LANSING, Mich. – Voters Not Politicians filed an amicus brief yesterday supporting the Secretary of State’s and the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission’s request for additional time to approve the state’s next set of congressional and legislative maps.
The extension is necessary because the U.S. Census Bureau has not provided data necessary to properly draw maps. Currently, final 2020 Census data isn’t expected until September 30th, which will impact the districting processes taking place in states across the country, including Michigan. Several states have already granted their redistricting processes more time, including Oregon and California.
“As the grassroots group behind the constitutional amendment that put citizens in charge of redistricting in Michigan, Voters Not Politicians has a uniquely strong interest in ensuring that the expressed will of the People who voted overwhelmingly for Proposal 2 in 2018 is carried out,” said Nancy Wang, executive director of Voters Not Politicians. “The extension requested by the Secretary of State and the Commission will ensure Michigan’s district maps are drawn using final 2020 Census data, while giving adequate time for citizen input, for candidates to decide to run for office, and for clerks to prepare for the 2022 elections — exactly how voters intended it.”
This is one of many legal efforts by Voters Not Politicians to ensure successful implementation of the voter-approved redistricting process. On May 27, Voters Not Politicians prevailed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in a lawsuit brought by special interests to dismantle the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.
The VNP amicus filing can be read here.
The petition by the Secretary of State and the Commission can be found here.
###
Voters Not Politicians is a nonpartisan advocacy organization that works to strengthen democracy by engaging people across Michigan in effective citizen action. Learn more at www.votersnotpoliticians.com.
CONTACT: Hannah Lupi, 517-643-5153
