A Three-Judge Panel has cleared the way for a Trial that could upset Districts in the Michigan Legislature and the State's Congressional Delegation.
The Panel says Democrats so far have Presented sufficient Evidence that Districts were shaped by Republican Operatives to Guarantee the GOP's Dominance after the 2010 Census, especially in the Legislature.
The Lawsuit alleges that Constitutional Rights were Violated when Democratic Areas were Packed in Certain Districts or Spread among Many Districts to Dilute their Influence.
In a 43-page Decision Friday, the Panel of Federal Judges says Emails Exchanged by Map Makers "illustrate the profound extent to which partisan political considerations" were at play.
The Maps were Approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Rick Snyder.
The Maps are in effect through the 2020 Election.
Voters on Nov. 6th Approved a Plan to take Redistricting away from Lawmakers.
Proposal 2 transferred the Power to Draw the State's Congressional and Legislative Districts from the State Legislature to a 13-Member Independent Redistricting Commission.
The Ballot Initiative required Four of the Commissioners to be Democrats, Four to be Republicans, and Five to be Independents or Members of Third Parties.
The Affirmative Votes of at least Seven Members, including a Minimum of Two Democrats, Two Republicans, and Two Members not Affiliated with the Major Parties, were to be needed to Pass a Redistricting Plan.
Proposal 2 required Commissioners to Prioritize specific Criteria, including Compliance with Federal Laws; Equal Population Sizes; Geographic Contiguousness; Demographics, and Communities of similar Historical, Cultural, or Economic Interests; No Advantages to Political Parties; No Advantages to Incumbents; Municipal Boundaries; and Compactness.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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