DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – A number of Detroit area residents are pushing back on the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission’s latest recommendations for new legislative maps.
Why are residents pushing back?
In a filing last Friday, the same attorneys who successfully argued to have the maps redrawn the first time are seeking a new map, arguing that the new map will favor incumbent lawmakers.
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“Because of the immense advantage that incumbents enjoy, that virtually ensures that the results of the 2022 election — conducted using the invalidated House map — will essentially be locked in for the foreseeable future,” the filing reads.
The plaintiffs in the case draw attention to the fact that no incumbents share any of the newly drawn districts, proof that incumbency was a consideration while drawing the new maps; a move forbidden in the rules governing the redrawing process. An analysis by the plaintiffs’ expert, Sean Trende of RealClearPolitics, found there was only a 1% chance the maps could be randomly drawn so that no incumbent was facing off against another according to the Detroit News.
Reasons for the new proposed map.
The proposed map comes after a multitude of meetings that the Redistricting Committee held to address judges’ decision that the original maps had violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution in December, demanding that the commission adjust more than a dozen districts ahead of the spring special election.
Latest proposed map receives commission approval.
At the end of February, the commission voted in a 10-3 vote to approve a map titled “Motown Sound FC E1” with adjustments to House Districts 1-14, and a change to District 16.
Out of the 13 member commission, all the Democrat members voted in favor, as well as four independent commissioners and two Republicans.
Chairwoman and Member Brittni Kellom (Democrat) shared her thoughts on the map.
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“Unless it wasn’t genuine, but I know that it was, I think that the moments we shared together whether you were virtual or in person, but particularly in person, you felt the momentum, the ah ha moments, and it was around Motown Sound,” she explained during a recent Commission meeting, adding, “What I heard collectively was a resounding voice for Motown Sound map.”
Motown Sound FC E1 was chosen out of the 11 proposed maps that the commission has created.
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