A group trying change the way Michigan draws political boundaries rallied Thursday at the Capitol and urged state officials to put the proposal on the November ballot despite a legal challenge. The Michigan Bureau of Elections said Tuesday that Voters Not Politicians turned in an estimated 394,092 signatures, more than the 315,654 required, for a ballot initiative to create an independent redistricting commission that would redo congressional and legislative maps every ten years instead of lawmakers. The Board of State Canvassers was set to consider certification Thursday but on Wednesday cancelled the meeting, citing ongoing litigation. Organizers and volunteers came to the Capitol anyway.
“I drove from Troy because I want to remind the Board of State Canvassers that we got all the signatures — and a lot more — and all they have to do is say that we did and let the voters decide this issue in November,” said Jamie Lyons-Eddy, a former teacher and who helped organize petition circulators.
Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution, a committee opposing the redistricting plan, filed a legal complaint last month with the state Court of Appeals in an attempt to keep the proposal off the ballot. The complaint argues the proposal would amend or abrogate more sections of the Michigan Constitution than indicated on the petition.
Full Article: Voters Not Politicians group fights to make Michigan ballot.