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Proposed maps by MICRC could result in less State House representation for Flint

Featured photo: Essence Wilson, chief strategy officer for Communities First, Inc.

Written by Tanya Terry

Flint has been negatively impacted by past decisions of state government. These decisions resulted in emergency managers and the Flint Water Crisis. We need more representation, not less, to ensure that Flint can fully recover and thrive, according to Essence Wilson, chief strategy officer for Communities First, Inc.

The current enacted State House maps allow Flint to have two members of the House of Representatives: State Rep. John Cherry (49th House District) and State Rep Cynthia Neeley (34th House District). The proposed maps by the Michigan Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission (MICRC) show one representative for the entire city of Flint.

“The way the boundaries are drawn in the proposed maps, we run the risk of a community having one representative for the city of Flint versus two, and there’s a possibility that because the boundaries go outside of Flint, someone could be outside of Flint, run for that office and then win the office-and they not be a person of color and not be a Flint representative,” Wilson stated.

There were individuals who said at MICRC public hearings they wanted to keep Flint whole or make Flint whole.

“That is true that we don’t want to put Flint in a situation where we lose representation,” Wilson said. “There were individuals who maybe misunderstood or the interpretation by the Commission was ‘keep Flint whole,’ meaning don’t have more than one district representing the city of Flint. So, what we end up with the high likelihood we’ll have one representative that is a person of color and that is a candidate of choice. But, you eliminate that opportunity to have two representatives.”

The Commission will first review the maps they collaboratively produced as possible maps to move forward with. Each commissioner was also able to submit additional maps. But, the first three for consideration show Flint with essentially the same boundaries.

The overwhelming message community members from cities across the state have been sharing with the commissioners at MICRC public hearings is there is more work that needs to be done when it comes to the State House maps.

“Looking at the Congressional maps and the Senate maps, there were a couple that looked to be sufficient, that provide reasonable representative and that make sense for our community.”

The Commission is in the midst of a 45-day comment period. They can decide to revise and refine the maps, however, which may also cause the 45-day comment period to have to restart.

“What we have really tried to do is not combat the decisions of the MICRC. Our endeavors have been to educate the public about what the process is and about what the implications are of the maps and, regardless of what the residents’ position is, we’re supportive of helping them to craft messaging that represents their voice and what they want to say to the Commission.”

Edward Woods III, communications and outreach director for MICRC

At the first MICRC public hearing in Flint there was low turnout compared to other communities.  At the second public hearing, however, there was considerably more participation from Flint residents. Wilson attributes this to several groups and organizations in the community engaging residents through outreach efforts.

Communities First has been working with the Michigan Nonprofit Association, as well as NextVote, Flint Innovative Solutions and community activists to refine one of the maps the Commission has been looking at so that it meets all the criteria of the Constitution and the charge of the MICRC, while preserving two members of the State House for the city of Flint.

“There is a map that was developed with NextVote that has that better representation that we’ve been talking about, and that map was submitted with language that said ‘in Flint a number of people have spoken out about the state House map-and here’s why.’”

Redistricting Commission Forum

Map P7273 is a map that shows this group of residents’ and organizations’ preferred district lines for the city of Flint. NextVote took that piece of the map and incorporated it into the overall state map. They also worked to reconfigure districts to take into account communities of interest across the state and to take into account partisan fairness across the state. That map is number P9240.

It is important to note redistricting takes place at the state, county and city level.

In regards to potential final adoption of state maps, there is a MIRC meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, in Lansing. The public is always welcome to attend and speak at the meetings. Michigan residents can also comment online or provide written comment by mail.

To view the proposed Michigan Congressional, Michigan State Senate and Michigan State House maps and for other information, including meeting times and directions for public comment both virtually and in person, visit https://www.michigan.gov/micrc.

Redistricting Commission Forum

 

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