Census numbers cause gov’t redistricting

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State lawmakers now have access to detailed census data following their release this week, marking the next step in the process of redrawing district lines to reflect Michigan’s shrinking population.

With the state’s overall population declining by about 54,000 and a massive population shift of more than 237,000 people out of Detroit, university and local experts say the process likely will change Michigan’s political landscape significantly.

The population loss cost Michigan one of its seats in the U.S. House, paring the total down to 14.
The loss also likely will cost seats in the state House and Senate.

As lawmakers begin plugging numbers into special software to help them redraw legislative and congressional districts, a war of words continues.

Republicans hold a majority across a broad spectrum in Michigan’s government, especially in the Legislature. Democrats in both legislative houses are calling for a transparent and fair process, with
Republicans ensuring it will be.

“The process is going to be legal and fair and constitutional,” said state Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, vice chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee.

“For anybody to suggest anything different is just complete nonsense.”

Democrats have reason to try to bring as much attention about the redistricting process as possible because they stand to lose, said Doug Roberts, director of MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research.

The Democratic stronghold of Detroit faced the most significant losses, and it would be surprising if Republicans eliminated a seat held by their party, Roberts said.

Additionally, state legislatures are bound both by state and federal laws governing redistricting, curbing any outright attempts to give partisan advantage to a district.

Still, “the idea that the politics is completely going to be taken out of this, it just isn’t going to happen,” Roberts said.

State Sen. Steve Bieda, D-Warren, already has introduced legislation to ensure what he calls proper reforms to the process.

One bill would put the redistricting process in the hands of four Democrats, four Republicans and the state auditor general.

Bieda and other Democrats have called for a series of public meetings to be held to discuss the latest developments with the process. Jones and other Republicans say committee meetings are held to keep the public aware.

“I think that the process sometimes has a tendency to be sought for partisan political advantage,” Bieda said.

“I think we need to be fair and have an open system.”

Bernie Porn, president of Lansing polling firm EPIC-MRA, said Republicans likely will view moving quickly on redrawing the districts as advantageous.

Democrats, on the other hand, are more likely to try to “slow things up” with extensive hearings and other examinations to be able to highlight publicly any possible Republican missteps.

“(Republicans) control the pen,” Porn said.

“If they can determine the loss of a seat, they’re probably going to construct districts in a way that would cause the loss of a seat to be a Democratic seat regardless.”

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