Every 10 years after the census is completed, new political lines are drawn for federal, state, county and some local districts. Based on 2020 Census data, 2024 is the first year the new maps will be used in Michigan, drawn by the new constitutionally mandated Michigan Independent Redistricting Commission (MICRC).
On December 28, 2021, the MICRC approved district maps for U.S. Congress, Michigan House and Michigan Senate. The maps were drawn by the Commission under the guidance of the seven ranked criteria listed in the Michigan Constitution. Some of the maps have been challenged in court. On Dec. 21, 2023 a federal panel of 3 judges ruled that 13 metro Detroit House and Senate seats must be redrawn. The federal panel required the MICRC to post a new state House draft map by Feb. 2, 2024 giving the Commission two more months to finalize the boundaries.
A timeline to redraw six Senate districts will be set so the new districts will be in place for the November 2024 elections.
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HISTORY OF THE MICRC
The 2018 constitutional amendment approved by voters, established a commission of 13 registered voters randomly selected through an application process. Of the 13 commissioners, four affiliate with the Democratic Party, four affiliate with the Republican Party, and five do not affiliate with either major political party.
SEVEN RANKED PRIORITIES USED FOR DRAWING MAPS
The Amendment to the Michigan Constitution required the MICRC meet the following criteria for the new districts:
- Are of equal population and comply with the Voting Rights Act
- Are geographically contiguous (all in one piece, not broken apart)
- Reflect the state’s diverse population and communities of interest
- Do not provide a disproportionate advantage to any political party
- Do not favor or disfavor an incumbent elected official or candidate
- Reflect consideration of county, city and township boundaries
- Are reasonably compact
MAP DRAWING PROCESS AND CITIZEN REVIEW
The 13-member MICRC committee spent hundreds of hours in meetings, all open and accessible to the public to attend in person as well as via livestream and were also available on YouTube. Experts were retained to assist with the mapping process. The public had the opportunity to provide input in a variety of forms, including at a first round of public testimony and through the public comment portal on the MICRC website.
As the redistricting process neared completion, the MICRC posted drafts of maps for 110 Michigan House, 38 Michigan Senate and 13 Michigan Congressional districts seeking review and comment from the public. Updated maps were posted on the website as they became available and the public could comment via the public comment portal on the ICRC website. There was a form for submitting written comments on redistricting and community of interest plans. This “Submission Gallery” collected over 5,000 comments and map submissions which were available for anyone to read.