Caped Crusaders -- Heroes of American Democracy (October 2021)
A group of concerned Michigan citizens met on Facebook and decided that partisan gerrymandering in Michigan had gone too far and had to go. https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/06/proposal-2-michigan-gerrymandering/1847078002/ They developed and promoted a ballot initiative – Proposition 2 which passed by over 60% of the vote in 2018. https://ballotpedia.org/Michigan_Proposal_2,_Independent_Redistricting_Commission_Initiative_(2018) and https://www.npr.org/2018/11/07/664993438/voters-approve-major-changes-to-redistricting-and-other-voting-laws This year is its first test of democracy in action.
The Independent Commission includes 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans and 5 independents. Their names are chosen at random from a total of 200 prospective commissioners selected at random from those who apply. The state legislative party leaders each have peremptory challenges of no more than 5 prospective commissioners. Sitting legislators and elected officials cannot serve on the Commission. The final 13 commissioners are then selected at random. The final maps must be approved by at least two Democrats, two Republicans and two independents, and a majority of the Commissioners. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(l2w5jmza1lvb3kw23uquwocs))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-Article-IV-6
The criteria for line drawing are as follows:
· One man one vote, compliance with the Voting Rights Act and other applicable federal laws.
· Geographically contiguous and reasonably compact
· Reflects the state’s diversity and communities of interest, reflects existing county, city and township boundaries
· No disproportionate advantage to either political party
· Shall not favor or disfavor any incumbent or candidate https://votersnotpoliticians.com/redistricting-amendment-criteria/
In the past, the voting districts were “packed”; e.g. three, oddly shaped Detroit area districts were 90% African American, thereby diluting the voting powers of African American communities. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/maps-show-how-gerrymandering-benefitted-michigan-republicans Initial assessments of the draft maps have been positive. https://wdet.org/posts/2021/10/14/91539-two-authorities-on-gerrymandering-weigh-in-on-michigans-redistricting-commission/