Michigan redistricting panel OKs US House, legislative maps

Michigan’s new redistricting commission has approved new congressional and legislative maps, ones that are seen as fairer to Democrats than when the process was controlled by the Republican-led Legislature for two decades.

Republicans have controlled the Legislature for years following partisan gerrymandering. Voters in 2018 turned the process over to the independent commission.

The panel had to decide how to reconfigure districts to account for the loss of a congressional seat following the 2020 census.

In a landmark vote Tuesday, eight of 13 members of the panel voted for the 13-district plan known as “Chestnut.” There could be 7-6 splits in favor of either party if it is competitive statewide.

The entire Upper Peninsula will remain in the 1st Congressional District.

LINK: Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission