The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 24, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We reported January 16th on a federal court finding that maps drawn by Michigan’s Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission diluted Black voting power and must be redrawn. An appeal to keep the existing maps was declined Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Michigan voters created the independent commission in 2018 through a constitutional referendum to put an end to gerrymandering. Detroit civil rights groups objected to the commission’s proposed maps during 2021 hearings, but the MICRC’s consultants concluded the districts met federal Voting Rights Act guidelines.
A federal court panel disagreed, finding that the commission diluted Black majority districts. The court ordered 13 greater Detroit house districts be redrawn by February 2nd, and six Senate maps by April. On January 11th, the MICRC asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the order, but SCOTUS declined on Jan. 22nd.
But, there’s a partisan twist to the story. Nineteen Black voters representing 13 districts were plaintiffs in the case. The Michigan Advance reports they were represented by a Republican former solicitor general for the state of Michigan. And it was mostly White, conservative suburbs which were redistricted with largely Black, more liberal Detroit neighborhoods. Michigan’s House is composed of 56 Democrats and 54 Republicans, and all are up for reelection in November 2024.
A special master will review the maps for compliance with the Voting Rights Act.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Democracy Docket – Michigan Legislative Redistricting Challenge (Agee)
Michigan Advance – Bombshell ruling requires 13 Michigan districts to be redrawn before 2024 election
American Democracy Minute – Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission’s Maps for Greater Detroit Under Scrutiny for Voting Rights Act Violations. What Happened?
U.S. Supreme Court – Emergency Appeal by Michigan Citizen Redistricting Commission for Stay
Michigan Advance – U.S. Supreme Court rejects request to halt Michigan House map redraw
Democracy Docket – U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Halt Redraw of Michigan’s Legislative Maps
Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission – Website & Draft Maps
Groups Taking Action:
Voters Not Politicians, League of Women Voters MI, NAACP Michigan State Conference, Detroit Action, Promote the Vote MI\
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#Democracy #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #VotingRightsAct #MichiganPolitics