Michigan's Redistricting
Information

 

Michigan's Redistricting News

Michigan's Redistricting News (January 14-June 20)

All information below is from early 2001

Michigan�s Political Lineup

 

1991

2001

Governor

R

R

State Senate

20R, 18D

23R, 15D, 2 vacant

State House

61D, 49R

57R, 52D, 1 vacant

US Senators

2D

2D

US Reps

11D, 7R

9D, 7R

Redistricting Deadline

There are no specific deadlines for either congressional or legislative redistricting.

Who�s in Charge of Redistricting?

The legislature. The governor has veto power over both redistricting plans.

Districting Principles

Principle

Congressional

State Legis.

Compactness

 

+

Contiguity

 

+

Political sub.

 

+

Communities

 

 

District cores

 

 

Incumbents

 

 

VRA � 5

 

 

+ = required              -- = prohibited        a = allowed

Public Access

The committees in charge of redistricting will hold public hearings around the state. The legislature will create an "enhanced common database." This database will contain census data overlaid with past election data and precinct boundary maps. The database is intended to be a common source of information so that redistricting proposals will be based on consistent information. The public can purchase this enhanced database for a fee. While it is not official, the Gongwer News Service has an excellent website with Michigan redistricting news.

Political Landscape

The 1991-1992 congressional redistricting was ultimately done by a federal court, after it rejected plans put forward by the Democrats and by the Republicans as too partisan. The new plan made numerous changes to incumbents' districts, resulting in a significant shake-up for incumbents. Of 16 incumbents, only 11 survived the 1992 elections.

In 2001, Michigan Republicans control the legislature and the governor�s office and are in in a good position to monopolize redistricting in 2001. With the state losing a seat and several Democrats potentially vulnerable, Republican dominance spells trouble for congressional Democrats in the state such as David Bonior (who already has announced for governor), Sander Levin, James Barcia, Bart Stupak and Dale Kildee. Of course, transferring too many Republican voters from GOP-held districts could make those competitive for Democrats, so redistricting will be a challenge for Michigan�s legislature.

Legal Issues

In 1992, a federal district court rejected both the Republican and Democratic congressional districting plans for their failure to take into account neutral districting principles such as compactness and preservation of municipal boundary lines. The court drew its own plan, changing so many incumbent districts that only John Dingell ran in the same numbered district in 1992.

The city of Detroit sued in federal district court on behalf of its citizens who they alleged were undercounted by the U.S. Census Bureau. The plaintiffs requested a statistical adjustment or another actual count of its residents. The trial court and the 6th circuit found for the Census Bureau, citing the plaintiffs� lack of standing and their failure to demonstrate a "genuine issue of material fact." 

At the state level, a Michigan state court approved an appointed special master's legislative district plan against claims of equal population and Voting Rights Act violations. The court explained that the population deviations of 16.4% were justified by the special master's objectives of preserving county and municipal boundaries. The court also found that the plan did not violate the Voting Rights Act by packing too many black voters into some districts. 

The Michigan legislature is currently under a court order to have redistricting completed by November 2001 and to follow specific guidelines for state legislative districts. They include: population deviations within 5%; maintaining county boundaries; and respecting the political boundaries of cities and townships.


Irregularly Shaped District
Districts 14 & 15

� (14th): 29% white; 

  69% black; 1% Asian; 

  1% Hispanic

� (15th): 26% white; 

  70% black; 1% Asian; 

  1% Hispanic

� Both districts encompass Detroit and its surrounding areas

� Strongly Democratic

� The 14th is residential; the 15th has a few wealthy, white areas, but is still one of the poorest districts in the nation

� These districts are not terribly �irregular,� considering that they span the city of Detroit

 

Contact Information

Mike Vatter
Senator John Cherry
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
517/373-9454
517/373-1453 Fax
[email protected]

Alan Mann
House Republican Caucus Services
741 Romney Bldg.,
PO Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
517/373-1354
517/373-8402 Fax [email protected]

 

For more information:

National Committee for an Effective Congress' Redistricting Resource: Michigan
-Overview
-Summary and map of new congressional districts

EMILY's List Congressional Redistricting Report: Michigan
-Overview
-Michigan Redistricting Chronicle

Glossary

Redistricting Provisions 2000

Current maps for U.S. Representatives, State Senators and State Representatives

 



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