Michigan’s highest court rules that voters can decide in November whether to approve a measure that would put an independent commission in charge of redrawing legislative lines in the state. Two Republicans join two Dems.
A campaign treasurer for Republican-backed justices is on the board of a dark-money group that helped finance the drawing of GOP-friendly legislative districts, federal records show. The justices say they didn’t know.
The state’s High Court jousted with attorneys Wednesday over whether a measure that would change the way Michigan draws voting lines should be allowed to go to voters in November.
The high court says it will hear arguments July 18 on whether to allow voters in November to consider a ballot measure that would change how legislative districts are drawn in Michigan.
Schuette, the attorney general and Republican frontrunner for governor, wants Michigan redistricting question off the November ballot. His office argues the proposal creates “a fourth branch of government.”
The petition to create an independent citizens redistricting commission was approved to appear on the general election ballot Wednesday. The Michigan Supreme Court has yet to decide whether to consider a challenge to the proposal.
The Michigan redistricting measure may well be approved Wednesday for the November ballot. But the Michigan Supreme Court could still decide to reject the proposed constitutional amendment later this summer.
The high court is considering rule changes that critics say will make it harder to prosecute inept or crooked judges and delay the public release of misconduct charges.
