The Michigan Supreme Court is weighing oral arguments on a state ballot proposal aimed at stopping gerrymandering. Attorney Peter Ellsworth presented arguments against the proposal on behalf of the group “Citizen’s Protecting Michigan’s Constitution,” which opposes the measure. He said the proposed independent commission for redistricting would create a “super agency” with no checks and balances.
“It would be given absolute control over this very important function of drawing legislative district lines,” Ellsworth argued. “It is truly a radical departure from what we have had over the years in Michigan.”
The attorney for the group behind the effort, as one would expect, disagreed and notes voters have decided other critical issues in the past.
“The Headlee Amendment has made sweeping changes to the way state and local governments operate, very fundamental (changes),” argued Graham Crabtree. “Is that something that the people shouldn’t have been allowed to vote on? The Tish property tax amendment didn’t get adopted, but that was very, very complicated.”
If passed, the proposal would take the authority for creating the districts for the state Legislature and the U.S. House away from Michigan lawmakers and give it to a yet-to-be created commission. The Michigan Court of Appeals ordered the Secretary of State’s office to put the measure on the ballot earlier this year.
