Redistricting 2021 & People Powered Fair Maps Michigan
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 has a position in support of an Independent Redistricting Commission, and 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.
Since its first meeting in September, 2021, the League has been observing and reporting on all of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) meetings.
For more information about the MICRC:
On December 28, 2021, the Michigan Independent Redistricting Commission approved district maps for U.S. Congress, Michigan House and Michigan Senate. The maps were based on 2020 Census data and were drawn by the Commission under the guidance of the seven ranked criteria listed in the Michigan Constitution.
The following maps were approved:
U.S. Congress, Chestnut
Michigan state Senate, Linden
Michigan state House, Hickory
For details of the maps and the ranking of the criteria, please go to Michigan.gov/micrc
As required by the Michigan Constitution, each type of map was approved by a majority vote of the 13 member Commission, including two Democrats, two Republicans and two Commissioners not affiliated with either major party. The approved maps replaced approved by the Michigan Legislature in 2011.
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 this past spring to educate Michigan voters on the MICRC’s process of drawing new legislative and congressional maps
After working toward an independent redistricting commission for more than 10 years, our work finally reached a pinnacle in 2021.
As observers of all of the MICRC hearings, the League of Women Voters has chosen to take action and make public comments several times concerning the Commission’s operation:
2-28-22
2-1-22
12-16-21
11-10-21
10-11-21
8-31-2021
8-25-2021
8-19-2021
8-12-2021
7-15-2021
7-9-2021
6-30-2021
6-16-2021
6-9-2021
5-7-2021
12-17-2020