WE ENDED GERRYMANDERING IN MICHIGAN
Quick read: On November 6, 2018, 61% of Michigan voters from across the state passed Proposal 2, which ended gerrymandering by creating an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. The amendment created a fair, impartial, and transparent process where voters - not politicians - will draw Michigan's state Senate, state House, and Congressional election district maps.
Voters Not Politicians is working with our c(3) organization The Count MI Vote Education Fund to lead education and outreach efforts around the state to ensure that our new map-drawing process is actually of, by and for the people.
Our current focus is engaging communities of interest in the next redistricting process.
Helpful links:
- Click here to read the full amendment language.
- Click here to view the timeline and important dates for the next redistricting cycle.
- Click here to read frequently asked questions.
- Click here for resources for communities of interest.
The Story of Proposal 2
On November 6, 2018, 61% of Michigan voters from across the state and across the political spectrum passed Proposal 2, a constitutional amendment to put the power to draw our election district maps in the hands of the voters — not politicians.
Proposal 2 was put on the ballot through a citizen-led ballot initiative. Voters Not Politicians volunteers collected more than 425,000 petition signatures from registered voters in every Michigan county with an all-volunteer effort.
Voters Not Politicians survived legal challenges that went all the way up to the Michigan Supreme Court to keep Proposal 2 on the ballot. Volunteers spread the word to vote "Yes on 2" across the state, knocking more than 460,000 doors, talking to voters at fairs and festivals, and more.
We had a number of endorsements, including former Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
On Election Day, 67 of Michigan's 83 counties voted "Yes on 2," with more than 2.5 million voters supporting a fair, impartial, and transparent redistricting process.
Redistricting in Michigan
Before the redistricting reform amendment passed, the redistricting process in Michigan was rigged in favor of special interests.
Why? Because politicians and lobbyists met behind closed doors to draw Michigan’s election district maps to benefit themselves, not the voters. It’s called gerrymandering, and Michigan is currently home to some of the most gerrymandered districts.
Politicians met behind closed doors with lobbyists and highly paid consultants and used big data and advanced computer algorithms to pick the groups of voters most likely to help their party. This allowed politicians to manipulate elections to give them and their party an unfair advantage for the next decade of elections.
About the Redistricting Reform Amendment
Michigan voters exercised their right of direct democracy and put a constitutional amendment on the 2018 general election ballot, known as Proposal 2. Proposal 2 put the power to draw election district maps in the hands of voters and created a fair, impartial, and transparent process.
The amendment clearly defines who can participate in future redistricting processes, how the maps are drawn, and when the maps are drawn.
What the Redistricting Reform Amendment means for you
Now, Michigan citizens have the power to draw the lines! As a Michigan citizen, you have a chance to become a part of history and create fair, impartial, and transparent election district lines that represent the voters of Michigan.
You can participate in the process by attending a public redistricting hearing starting in 2021. More information on public hearings will be added soon! To receive updates, subscribe to the Voters Not Politicians newsletter here.
Learn more about the important role of Communities of Interest here and how you can get involved in the new fair, impartial, and transparent redistricting process.