REDISTRICTING AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Michigan’s redistricting reform amendment assigns the Secretary of State an administrative role that includes:
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- Administering the application process, which includes mailing applications to 10,000 randomly selected voters, making applications available to voters across the state, and setting up a database to track applications received. The Secretary of State will also set aside incomplete and disqualified applications before the office administers a transparent statistical weighting and random selection process. You can read more about the selection process here.
- Acting as the Commission’s secretary without vote, which includes providing the Commission technical resources (computers, projectors, microphones, etc.) for open meetings and public hearings.
- Publishing final maps and a public record of all proceedings of the Commission.
You can read the amendment language here. To make it easy, we highlighted each time the Secretary of State appears in the language.
The Secretary of State has already begun administering the next redistricting process. Below is a list of what the Secretary of State has done to implement Michigan’s first Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission:
- The Secretary of State published the site “Citizens Redistricting Commission” on michigan.gov with information about the Commission, including a Citizen’s Guide, a Timeline, and Frequently Asked Questions.
- The Secretary of State is collecting contact information for voters who are interested in receiving an application. According to the form, the Secretary of State will provide you an application form once they are available (expected late 2019). Click here to sign up!
- The Secretary of State published a draft application and a draft list of eligibility requirements for public feedback. The window to provide public feedback closed on August 9th. You can view the draft application text here and the draft eligibility requirements here.
This list was last updated August 21, 2019. For the most recent information from the Secretary of State, visit www.MichiganRedistricting.org.
If you are interested in serving on the Commission, we encourage you to sign up to receive updates from Voters Not Politicians here. By signing up with Voters Not Politicians, you will receive:
- Updates on the application process, including locations where you can find an application when they are available
- Tips and resources to get your application notarized. We’re building a database of volunteer notaries across the state!
- Invitations to application workshops where you can get your questions answered
- Notifications when deadlines are approaching so you don’t miss your opportunity to shape Michigan’s future
- Other helpful resources on Michigan’s redistricting process and how you can participate
Frequently Asked Questions