The following statement can be attributed to Nancy Wang, Executive Director of Voters Not Politicians, on the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission’s first public hearing today:
“We are thrilled that Michigan’s first-ever Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) will hold its first public hearing in Jackson today. This is the start of a public hearing tour that the MICRC is doing to collect input from Michiganders statewide about how best to draw the state’s congressional and legislative district lines – a vital function in our democracy.
Today was made possible because thousands of everyday Michiganders stepped up from across the state to amend our state Constitution to create a fair, impartial, and transparent redistricting process. Voters Not Politicians wrote the amendment, educated thousands of people on gerrymandering, and organized a grassroots, people-led campaign to collect signatures to put that amendment on the ballot. We are so proud of the work done by our organization and volunteers that brought us to this point.
For the past year, we have been educating communities and individuals across the state on how to make their voices heard by sharing the best practices, tools, and resources we have learned from redistricting commissioners in other states and national redistricting experts. Today, the MICRC begins to listen to the people – and collect critical input from communities and individuals on their interests and how they want to be represented in Michigan’s new fair, impartial and transparent maps.
We urge all Michigan residents to make their voices heard at a public hearing or by submitting written comments and maps. The MICRC needs our input to draw districts that represent the needs of voters, not politicians.”
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CONTACT: Hannah Lupi
hlupi@martinwaymire.com; 517-643-5153
