Volunteer to Help the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission

April 29, 2021

MLA is working in partnership with the communications team from the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) to engage libraries in the redistricting plan for the State of Michigan. Libraries have been identified as a key partner and as such, MLA wants to make sure that our library community is integral in getting Michigan citizens involved in the redistricting process.

In 2018, Michigan voters passed Proposal 2, a ballot initiative for voters, and not legislators, to take responsibility for nonpartisan redistricting, which created the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC). The commission is comprised of 13 randomly selected Michigan residents that include four Democrats, five Independents, and four Republicans. The MICRC is responsible for redistricting the U.S. Congressional, Michigan House, and Michigan Senate districts.

As the process is unfolding, and before commissioners draft any redistricting plan, the MICRC will be holding at least 10 public hearings throughout the state of Michigan. The purpose of the public meetings is to: 1) inform the public about the redistricting process, 2) share the purpose and responsibilities of the commission, and 3) solicit information from the public about potential redistricting plans.

The commission is looking to use the following criteria in determining new district lines and public input is critical:

1. Equal population and Voting Rights Act
2. Geographically contiguous
3. Communities of interest
4. No disproportionate advantage to any political party
5. No favor or disfavor to an incumbent elected official or a candidate
6. Reflect consideration of county, city, and township boundaries
7. Reasonably compact

Public Hearings Dates/Times

If you are interested in volunteering your time as a greeter at any of these locations, please reach out to Debbie Mikula, [email protected] and she will give you more information and pass your contact information along to the event organizers. All volunteers are required to be in place 1.5 hours prior to the start time listed below.

• Tuesday, May 11, 2021, 6:00 pm - Jackson, MI - American 1 Event Center
• Thursday, May 13, 2021, 5:00 pm -Kalamazoo, MI - Wings Event Center
• Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 6:00 pm - Marquette, MI - The Northern Center at Northern Michigan University
• Thursday, May 20, 2021, 5:00 pm - Gaylord, MI - Treetop Resorts
• Tuesday, May 25, 2021, 6:00 pm - Midland, MI - Great Hall Banquet and Convention Center
• Thursday, May 27, 2021, 5:00 pm - Lansing, MI - Lansing Center
• Tuesday, June 1, 2021, 6:00 pm - Flint, MI - Dort Financial Center
• Thursday, June 3, 2021, 5:00 pm - Dearborn, MI - Ford Community and Performing Arts Center
• Tuesday, June 8, 2021, 6:00 pm - Novi, MI - Suburban Collection Showplace
• Thursday, June 10, 2021, 5:00 pm - Pontiac, MI - Centerpoint Marriott
• Tuesday, June 15, 2021, 6:00 pm - Detroit, MI - The Village Dome at Fellowship Chapel
• Thursday, June 17, 2021, 5:00 pm - Detroit, MI - TCF Center
• Tuesday, June 22, 2021, 6:00 pm - Port Huron, MI - Blue Water Convention Center
• Thursday, June 24, 2021, 5:00 pm - Warren, MI - MRCC Banquet Center
• Tuesday, June 29, 2021, 6:00 pm - Muskegon, MI - VanDyke Mortgage Convention Center
• Thursday, July 1, 2021, 5:00 pm - Grand Rapids, MI - DeVos Place

Michigan citizens are encouraged to send questions, ideas to increase awareness and engagement and/or provide public comments about Michigan’s redistricting process to [email protected] or mail them to MICRC, P.O. Box 30318, Lansing, MI 48909.

To learn more about Michigan’s new redistricting process or obtain more information about the upcoming public hearings please visit www.michigan.gov/MICRC.