In a huge Win for the Opponents of Partisan Gerrymandering, a Federal Appeals Court has quashed a Well-Funded Legal Challenge from the Right to Michigan's New Independent Redistricting Commission.
The Requirements for sitting on the Panel, designed to limit the Number of even Potentially Partisan Players, were Upheld as Constitutional Wednesday by a Unanimous 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Republicans Maintain the Criteria Violate Free Speech and Equal Protection Rights of would-be Public Servants.
Unless the Supreme Court decides to step in, which for the moment looks Unlikely, the Panel will be created in time to Draw New Congressional and Legislative Seats after the 2020 Census. Michigan will be the Second-Biggest, after California, of the 13 States where at least some Mapmaking will be done by such a Nonpartisan Commission.
Two years ago, 61% of Voters Approved a Ballot Measure to establish a Commission to take over the Line-Drawing: Four Republican Citizens, Four Democrat Citizens, and Five Independents.
"The eligibility criteria do not represent some out-of-place addition to an unrelated state program; they are part and parcel of the definition of this commission, of how it achieves independence from partisan meddling," Judge Karen Nelson Moore wrote in an Opinion, joined by Judge Ronald Lee Gilman. Both were nominated by President Bill Clinton.
Judge Chad Readler, a Nominee of President Trump, Concurred in the Result and wrote: "It is refreshing to see the court embrace as a central principle a state's prerogative in organizing its government, including its election system."
Voters Not Politicians, the Group created to push the Ballot measure, said it will continue to encourage Applications for Seats on the Commission. More than 4,300 have Applied already. The Deadline is June 1st, after which the Panelists are to be Chosen at Random by the Secretary of State's Office.
"Taking partisanship out of drawing electoral maps is critical to advancing the principle of accountability in government," said Paul Smith of the Campaign Legal Center, which Represented that Grassroots Group in the Lawsuit. "Michigan voters want fair maps. They will not be silenced by special interests, who continue to try and exert their will over the redistricting process."
Republican Spokeswoman, Tony Zammit, said the Michigan GOP has Not decided whether to Appeal.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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