Editor’s Note (06/10/2024): We want to clarify that we did not produce the Promote the Vote map scorecard that the Michigan Advance article mentions. We very much appreciate Promote the Vote’s analysis which informs our own, but uses slightly different data and metrics. The second paragraph under “The Headlines” has been revised to clear up any ambiguity.
The Headlines
This week, I was featured in a Michigan Advance article that raises the alarm about the MICRC’s proposed senate maps: Analysis: Only 1/4 of Michigan Senate districts redrawn by MICRC are ‘fairer’ than previous map.
Twelve draft mapping plans have been submitted for public comment, and now it’s up to the public to make their voices heard and tell the commission to support a draft map that enables Black voters to elect the candidates of their choice, respects communities of interest, and, critically, gives voters partisan fairness across all districts. We have conducted our own analysis as well as looking closely at our partners’ work, which led to specific recommendations you can find in “The Details” below.
We are also preparing once again to reach voters with the information they need through MichiganDropbox.com.
The Details
Redistricting
- This past Thursday, the commission held its second virtual town hall to review the 12 proposed maps.
- Voters Not Politicians is continuing to urge all residents, especially those who live in the affected districts, to use the online portal to submit their feedback on the draft maps.
- In order to send the commission a clear message of which maps will best represent voters, it is important to narrow the field of maps and remove the ones that are worse in partisan fairness than what we have now.
- We encourage you to use the online portal to submit negative feedback (red pins) on the maps which scored poorly on VRA analysis, including maps from individual commissioners Lange, Wagner, and Curry; and the maps that are worse in partisan fairness than Linden, including Dove, Cardinal, Orton, and Finch. Voters Not Politicians has developed a guide on how to access and use the online portal. Public comment can be made through the portal now through June 21st.
- In-person public comment can also be an effective tool for showing support for the maps which do best on both VRA and partisan fairness. If you live in the impacted state senate districts (1 – 12) and would be willing to testify in support of either the Heron or Szetela maps, please email Jacob Barondess (jbarondess@votersnotpoliticians.com).
- Education Programs Manager Alyson Grigsby participated as a panelist in the MICRC’s Millennial Roundtable alongside MICRC Chair Anthony Eid, and Detroit entrepreneur Ebony Cochran. Moderated by Fox2Detroit reporter and anchor Josh Landon, panelists discussed the importance of millennials and Gen Z getting involved in Michigan’s redistricting process.
- The commission will host three in-person public hearings in Detroit next week. These public hearings are focused on gathering public feedback on the submitted draft maps:
- June 11th at Detroit Cass Tech/2502 Second Ave.: 10 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 3 PM, and 4 PM – 7 PM
- June 12th at Detroit King/3200 E. Lafayette:10 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 3 PM, and 4 PM – 7 PM
- June 13th at Detroit Renaissance/6565 W. Outer Drive: 10 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 3 PM, and 4 PM – 7 PM
MichiganDropbox.com is now MichiganEarlyVote.com*
Voters Ed Fund is excited to announce that we are relaunching and expanding our successful MichiganDropBox.com platform!
During the 2020 and 2022 elections, MichiganDropBox.com became an invaluable tool for voters to locate their correct absentee ballot drop box. During the 2022 general election, MichiganDropBox.com had over 167,000 page views by almost 50,000 unique users.
Now, thanks to the changes from voter-approved Proposal 22-2, Michigan voters have a constitutional right to absentee ballot dropboxes in every municipality, and at least nine days of early voting. However, that also means more voters will need access to accurate and up-to-date information on their dropbox and early voting locations. MichiganEarlyVote.com will give voters that information in a free, easy-to-use online tool!
*Site will launch prior to the August Primary Election.
Keep in Mind
- The ideal partisan fairness score for any district map is not simply an improvement on past heavily gerrymandered maps or a score that is better than one of the other drafts, but rather true fairness across the state maps. This means scores as close to zero as possible, especially when looking at the closest races.
- Now that the public comment period has officially begun, we hope to see the commission seriously consider and incorporate all public feedback to arrive at a final map that complies with the Voting Rights Act, respects Michigan’s diverse communities of interest, and gives voters partisan fairness across all districts.
What’s Next
Voters Not Politicians is mobilizing volunteers to deliver flyers in several neighborhoods across the affected districts this weekend, directing residents to attend the public hearings next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. On Thursday, June 13th, VNP will also host another Public Comment Coaching session to teach residents how to use the online portal to provide feedback on the commission’s proposed maps. Both the comment portal and the training are open to all Michigan residents, especially those who live in affected and potentially affected senate districts.
Voters Not Politicians is committed to making sure that Metro Detroiters make their voices heard on the draft maps, and that the commission’s final maps provide the fairest possible outcomes for all Michiganders.
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