LANSING (WKZO AM/FM) — In an 3 to 4 ruling that came out at 10:30 Tuesday night, the State Supreme Court dismissed the challenge of a group backed by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce that blocked an anti-gerrymandering initiative from going on the November Ballot.
Tuesday was the last day of the court’s session, and they worked late.
The opponents claimed the constitutional changes proposed by Voters Not Politicians made too many changes to The State Constitution, and that the measure would create a new branch of government. The Majority Opinion stated that that should be left to the voters to decide.
Katey Fahey, the executive Director of Voters Not Politicians was very relieved when we talked to her soon after the opinion was released. Fahey says they still face a battle in the court of public opinion over the next three months.
She expects a fight with the forces that prefer the status quo for the hearts and minds of Michigan voters.
Kalamazoo Rep. Jon Hoadley says if ever a group deserved a spot on the ballot, this group is the one. She says they were able to gather up over 400-thousand signatures with an all- volunteer force and do it well within the limits imposed by the state.
The group wants voters to approve an independent and non-partisan citizens group to redraft future legislative boundaries and take it out of the hands of the majority party, who tend to draw the lines to favor themselves.
She says it appeals to people all across the political spectrum who believe in the power of democracy, and feel the current system has become corrupted by the entrenched establishment.
