The U.S. Supreme Court says the Michigan Legislature does not have to immediately draw new congressional and legislative district lines. That decision was expected after the Supreme Court rejected efforts in other states to redraw boundaries.
Earlier reporting on this story:
- North Carolina gerrymandering trial could serve as blueprint for other states
- Michigan's Republican Party files lawsuit to stop redistricting commission
- Benson says funding from Legislature key to redistricting success
Nancy Wang is with the Voters Not Politicians campaign. She says the decision is just a temporary setback that keeps existing district boundaries in place for next year’s elections.
“It doesn’t do anything to compromise or change in any way the redistricting reform amendment that voters passed in 2018 in Michigan,” she said.
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The Supreme Court decision does not stop an independent commission from going to work on legislative and congressional district lines in time for the 2022 elections. The amendment’s supporters say the commission will draw boundaries that better reflect voters’ preferences.
Wang says the group is still trying to fend off another legal challenge filed by the Michigan Republican Party.
“They’re trying to undo the redistricting reform amendment that voters passed by an overwhelming margin in 2018," she said. "So we are actively fighting against that litigation right now.”
Wang says the commission will do a better job of creating districts that reflect voters’ preferences than continuing to let the Legislature do the job.
