Redistricting was a hot topic at this time last year, when Michigan voters took to the polls to amend the constitution to empower an independent commission to redraw the state Senate, House, and U.S. Congressional districts in time for the 2022 election.
That commission is in the early stages of formation and interested citizens can apply online or by paper application from now until June. The entire commission will consist of 13 voters, four of whom identify as Republican, four as Democrats, and five as independent voters, with no party affiliation. Members can not be directly tied to the parties as lobbyists, candidates, or politicians.
There will be a series of random drawings to choose the members. Information from the 2020 Federal Census will be used in the redistricting effort, and there will be efforts made to have fair demographic representation. The attempt to reduce gerrymandering, or the practice of drawing boundaries for political gains, is hoped to be complete by November of 2021.
The process will be overseen by a third-party accounting firm, the Rehmann Group. To ensure that Michiganders are aware of the opportunity to be a part of the redistricting commission, 250,000 randomly chosen registered voters will be getting a mailing with the application instructions, so check your mail to see if you are part of this group. More information is on the Secretary of State website.
Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.
