The following statement can be attributed to Nancy Wang, Executive Director of Voters Not Politicians, on the redistricting reform amendment process allowing state legislative leaders to each strike up to five semi-finalists from the pool of applicants for Michigan’s first Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission:
We’re proud to see the process to implement Michigan’s first Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission reach another milestone today. Volunteers from all walks of life came together to write this amendment and millions voted to place it in our state constitution to ensure that voters choose their politicians, not the other way around.
The legislative strikes provide an opportunity for the legislative leaders of both major parties to remove a limited number of applications from the pool for any reason, including if they feel certain applicants may not live up to the role and responsibilities of this historic process. We look forward to the random selection of Michigan’s first 13 citizens commissioners and a fair, impartial, and fully transparent, voter-driven redistricting process moving forward.
Click here to learn more about next steps in the application process, and click here for a full timeline outlined in the amendment.
Contact: Elizabeth Battiste; 248-404-7846
ebattiste@martinwaymire.com
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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.
