An estimated 9,367 Michiganders have applied to be members of their state’s upcoming Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. As part of the application process, these citizens were required to submit a statement of interest, to explain the reasoning that led them to apply. The statements of all 200 semifinalists have been made public by the Secretary of State’s office. Below are six examples, drawn from unaffiliated voters and members of the two major parties:

“I believe strongly in our democracy, a democracy that truly represents the people. The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is our opportunity to get back to the constitutional ideals of democratic representation of the citizens of Michigan.”

“As I am retired and a veteran it appears to be a good way to serve my country once more.”

“I feel elections should favor no particular party by gerrymandering. The will of the majority is denied by a minority by using geography. Let the chips fall where they may.”

“I feel this commission would be a way for me to serve my community and state.”

“To ensure that people's voting rights are equitable.”

“I am not overly political, but I do take voting seriously and I care about the process of electing officials.”

Friends of reform should pay close attention to what is happening in the Wolverine State. As the organizing process for the Michigan Commission gets underway, the Princeton Gerrymandering Project and the Representable team have entered into a partnership with the Michigan reform group Voters Not Politicians (VNP) to facilitate the drawing of communities of interest in the state. Representable is a free, web-based digital data collection tool for communities of interest. It can be used by anyone interested in fair districting.

In 2018, VNP organized a successful advocacy campaign to pass a state constitutional amendment that created the Michigan independent redistricting commission. Since the passage of the amendment, the Project has been providing the Michigan Secretary of State's office with technical support whenever requested. Now, in 2020, the Project and Representable are helping VNP map the state’s communities. The Representable tool will help protect communities of interest during the 2021 redistricting process, which is a criterion now required by the Michigan Constitution. 

Under the laws of twenty-six states, redistricting authorities must respect and take into account “communities of interest” (or COIs), which are defined slightly differently in each of these states. According to the Brennan Center, some of these provisions are “found in the state constitution, some in state statute, and others simply adopted as guidelines by the bodies conducting redistricting.”

Generally speaking, COIs are defined as groups of people who share similar interests, and whose interests may be affected in similar ways by legislation. These shared interests often include racial, ethnic, religious, social, cultural, or economic concerns. For example, the Michigan Constitution states that “Communities of interest may include, but shall not be limited to, populations that share cultural or historical characteristics or economic interests."

A number of reform organizations feel that protecting COIs can act as an additional safeguard against gerrymandering. If COI data is recorded and supported by testimony, then it will likely become more difficult for would-be gerrymanderers to "pack" or "crack" marginalized communities. In other words, providing COI maps and testimony can help these communities avoid being deliberately carved up during the redistricting process.  

After the pandemic began, it became clear to friends of reform that the fight for fair redistricting was going to move into the virtual space. Indeed, within this new space, online tools like Representable are a useful way for reformers to build and maintain the momentum of change, even as state legislatures have adjourned and committee hearings have been cancelled. Feedback from Michigan’s Representable users has been positive: