Federal court: Michigan political maps illegally gerrymandered

[demmiblue]

Source: The Detroit News

Detroit — Michigan must redraw legislative and congressional districts for the 2020 elections because Republican lawmakers unconstitutionally gerrymandered current maps, a three-judge federal panel ruled Thursday.

The blockbuster ruling requires Michigan to conduct special state Senate elections for certain seats next year, cutting in half the four-year terms that current lawmakers are now serving.

The “predominate purpose” of the redistricting plan approved by the GOP-led Legislature in 2011 “was to subordinate the interests of Democratic voters and entrench Republicans in power,” said the unanimous decision written by U.S. Circuit Court Judge Eric Clay, an appointee of Democratic President Bill Clinton.

“Therefore, the enacted plan constitutes a durable partisan gerrymander.”

Read more: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/25/michigan-gerrymandering/3576663002/

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[RandySF]

1. It's hard to get excited know our current SCOTUS

[MyOwnPeace]

2. Get excited........

We keep pounding, pounding, and pounding until we get fairness and freedom - even if it is small steps!

[demmiblue]

3. ...

[riversedge]

4. MI Repugs get first shot at redrawing the maps..........

Stephen Wolf
?Verified account @PoliticsWolf
52m52 minutes ago

Michigan's legislature, where the GOP holds gerrymandered majorities despite losing the popular vote in 2018, will get a first shot at redrawing the maps. But Dem Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could veto replacement gerrymanders, meaning the court would draw fairer districts instead

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[DeminPennswoods]

5. Won't the Rs appeal?

It would be much better if this lawsuit had gone through state courts and based on the state constitution. I can't honestly see this decision standing.

[LuckyLib]

6. Surprise, surprise! The Republicans played with gerrymandering. All over the country.

[wysimdnwyg]

7. I'd be a lot more confident in this meaning anything if SCOTUS wasn't stacked

The likely scenario for this is a visit to the SC, who will likely rule against voters. Even if, by some miracle, the court upholds the ruling (or punts on it, which is more likely), the Republicans will run out the clock so they hold the seats through 2022 at least. By that point they will have redrawn the districts again, starting the battle all over.

[mahannah]

8. Yes! This a big deal. I live in Kalamazoo.

[DownriverDem]

13. It sure is. I live in Lincoln Park

[Firestorm49]

9. Please, please, please, get Wisconsin in on this. Skippy and the Crew screwed us good!

[Firestorm49]

10. I'll have a drink to celebrate. It's not my state, but it's progress in pursuit of fairness.

[Kurt V.]

11. great!

[DownriverDem]

12. As a Michigander

I'm beyond thrilled. For 4 elections in a row, more folks voted for the Dem, but because of gerrymandered districts, repubs kept control. When we vote statewide for senators, we vote for Dems - Stabenow and Peters. We voted for a citizens committee to draw up our district lines. This will make such a difference. repubs have been ruining Michigan for years.

[JudyM]

14. Yes!

No stalling, boys.

[Stuart G]

15. I think this is a very, very big deal.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Supreme Court does not take this one on. This is so obvious and wrong (that is the gerrymandering) that SC may take a pass. Even if one fair minded republican appointee sees the truth, then the SC will take a pass and not even take this up.

Also, this was a unanimous decision by a 3 judge panel. SC just may take a pass. If that happens...we have won a tremendous victory.

[loves_da_dems]

16. Good news

It's the only way the Pukes can win. Lie, cheat, and steak. It's been going on since they stole the election from Kerry.

[SKKY]

17. Same thing happened in Pennsylvania, they re-drew the districts, and then WHAM!

...Dems start flipping seats all over the place. Imagine that. Now, would this have flipped Michigan for Clinton?

[Takket]

20. Gerrymandering doesn't effect statewide elections

[roamer65]

18. Time to get the independent commission up and running.

Proposal 2 needs to take effect immediately.

The redrawing needs to go to the commission, not to the legislature.

[cstanleytech]

19. If the Democrats do regain the majority they should do a complete house cleaning of the state

government as well as launch an exhaustive investigation into the corruption from the prior legislature with an independent investigator that is given free reign to find those that committed any criminal act while in office.

[Takket]

21. The ruling is good but unnecessary

Michigan already passed a ballot initiative to take district drawing away from the legislature and give it to a commission. So the redraw was already happening anyway.

But I certainly appreciate the importance of corrupt rethugs getting called out in court for this shit AGAIN.