Republicans in Michigan filed another lawsuit to stop the redistricting commission. The Michigan Republican Party says the state’s new redistricting commission is unconstitutional.
It’s the second suit trying to stop the voter-approved Michigan Citizens Redistricting Commission. The commission will draw new political district lines for the state. The GOP filed the suit Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
Stu Sandler is general council for the Michigan Republican Party.
"Regardless of how this was voted in, who voted it in, its unconstitutional and therefore cannot be implemented," he says.
In an interview with Michigan Radio’s Stateside he said the commission is unconstitutional because people with political ties can’t serve.
"The Republican Party has an interest, that's way they gave four republican commissioners," Sandler said. "What they did not do, was give the republican party, or any members that are affiliated with it, any ability to select or have an influence in the process of selecting their representatives," Sandler says.
In a statement, Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel says “Our position on this matter has not changed. Our office will continue to vigorously defend Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and the legality of the redistricting commission, preserving the will of the people and their right to adopt amendments to Michigan’s Constitution at the polls.”
