Michigan is poised to revise its legislative maps following a lawsuit against the state. Filed on behalf of black voters in the Detroit area, the lawsuit argues that the current delineation of Detroit legislative areas violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
A trial took place in November 2023, resulting in a three-judge panel deeming certain districts unconstitutional. On January 4, an appeal was made, and the US Supreme Court, on Monday, declined to issue a stay on the panel’s ruling.
Consequently, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is tasked with redrawing the legislative maps. The lawsuit contends that the intentional drawing of borders aimed to disenfranchise the black voting block by reducing the percentage of black voters in each district. The Commission is accused of prioritizing race as the primary factor in drawing the maps.
In August 2023, the case was initiated by 20 voters in the state, following a similar case dismissed in February 2022 due to lack of evidence.
Responding to the lawsuit, the Michigan Secretary of State expressed concern, stating, “The district court’s injunction ordering the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to redraw state house districts in time for Michigan’s August 6, 2024, primary election threatens an orderly administration of that election.”
During the 2022 case, the court’s order noted that the plaintiffs failed to identify “grounds or legal authority that would allow” the court to question the Commission’s decision at the time.
