The group behind the constitutional amendment that created Michigan’s citizen-led, independent redistricting process took steps Monday to defend the commission’s work in court against a lawsuit brought by Republicans challenging the new congressional map.
Voters Not Politicians filed a motion to intervene as a defendant in the lawsuit against the commissioners who drew the map.
The lawsuit, filed by a group of Michigan Republicans in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, alleges that there is no legal justification for the population differences between the congressional districts drawn by the commission and that the new lines unnecessarily split up counties and municipalities.
A three-judge panel was recently appointed in the case.
“We seek to intervene to ensure that the voice of Michigan’s voters are clearly heard in this case,” said Nancy Wang, executive director of Voters Not Politicians.
“Independent redistricting commissions, like the one passed by Michigan voters in 2018, are designed to ensure that our political system remains by, of and for the people,” said Paul Smith, senior vice president at Campaign Legal Center, which is providing legal representation to Voters Not Politicians. “The court should reject this effort to prevent the commission from accomplishing the purpose for which it was overwhelmingly approved by the voters.”
This article was originally published by the Detroit Free Press. Continue reading here: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/02/07/michigan-redistricting-maps/6698405001/
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