fair elections and violate the clear will of Michigan voters who participated in record numbers in 2020."

Click here to see an explanation of the 39 bills plus a chart that details what each bill wants to accomplish, and the League's position on each. Click here to read the League's press release in response to the passage of SB 285, 303 and 304 in the Senate on June 16.  These bills make unreasonable and unnecessary changes to the existing voter ID laws in Michigan.

The League of Women Voters supported Proposal 3, "Promote the Vote", which was passed by Michigan voters in the November, 2018 election. This new constitutional amendment ensures that every eligible person can vote and that every vote will be counted. It safeguards our elections with audits and more accurate voting lists, and removes barriers that can make it harder for citizens to fulfill their responsibility to vote. Michigan citizens are now guaranteed these new voting rights:

• A citizen can register to vote anytime with proof of residency. Click here for details.  Click here to watch a short video about registering to vote. 
• All registered voters can access to an absentee ballot for any reason.  To learn more about absentee ballot voting in Michigan, click here.
• The right to vote a secret ballot is protected.
• Military service members and overseas voters will get their ballots in time for their votes to count.
• Voters have the option to vote straight party.
• Citizens will be automatically registered to vote at the Secretary of State’s office unless the citizen declines.
• The accuracy and integrity of elections are ensured by audits of election results

For detailed information about voter registration, click here.  Another great source of voting information for Michigan voters is a Know Your Rights booklet produced by the ACLU and co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

Inclusiveness enhances the organization’s ability to respond more effectively to changing conditions and needs, and therefore, LWVMI will in both principles and practices promote the inclusion in participation in any activity of LWVMI all persons whatever their gender, race, socio-economic status, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. Read more about the League's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by clicking here.

The League of Women Voters of Michigan is one of 21 members of the Oil and Water Don't Mix Coalition that sent a letter to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality ("MDEQ") and the US Army Corps of Engineers ("Corps") on June 29, 2017 regarding Enbridge Oil Company’s joint application to the MDEQ and the Corps (No. 2RD-DFDK-Y35G) to install 22 anchor supports on the Line 5 pipelines in the Mackinac Straits. The Coalition members are Michigan organizations dedicated to the protection of Michigan’s water, natural resources, public trust in those resources, the environment, communities, and the health, safety and general welfare of citizens.

The Coalition organizations are requesting that MDEQ and the Corps take the following actions with regard to Enbridge’s joint application:
1. Reject as incomplete due to its overly narrow scope of review;
2. Require a comprehensive review of Line 5 in the Straits that includes an assessment of adverse environmental impacts, risks, and feasible and prudent alternatives;
3. Temporarily terminate the transport of crude oil in the Line 5 pipelines during this comprehensive review; and
4. Hold a formal public hearing given that Enbridge Line 5 occupies publicly owned waters and bottomlands and the threat of a catastrophic oil pipeline rupture to the Great Lakes are of tremendous controversy and have generated an extraordinary level of public engagement. Read the entire letter here.

Other resources:
Under-the-Straits tour of Pipeline 5 (3 min. video)
Area businesses expressing concern about Pipeline 5 (3 min video)