Jocelyn Benson
Michigan Secretary of State Jccelyn Benson is working to settle a federal lawsuit challenging the state's electoral district boundaries, opening the door to the possibility for redistricting in time for the 2020 election.
"It's clear the court has found significant evidence of partisan gerrymandering, and the likely outcome would not be favorable to the state," Benson says in a statement published by the Detroit News. "It is therefore my responsibility to ensure a fair and equitable resolution for the citizens of Michigan that would save taxpayers money and ensure fair representation."
The suit, filed in 2017 by the League of Women Voters and Democratic lawmakers, calls for the congressional and legislative districts to be redrawn in light of "excessive" partisanship on the part of Republicans who crafted the maps in 2011.
But the Detroit News reports the effort will likely hit a snag:
Republican lawmakers recently joined the case, citing "uncertainty" over whether Benson would defend maps the GOP approved. It's likely those lawmakers will ask the three-judge panel to reject any settlement deal.
Plaintiffs began settlement discussions with Benson's office Jan. 10 and asked Republicans who joined the lawsuit to participate, but they declined, according to the filing.
Judges have affirmed the allegations outlined in the suit as it makes it way through the courts.
A panel allowed the case to proceed in November. Bridge Magazine reported:
“Emails that the mapmakers exchanged illustrate the profound extent to which partisan political considerations played into their redistricting efforts,” the judges wrote Friday.
They added that the “efforts proved extremely successful,” allowing Republicans to win a “majority of seats” in Congress the next three elections “despite never winning more than 50.5% of the statewide vote.”
The new boundaries would be in effect for only 2020, the News reports. An independent redistricting commission approved by voters last fall would pick up in time for 2022.
