Michigan redistricting

Citizen group finds middle ground on House maps, but ignores advice of counsel and changes deadline for submitting legislative district proposals.

The state delegation could remain split. More maps could be coming as emotions turn raw during debate about Detroit districts.

Republicans have controlled the chamber since the early 1980s. The new districts lean Democratic 20-18. Now begins a 45-day public comment period before final approval.

Other states have ‘unpacked’ districts to make legislatures more competitive without diluting minority voices. Can Michigan?

The citizens panel is catching heat for meeting in closed session to discuss whether its maps adhere to the Voting Rights Act.

The citizens panel drew maps that would all but eliminate majority-minority districts. Now, some members want a reset.

Residents push back against legislative maps that leave Michigan with one of 161 districts with more than 50 percent Black voters residents, who said the maps further disenfranchise voters of color.

Michigan currently has 17 majority-Black districts. But in the 10 proposed maps released by the commission last week, only one district would have a voting age population of more than 50 percent African-American.

Every single map submitted for public comment by Michigan’s redistricting commission has bias in favor of Republicans – and therefore against independents and Democrats.

African Americans, Bangladeshis, and Latinos all told the state’s redistricting commission how to draw districts representative of their communities. Some are happy. Most are not.

Detroit gains districts, Republicans could keep control, but new maps also provide a path for far closer elections in the Michigan House.

Republicans have controlled the Michigan Senate for decades. Three new draft redistricting plans could allow Democrats to at least cut into that advantage.

Eight incumbents would be clustered in districts with at least another representative. The maps now go to the public for hearings before final approval.

More drafts are on the way, and the vote wasn’t without some dissent.

For the first time, redistricting is being done in public. Some progressives and conservatives say they’re unhappy with what they are seeing.

Republicans have controlled the Senate for years. A new plan would give both parties an edge in 19 districts apiece.

Current districts drawn by a bipartisan citizen group would allow Republicans to receive fewer total statewide votes than Democrats, but still keep hold of power in Lansing.

Despite gerrymandering claims, new maps from an independent group could give the GOP a bigger edge than they had when districts were drawn in secret.

After decades of gerrymandering by politicians of both parties, Michigan has the opportunity to finally have fair, balanced districts that reflect the diverse communities across our state. That's a goal everyone should be working toward.

It would be healthy for our democracy and for the voices of all citizens to see a blend of urban and rural people in legislative districts. Then elected officials would really need to consider everyone's needs more evenly.