 President's Message
Happy New Year,
This year certainly has the potential for us to see strides made in the protection of voting rights, as we await the results of court cases on both the state and federal levels, as well as the certification of redistricting ballot petitions filed by Voters Not Politicians here in Michigan.
Thank you to Brenda and Al Quick for hosting our Holiday Open House, for which there was a great turnout despite inclement weather. This is a social event and fundraiser, and we greatly appreciate the generous contributions made to our Education Fund which will support our Voter Service activities for the 2018 elections.
We were all filled with pride when we learned that on December 22nd, the League of Women Voters of Michigan and 11 individuals filed a lawsuit against the state of Michigan in federal court in Detroit to end unfair, partisan gerrymandering of Michigan’s Congressional, state Senate and House districts. In the LWVMI Press Release, President Judy Karandjeff said, “Michigan’s State House, Senate and Congressional districts are among the worst in the nation when it comes to partisan gerrymandering, and today’s lawsuit aims to fix the problem and restore voters’ right to choose who best represents them.”
The State League has had a position on redistricting since 2012 supporting the formation of an independent redistricting commission, which fosters transparency and citizen participation in the process, in lieu of the Legislature as the primary redistricting body. The lawsuit requests that the federal court declare the current districts to be unconstitutional, partisan and discriminatory and to ensure that the districts are redrawn in a fair fashion. The Press Release indicates the problems with partisan gerrymandering in Michigan include:
- Michigan’s current electoral maps were drawn in a secretive partisan process with little discussion or debate before being quickly passed through the Legislature.
- Despite Democrats regularly wining a majority of the vote in State House, State Senate and Congressional elections, they hold a minority – sometimes a super-minority – of the seats, a direct result of partisan gerrymandering.
On December 27th, U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood signed an order allowing a three judge panel to hear the case. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge R. Guy Cole, Jr. and two other judges will preside over the case. This quick action has created the hope that the case will be heard expeditiously. A link to the Complaint filed in the lawsuit can be found on the front page of the LWVMI website: lwvmi.org
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Upcoming Events
Women's March TC 2018
Saturday, January 20th, 1-3pm
The march begins Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce building. Marchers will head down Front Street.
Women's March Michigan 2018:
Power to the Polls
Sunday, January 21st, 2pm
Michigan State Capitol, 100 N. Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI 48933
The rally will begin promptly at 2PM with performers and speakers. It will last a little over two hours. Details here.
STUDY SESSION: LWVMI's Agricultural/Seasonal Workers Position
Wednesday, February 14, 11:30am
Janis Room, TADL Woodmere Branch
610 Woodmere Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686
General meeting open to all League members. Study session materials here.
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Oleson's Grocery Receipts: "We want 'em!"
The LWVGTA is still collecting receipts from Oleson's Grocery Store for fundraising through Oleson's Community Share Program. (We have raised $1,231.91 for our League to date!) Please continue to send receipts to League President Jan Warren at 12055 S Woodwinds Circle, #15 Traverse City, MI 49684.
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