December 8, 2021
Michigan Rising Action Commends Lawsuit Against ‘Independent’ Redistricting Commission Over Secret Memos
Lansing, Mich., December 8, 2021 – Last night, a lawsuit was filed against Michigan’s “Independent” Redistricting Commission over documents from the committee’s secretive meeting on October 27. Last week the Commission voted to keep secret two memos and a recording from the closed-door meeting, the lawsuit looks to overrule that decision via court order. Detroit News reports:
“The emergency complaint from the The Detroit News, Bridge Magazine and Detroit Free Press seeks recordings from an Oct. 27 closed-door session and several confidential memos submitted to the commission on the basis that the state constitution requires the commission to conduct all business in public and to publish ‘all data and supporting materials’ used while preparing the redistricting plans.”
With every Democrat on the committee voting to keep the documents sealed, it begs the question of what they are trying to conceal. Michigan residents continue to be kept in the dark on critical Voting Rights Act information as the Commission nears the finalization of redistricting maps.
“Michigan’s so-called “Independent” Redistricting Commission has led a process shrouded in secrecy,” said Eric Ventimiglia, Executive Director for Michigan Rising Action. Ventimiglia continued, “The people of Michigan thought they were getting an open redistricting process, but decisions continue to be made behind closed doors. It is shameful that this Commission is more committed to their lawyers than acting in a transparent manner.”