The Headlines
This week, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) continued to gather public input on the 10 sets of draft maps they submitted earlier this month. They also hosted two in-person public hearings in Detroit. To support Detroit area residents in getting involved during the redraw, Voters Not Politicians hosted a total of 4 public comment coaching sessions, as well as running a digital ad campaign which has reached over 825,000 Metro Detroit residents. By this time next week, we expect to let you know which remedial maps the MICRC will submit to the Court.
And last Saturday marked the beginning of statewide early voting for the first time in Michigan! In partnership with the Promote the Vote 2022 coalition, Voters Not Politicians volunteers were critical in getting the Proposal 22-2 amendment, which established a right to early voting in Michigan, on the ballot and passed into law by over 60 percent of Michigan voters. Now we’re working to make sure that right is respected, by recruiting nonpartisan poll challengers to act as voter advocates at early voting sites across the state.
The Details
Redistricting
- The commission hosted two in-person public hearings in Detroit this week, one at Greater Grace Temple, and one at Second Ebenezer. The commission received over 150 in-person or remote public comments, including from several local VNP volunteers who attended our public comment coaching sessions.
- Many Detroit-area residents expressed support for the Motown Sound map configuration. If Motown Sound is adopted with some additional tweaks, this map is likely to meet the voter-designed and voter-approved constitutional criteria including adhering to the VRA as well as maintaining a degree of partisan fairness. Several nonpartisan voting rights organizations have also expressed support for the Motown Sound maps.
- Next Tuesday, the commission will meet to discuss all of the draft maps and may vote to amend the maps. The commission must submit a final map to the court by March 1st.
- Although the official public comment period ends today, public comment can still be made during the commission’s meetings next week as they discuss, amend, and ultimately adopt a final set of maps.
Presidential Primary Election Update
- By collecting more than 170,000 signatures, Voters Not Politicians volunteers played a critical role in getting Proposal 22-2 on the ballot and passed, and thanks to that initiative, Michigan voters have more opportunities than ever before to make their voices heard in an election.
- Statewide early voting for the February 27th Presidential Primary began on Saturday, February 17th and runs through Sunday, February 25th. Already over 50,000 voters have utilized early voting to cast their ballots, and overall voter turnout is up 60% from this time period in the 2020 Presidential Primary.
- Voters Ed Fund has already recruited dozens of nonpartisan poll challengers to serve as voter advocates at early voting sites and Election Day polling places, and we will continue adding more shifts through the weekend and going into Election Day.
Keep in Mind
- Michigan voters overwhelmingly supported the creation of an independent redistricting commission because they believe that voters should choose their politicians, not the other way around. We are confident that the voter-approved commission will adopt maps that give historically marginalized communities the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice, keep communities of interest together, and preserve partisan fairness, while affecting the minimum number of districts necessary.
- Even with a few bumps in the road, Michigan’s fair, transparent redistricting system is still worlds better than what we used to have, and what most states have: maps drawn in secret, by and for politicians. Defaulting to a special master would be sending our democracy several steps backwards. We cannot allow our maps to be drawn by one person.
- Right now is the best time in our state’s history to be a voter in Michigan. We have an unprecedented amount of support and funding for our elections across our state government, local clerks, grassroots organizations, and the general public, and Michigan’s elections are more accessible than ever before.
- Every election matters, and every vote matters. With the accessibility of early voting, no reason absentee, and other voter-approved election updates this year, we’re on track to see a record number of voters participating in this Presidential Primary.
What’s Next
Tuesday, February 27th is the last day for voters to cast their ballots in the Presidential Primary. Early voting continues through Sunday, February 25, and voters who requested an absentee ballot have until 8pm on Tuesday to return their ballot to their local clerk’s office or a secure dropbox. Voters Not Politicians will continue providing up-to-date, accurate voter information so every Michigander is able to exercise their right to vote in this election.
Voters Not Politicians will also continue to monitor the commission’s work as they finalize the state house maps and begin work on the state senate redraw. We are also committed to protecting Michigan’s investment in independent redistricting by making sure the power to adopt electoral maps stays solely in the hands of the voter-approved redistricting commission.
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