The anti-gerrymandering movement took a potentially big step forward
today as the League of Women voters announced that they will hold 30 town hall
meetings across the state to educate the public about Michigan’s redistricting process.
A key aspect of those many discussions, as anticipated,
will be a detailed look at the prospect of an independent, bipartisan
commission drawing the district lines, rather than the Legislature. Supporters of
redistricting reform hope the League of Women Voters of Michigan will lead the way
toward a petition drive that would put the issue on the 2016 ballot.
Most of the 30 town halls will take place in southeast
Michigan but the LWV will also venture to outposts such as Leelenau,
Berrien and Manistee counties, as well as Midland, Traverse City, Mount
Pleasant, Flint, Holland and East Lansing.
Michigan but the LWV will also venture to outposts such as Leelenau,
Berrien and Manistee counties, as well as Midland, Traverse City, Mount
Pleasant, Flint, Holland and East Lansing.
Here’s the press release put out a few hours ago by the
LWV:
LWV:
“Redistricting in
Michigan: Should Politicians Choose Their Voters, or Voters their Politicians?”
Michigan: Should Politicians Choose Their Voters, or Voters their Politicians?”
LANSING – The
League of Women Voters of Michigan announced today that it would host over 30
Town Halls throughout the fall to educate the public on the
League of Women Voters of Michigan announced today that it would host over 30
Town Halls throughout the fall to educate the public on the
importance of
redistricting.
redistricting.
The presentation will
explore how legislative lines are drawn in Michigan,
who draws them and why it is a critically important question for those concerned
about fair representation.
explore how legislative lines are drawn in Michigan,
who draws them and why it is a critically important question for those concerned
about fair representation.
“In Michigan the
district lines are drawn by elected officials in the Legislature,effectively
allowing politicians to choose their voters, rather than voters their elected leaders,”
said Judy Karandjeff, president of the League of Women Voters of Michigan.
district lines are drawn by elected officials in the Legislature,effectively
allowing politicians to choose their voters, rather than voters their elected leaders,”
said Judy Karandjeff, president of the League of Women Voters of Michigan.
“This system gives the political party in
power at the time a tremendous
advantage but is this the best system for voters? Our Town Halls will explore central
questions, such as: What are the consequences of partisan drawn districts that
favor one party over another? Is there a
better and fairer way to do this? What are the alternatives?”
power at the time a tremendous
advantage but is this the best system for voters? Our Town Halls will explore central
questions, such as: What are the consequences of partisan drawn districts that
favor one party over another? Is there a
better and fairer way to do this? What are the alternatives?”
The U.S. Supreme
Court’s recent decision on Arizona’s Independent Restricting Commission said
there is an alternative and that citizens, not just politicians, have the right to decide
how Congressional district lines are drawn.
The decision has grabbed the
public’s attention. Some have asked if
Michigan, like Arizona, should use an independent
commission to draw the lines, not only for the Congressional Districts, but for
the State House and Senate, as well.
Court’s recent decision on Arizona’s Independent Restricting Commission said
there is an alternative and that citizens, not just politicians, have the right to decide
how Congressional district lines are drawn.
The decision has grabbed the
public’s attention. Some have asked if
Michigan, like Arizona, should use an independent
commission to draw the lines, not only for the Congressional Districts, but for
the State House and Senate, as well.
This alternative and others will be explored
in-depth at the town hall.
in-depth at the town hall.
“Government is
supposed to be of, by and for the people, but more and more it seems to ordinary voters
that their voices are not being heard and that our elected leaders are becoming more
extreme, less compromising and more disconnected from a public they are
supposed to serve,” said President Karandjeff.
supposed to be of, by and for the people, but more and more it seems to ordinary voters
that their voices are not being heard and that our elected leaders are becoming more
extreme, less compromising and more disconnected from a public they are
supposed to serve,” said President Karandjeff.
“Instead, special interests and
lobbyists seem to get the attention of our elected leaders. We need to ask fundamental
questions about why this is happening and whether allowing politicians to draw
their own districts contributes to the problem.”
lobbyists seem to get the attention of our elected leaders. We need to ask fundamental
questions about why this is happening and whether allowing politicians to draw
their own districts contributes to the problem.”
A complete list of
Town Halls by date and location can be found on the League of Women Voters
website at: www.lwvmi.org. The events
are free and open to the public. All are invited to attend.
Town Halls by date and location can be found on the League of Women Voters
website at: www.lwvmi.org. The events
are free and open to the public. All are invited to attend.
