Michigan Redistricting Collaborative

1. Michigan Redistricting Collaborative Supporting the radical notion that Electoral Districts should be drawn to meet the needs of the public – not politicians

2. Goals of today’s presentation • Describe the Michigan Redistricting Collaborative • Who • Why • What • Inform you on how redistricting works • State and local level • Talk about why the current system needs to be changed • Fairness • Transparency • Offer some ideas to improve the process • More public input

3. Who, why, what of the collaborative • Coalition of non-profits • Business • Labor • Public interest • Support more transparent and open redistricting process • More involvement from the public • Less control from partisan politicians • Informing the public • Meetings • Web site and handouts • Media

4. Why Michigan Redistricting Collaborative? • Nonprofits are trusted assets in communities. • Nonprofit organizations can help ensure representation of without access to • Lobbyists • PACs • Other tools that influence redistricting decisions.

5. How redistricting works • When? • Each decade, after the Census figures are available. • What? • Congressional • State • County commission • Municipal • Timing? • Data from Census available April 1 • State redistricting must be done by Nov. 11, 2011

6. Redistricting 101 – by the law • The primary rule that must be followed is that districts need to have similar population • One (wo)man, one vote principle. • Voting Rights Act • That’s why we redistrict after each Census • Recognize population changes in a district.

7. Redistricting 101 – by the law • Michigan Constitution says: • Compact • Contiguous • Avoid breaking up political subdivisions (such as municipalities)

8. Redistricting 101 – by the law • Current state law (PA 221 of 1996)says: • Congressional district populations must be equal • State legislative districts must not fall outside of the 95% to 105% range of the average district size • Preservation of municipal and county identity is encouraged • District lines should be drawn on municipal or county boundaries

9. Redistricting 101 – by the law • County redistricting follows same guidelines • Done by committee of • County Clerk • County Treasurer • County Prosecutor • County GOP Chair • County Dem Chair • Can set the number of commissioners • Between 5 and 35

10. Why should we change? • Today districts are drawn by elected officials • They have vested interest in the outcome • Partisan • Personal • Politicians’ interests are often different than interests of public

11. House District 20: Compact?

12. Why should we change? • Districts usually advantage drawn to advantage political party in control • This isn’t a Republican or Democratic matter – both parties do it equally when they have the opportunity.

13. Why should we change?

14. Why should we change?

15. Why should we change?

16. Why should we change • Center for Michigan study of 2000-2010 legislation elections • Only about one in seven Michigan residents live in what could be deemed a consistently competitive swing district. • In the Michigan House, only 25 of 110 districts changed party control over the past decade • In the Michigan Senate, only six of 38.

17. Why should we change • Districts often drawn with a goal of helping elect one particular politician – or hurting another • Process influenced by lobbyists and PACs and other parties with vested interests. • This is not good for democracy. Voters should to be in charge – not politicians and special interests.

18. Michigan Redistricting Collaborative goals • Redistricting should • Result in representative districts • Be done with public input • Epitomize transparency

19. Michigan Redistricting Collaborative goals • Other states already are taking the lead in this matter, and giving the people a bigger say in redistricting. • California has a citizens’ commission: five Democrats, five Republicans, four other members to draw legislative districts California legislature. • Florida voters approved ballot measure to prohibit drawing districts to favor or disfavor an incumbent or political party. • Minneapolis approved referendum stopping political parties from appointing partisans the redistricting commission – now a judge will do that using an application process. • Iowa has Legislative Service Bureau (nonpartisan) draw three districts, approved by Legislature, with three public hearings.

20. Michigan Redistricting Collaborative goals • State level, support reform legislation • Web site with data, tools to let public view and comment on maps draw • Four public hearings – 3 outside Lansing • Broadcast live on web site • Written transcripts/testimony/comments posted • Proposed map posted on web site 30 days prior to adoption • Info to include: Voting age population • Racial makeup • Statement why district drawn and how it serves public interest • After adoption, Legislature must post written justification • All subject to Freedom of Information and Open Meetings acts

21. Michigan Redistricting Collaborative goals • On local level • Ask counties to establish independent commissioners • Commission recommend plan for adoption by redistricting commissions (treasurer/prosecutor/clerk/county party chairs) • Commission to include • At least 5 members • Not elected officials or related to them • Both parties must be represented • General public must be represented • Subject to FOI/Open Meetings acts

22. Next steps • Learn more! • Visit www.drawthelinemichigan.org • Contact your lawmaker and county commissioner • Ask for transparency • Ask for open meetings • Ask for reasons why districts are being drawn • Stay involved • This is an issue that will be discussed for several years to come. Nobody knows who will be in charge in 2020 – so now is the time for reforms!