Can Your Spend 30 Minutes to End Partisan Gerrymandering?
By MUUSJN on Tuesday, December 14th, 2021
LAST CHANCE to HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD!!!
The Michigan Independent Redistricting Commission (MICRC) is winding down. There is only a small window left to help end partisan gerrymandering. The good news is that the MICRC has been very receptive to public comment and they have worked hard to improve the maps and make them more fair. The bad news is that most of the maps presented have not yet achieved partisan fairness. (More details on this below.)
Analysis and suggestions are based on research and recommendations from NextVote and Promote the Vote. Analysis also draws on reporting done by Bridge Magazine and the Detroit Free Press as well as many conversations with coalitions including Michigan Voices and the VAAC (Voting Access for All Coalition.)
The MICRC is planning to vote on the maps on Dec. 30th. If they make any changes to the maps, or introduce any new maps, then they have to open another 45 day period of public comment and this would force them to miss the Dec. 30th deadline. The MICRC is very hesitant to do this.
We have a two-pronged strategy:
1. Advocate for our favorite map that has been proposed.
2. Tell the MICRC that while we hate to delay the process, the worst outcome will be unfair maps.
We are not striving for maps that are less unfair.
We are demanding maps that are fair.
There are three ways to communicate with the MICRC:
(Please do as many of these as you can!)
- Testifying in person (12/16/21 in Detroit, 10am-2pm)
- Testifying via zoom (12/21/21, 10am-2pm)
- Making written comments on the MICRC portal (portal is open 24/7 and will be open until 12/29)
- Send an email to the commission at: redistricting@michigan.gov
The remainder of this email gives clear instructions on how to make written comments and offers suggestions of what to say on each map.
Reminder: the last public hearing will be on December 16th in Detroit. We hope you will testify! More details about testifying (in person or via zoom) are at the very end of the letter.
If you did not receive the previous email I sent about how to testify in person or via zoom, then let me know and I will resend.
Written comments are made through the MICRC portal. Each map has its own page (linked in this document.) You can make comments and put “pins” or “dots” on specific locations on each map. These dots are color coded as follows:
Red = Oppose
Yellow= Sorta like but needs some help
Green= Approve
This method of commenting can be tedious, but its extremely important.
It is our hope that the most egregious maps will become seas of red dots and the most promising will be flooded with green and yellow dots and filled with constructive comments.
Step by step instructions to add dots:
- Click on the link below for the map you want to comment on. This will take you to the map.
- In the upper right hand corner, click the blue button that says “Add Comment”
- The button will now say “Click on Map”
- If you are making a general comment, you can click anywhere on the map
- If you are making a comment about a specific location, you can zoom in to find it, or put the location in the “search address” box on the top left corner. (You can put in a specific address or a city or county name)
- When you click on the map, it will bring up a window that gives you the opportunity to push red (dislike), yellow (opinion) or green (approve) . Click on the appropriate button.
- Fill in the personal information
- Scroll down to “additional comments” and write your comment
- Click blue button that says “Add Comment”
- After your first comment, you will have to go to your email and “verify your comment.” This only has to be done after the first map. After you verify your comment, you should see it appear on the upper right corner. (If you don’t get the email, then check your spam.)
- Go back to this document and click the link for the next map you wish to comment on.
Below are links to each proposed map, (the maps with tree names were developed collaboratively. The maps with last names were introduced by individual commissioners.) There are also sample comments for each map. You can put as many dots and comments on each map as you would like. We know this is a lengthy process. If possible, make at least one-two comments on each map. There are 15 maps and we hope you will comment on all of them, If you don’t have time to do that much, please prioritize the House maps and the maps indicated as being the most fair.
Feel free to contact Nomi if you want someone to walk you through it at: nomijoyrich@gmail.com 248-497-1226
Make your comments as soon as possible. Be sure to comment by December 29th.
Please note that most of these are general comments and can be made anywhere on the map. Changes in any county will impact the entire state, so you can comment anywhere on the map regardless of where you live.
MICHIGAN HOUSE
Sadly, NONE of the House maps are fair. Every one of them would likely result in the majority of seats going to the party that receives the minority of votes.
We have two messages: 1. Even though it will delay the process, we don’t want to settle for unfair maps. Maps that are less unfair, are still unfair. Please go back and fix these maps. 2. Of the proposed House maps, Hickory is the best of the worst. If you have to settle for one of these maps, please adopt Hickory.
Hickory: YELLOW AND GREEN DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/262/23
Thanks for unpacking Democrats in the Lansing area and/or the Ann Arbor area. All the maps have Republican bias, but this one is the best of the bad.
Maps that are less unfair, are still unfair. We want maps that are actually fair.
- It’s unfair but the best of the worst
- Seat count of 53D to 57R gives the majority of seats to the minority of voters
- 19 VRA districts with 6 over 50%
- This is the best of the worst for Communities of Interest.
Szetela: YELLOW AND RED DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/276/23
- Please Keep Working! There are no fair house maps to choose from!
- Each proposed House map gives the majority of seats to the minority of voters!
- No MI House map addresses the concerns heard from Detroit voters about being able to elect their own candidates
- Maps that are less unfair, are still unfair. We want maps that are actually fair.
Magnolia: RED DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/263/23
Most unfair
- Please Keep Working! There are no fair house maps to choose from!
- Each proposed House map gives the majority of seats to the minority of voters!
- No MI House map addresses the concerns heard from Detroit voters about being able to elect their own candidates
Pine: RED DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/259/23
Most unfair.
- Please Keep Working! There are no fair house maps to choose from!
- Each proposed House map gives the majority of seats to the minority of voters!
No MI House map addresses the concerns heard from Detroit voters about being able to elect their own candidates.
MICHIGAN SENATE
Once again, various groups are using different methods of analysis. Some say that Cherry and Linden achieve partisan fairness.
Others conclude that all of the Senate maps have partisan bias.
We have three messages: 1. Of the proposed maps, Cherry and Linden are the most fair. 2. Palm and Lange are unfair. 3. Maps that are less unfair are still unfair. We deserve fair maps. Despite the delay it will cause, please go back and improve the Cherry and Linden maps.
Cherry V2: GREEN DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/251/23
This is one of the most fair maps. It still favors one party, but comes closer to partisan fairness. (some people think Linden is the best. Some people think Cherry is the best. Its probably a tossup, but I think Cherry is slightly better with partisan fairness.)
Maps that are less unfair, are still unfair. We want maps that are actually fair.
- 6 Voting Rights Act districts
- Does well with Communities of Interest
Linden: GREEN DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/260/23
Thank you for drawing maps that unpack Democrats in Washtenaw County and Ingham County. I wish you would reduced the partisan bias further, but this map is the best.
(some groups think Linden is the best and other think Cherry is the best.) Maps that are less unfair, are still unfair. We want maps that are actually fair.
- 2 competitive districts make this map a possible tie with a small Dem lean
- 6 Voting Rights Act districts
Szetela: YELLOW DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/268/23
- 5 Voting Rights Act districts, which are strengthened in Detroit, something many Detroiters asked for
- Maps that are less unfair, are still unfair. We want maps that are actually fair.
Kellom: RED DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/270/23
This map creates the most majority-minority districts. But it has a terrible partisan fairness score and will virtually guarantee victories by the party which receives the fewest votes.
Palm: RED DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/261/23
This map packs Democrats in Washtenaw County. While all the maps give an unfair advantage to Republicans, this one is the worst.
This map looks like it was designed to guarantee Republican majorities. Does not come close to being fair.
Lange: RED DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/274/23
This map creates no Minority-Majority districts and has a terrible partisan fairness score. This map is horrible. It will virtually guarantee majorities by the party that receives the fewest votes.
CONGRESSIONAL
Different groups use different methods of analysis. Some of these groups believe that Szetela, Birch and Chestnut achieve partisan fairness. Other groups believe that only Szetela is fair. Some commissioners have indicated that they will lean towards the collaboratively drawn tree maps rather than consider any maps proposed by individual commissioners.
We have three messages: 1.The Szetela map is the only fair map. 2. The Birch and Chestnut maps are reasonably fair, but not as fair as the Szetela map. 3. The Apple and Lange maps are extremely unfair.
Szetela: GREEN DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/275/23
Thank you for combining the best parts of Chestnut and Birch. This is the fairest map.
On both PlanScore and PTV’s Michigan-specific model, it gets close to a 0% Efficiency Gap. This is THE ONLY map that shows true partisan fairness, adequately addressed COI and establishes Voting Rights districts
Birch V2: GREEN DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/253/23
This is the most fair of the Congressional tree maps, but not as fair as Szetela
Some analysis show this has good partisan fairness, but PTV says this still gives more seats to the party that has the fewest votes.
- 2 Voting Rights Act districts
- Protects the most Communities of Interest in Detroit
Chestnut: GREEN DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/254/23
This map is pretty good, but not as fair as Szetela
Some analysis show this has good partisan fairness, but PTV says this still gives more seats to the party that has the fewest votes.
- 2 Voting Rights Act districts
- Protects the most Communities of Interest in Detroit
Apple V2: RED DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/252/23
This map makes it likely Republicans win most seats even when Democrats get most votes. This map is awful. Not quite as bad as Lange, but still pretty horrible.
Lange: RED DOTS
https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/273/23
This is the worst map. This map makes it likely Republicans win most seats even when Democrats get most votes. To say this map is horrible is an understatement.
Thank you for working to help end gerrymandering!
Nomi Joyrich
MUUSJN Consultant
P.S. the last public hearing will be on Dec. 16th in Detroit, 10am-12pm. This will be the last chance to testify in person or via zoom. Please let me know if you would like help writing your 60 second comment. Here’s some info about the meeting:
3044 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202
Comment is first come first serve. You can sign up for in-person comment beginning at 9:45am.
You can sign up to testify via zoom until 9am on Tuesday. Requests to speak remotely must be submitted via signup form available at https://www.research.net/r/QM252L8
Category: News |