Big news! A three judge federal panel just ruled that the GOP in Michigan have been drawing legislative district lines which demonstrated “profound bias” in favor of their party. They also ruled that as a result, despite the fact that the Republican Party has never gained more than 50.5% of the state wide vote, they have controlled both state houses in the last three elections. The trial is scheduled for this February in federal court. This ruling is a huge win for the Michigan Dems and all Michigan citizens who believe in the importance of an even playing field.
When a party engages in gerrymandering they have determined how to draw the lines to keep the majority of districts on their side of the ledger and thus how to retain control of both houses. With the absence of a willingness to compromise, this means the legislative wins will always be on their side. To flip such districts requires incredible work and money for the off party candidates to prevail. And most often, the party in power has tilted the playing field so drastically that flipping rarely occurs..
As a consequence, the Michigan Dem candidates running in lopsided pro GOP districts are considered sacrificial lambs with not a whisper of a chance of winning. With this federal ruling all that will change maybe even in time for the 2020 election. For the League in their suit have indicated that if they win the case, they want the district lines to be redrawn by the time the 2020 election rolls around.
If this plan comes to fruition, it would mean that all the districts in both the state house and the state senate would be “in play”. Either party would be given a 50-50 chance of winning which would automatically inject a vibrant and exciting atmosphere into all the districts. None would be considered a “lost cause” at the start of a race and each party would be on the lookout for their very best candidates to run in each and every district. It would elicit a whole new slate of more qualified candidates for both sides who will happily step forward to run now that the playing field has been evened out in their respective districts..
Kudos to the Michigan League of Women Voters for bringing this suit forward and suing the state. As plaintiffs, they present a neutral position with no partisan ulterior motive or skin in the game. Their goal is to force the state of Michigan to to provide the most fair and democratic election environment for every Michigan citizen.
And if you still have not weighed in on the shameful flurry of bills that the Michigan GOP is throwing together in the past week which subverts the will of the people in the last election -PLEASE do so today. They need to be stopped in their tracks. Gov. Snyder may be stepping down from his post but he still will be called to testify in front of the Federal Oversight Committee regarding his role in the Flint water fiasco. Remind Gov. Snyder in your message, that if he SIGNS any of these Lame Duck egregious bills, Elijah Cummings, Chair of the Oversight Committee will know about it well before he comes to testify. Cummings will consider Snyder’s support for these anti-democratic measures as another example of his putting party over the people.
Finally, if you are searching for good political causes for your end of year giving – please consider the Michigan League (you can see in this post all the important work they do) or Bridge Magazine. Bridge Magazine earns top honors as the best news source in the state year after year and limps along on donations. Here is Bridge Magazine’s take of the federal ruling below as well as Leelanau’s state lawmakers and Snyder’s contact information.
https://www.bridgemi.com/public-sector/michigan-gerrymandering-trial-february-court-cites-profound-bias
Gov, Snyder – 517-373-3400[email protected].
Sen. Booher -517-373-1725[email protected]
Rep. Vanderwall -517 -373-0825[email protected]