LANSING (WKZO AM/FM) — The Secretary of State and the League for Women Voters have reached a settlement on a lawsuit challenging the drafting of state legislative and congressional districts, but will limit any changes in the 2020 districts to 11 State House seats.
The League sued, claiming that republicans went behind closed doors and completely controlled the design of districts statewide, except in Detroit.
They say the resulting gerrymandering has resulted in Republicans controlling the state legislature despite having fewer voters. Jocelyn Benson, admitting they had no case, settled.
It still has to be approved by the courts.
Among the House Districts that could be redrawn in the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek area, those held by Jon Hoadley and Matt Hall.
Republicans have called it a power grab by the Democrats, which is exactly what the Democrats claim the Republicans have enjoyed for the last decade.
The difference is that the changes for 2020 impact only a minority of house seats, rather than every House, Senate and Congressional district in the state.
It’s not clear yet who would redraw the boundaries in the 11 districts.
By 2022, the new voter approved Redistricting Commission will have been appointed to redraft all of the state’s districts, following the U.S. Census.
