Michigan Groups Cry Foul over Newly Redistricted Maps
January 2, 2022 | Michigan
The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Committee late Tuesday approved new congressional and legislative maps the state will follow for the next 10 years.
The 13-member panel, established by state voters, was formed to curtail gerrymandered districts in the state. The MICRC is made-up of four Republicans, four Democrats and five independents. The committee voted to approve what’s been dubbed the “Chestnut Congressional” map, the “Hickory House” map, and the “Linden Senate” map.”
Whereas the previous congressional map delineated 14 congressional districts, the map approved Tuesday contains 13 districts. According to FiveThirtyEight, the proposed Chestnut map has four Democratic-leaning seats and six Republican-leaning seats, a drop from eight Republican-leaning seats from the previous map. Additionally, Chestnut creates three districts considered to be highly competitive.
Although the new maps were applauded by some members of the current administration of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, other groups from both parties are less pleased and some have indicated legal challenges are imminent.
“The majority-partisan commission just took gerrymandering to new lows,” Cameron Pickford, communications director for the conservative Michigan Freedom Fund, told The Center Square…. (Excerpts from the Michigan Star)
