The Michigan elections board is set to certify a redistricting initiative for the statewide ballot in November. The proposed constitutional amendment is backed by opponents of political gerrymandering, including the organization Voters Not Politicians. It would task an independent commission with drawing congressional and legislative districts once a decade--instead of allowing the partisan Legislature to do it.
According to the state elections bureau, Voters Not Politicians has gathered 394,000 valid voter signatures---more than the roughly 315,000 needed.
Voters Not Politicians President Katie Fahey says, support came from both sides of the political aisle.
“We just have seen that people want to be able to do something, they really like that it’s non-partisan too and we really see people from across the aisle, not only volunteering, but being excited to sign,” Fahey said.
The Board of State Canvassers is expected to act Wednesday under an order from the Michigan Court of Appeals.
The matter is not settled, though, because a group opposed to the ballot measure has filed an appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court.
