Redistribution maps continue to face criticism due to lack of minority and ethnic representations

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MICHIGAN – The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) is expected to vote on final political district maps starting December 28.

The upcoming finalization of the state’s political boundaries comes after months of debate and deliberation over the layout of state and federal districts, with the aim of giving stronger representation to affected communities with collective and political affiliations.

These lines were previously drawn every 10 years by elected officials of any political party in power to ensure electoral strongholds. This was the case until 2018, when voters decided that redistribution should be a citizen effort and that maps should be drawn to reflect our diverse communities.

Many community activists have pointed to the power of increased representation of minorities and the ethnic working class in congressional districts, to secure federal funding for infrastructure, education and more.

But the process has also seen challenges and criticism throughout.

A good example was in October, when Amer Zahr, a well-known Arab-American political commentator, pointed out how the proposed House neighborhoods for the Dearborn and Dearborn Heights area divided Arab enclaves and combined them with non-residential neighborhoods. Arabs in these cities, and in Detroit. and other communities in Wayne County.

The effect of such a split would be the dilution of the “Arab voice” in state legislative processes. Although these proposed maps have changed since October, the current drafts of these maps reviewed by the Commission, found at Michigan.gov/micrc/, continue to show a similar division.

Right to vote

Another analysis, from state civil rights experts, says the new cards do not meet federal legal requirements to protect minority votes and enforce voting rights law.

“The cards under consideration do not live up to the requirements of the law and do not meet the test of fairness and equity which should be the objective of this commission,” said Dr Jerome Reide, officer of legislative liaison for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. .

Reide’s analysis was filed with the MICRC on December 9, ahead of the end of the public comment period and the Commission’s final vote on the cards on December 30.

“The Commission still has time to produce cards that will not dilute the minority vote or violate voting rights law,” Reide said.

Analysis indicates that none of the five congressional district maps proposed on November 5 include a majority black district. Currently, Michigan has two Congressional Minority Districts: the 13th (US Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit) and the 14th (US Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield).

The Commission still has time to produce cards that will not dilute the minority vote or violate the law on voting rights. – Dr Jérôme Reide

He says the Voting Rights Act requires the Commission to design minority-majority constituencies to prevent dilution of votes in Saginaw, Southfield, Flint, Pontiac, Taylor, Inkster, Redford, Hamtramck and Detroit.

Each of these communities of interest could be denied the opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice if the current percentages of majority-minority constituencies are diluted.

The Voting Rights Act is designed to allow coalitions of Black, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, and other minority residents, as well as those who identify with two or more racial groups, to come together and elect the candidates of their choice.

Reide said the latest MICRC cards remove that opportunity and will bar many Michigan minority voters from any reasonable chance of electing their preferred candidates.

Responding to the analysis, a commission spokesperson told Local 4 News: “We trust the advice received from our voting rights lawyer. “

The Commission, which continues to seek public comment on its website, is also bracing for a number of lawsuits by both Democrats and Republicans following the finalization of the state’s political maps.

He will hold three public meetings on his final voting days starting December 28 in Lansing. Follow the Commission on Facebook at Facebook.com/RedistrictingMI.

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