The U.S decennial census provides critical information states use in redistricting electoral boundaries within their territories. Redistricting is essential in apportioning the nation’s 435 U.S. House of Representatives seats.

The opportunity for redistricting presents an unfortunate window for corruption in the form of gerrymandering: the manipulation of the electoral district boundaries by the party that rules the state legislature for selfish party gains.

Redistricting is done every ten years after the U.S national census, and the redistricting mandate has historically been vested in state legislation. However, several states have passed laws to withdraw the redistricting power from the legislature to independent citizen commissions, and Michigan is one of them. The primary goal of Michigan’s redistricting plans is to end the prevalent gerrymandering in the state.

Michigan is infamous as the most gerrymandered state in the country. I support any proposal to end the vice because it generally derogates democracy in Michigan, and the U.S. Initiatives such as Proposal 18-2 have previously encountered partisan polarization and legal challenges.

However, Proposal 18-2 has garnered overwhelming public support, as voters passed the proposal through a popular initiative in 2018. The proposal seeks to move Michigan’s redistricting role from the state legislature to an independent citizen commission, demonstrating how Michiganders are aware of the adverse effects of gerrymandering in the state.

In 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts cannot adjudicate on partisan gerrymandering matters, citing that the courts do not have jurisdiction in such a political question. However, Michiganders insisted that “the power belongs to the people.” The advocacy group Voters Not Politicians originated a proposal that pushed for establishing an independent commission through a popular vote to circumvent political corruption.

The voters of Michigan spoke, and their voices in the state constitution must be heard. Michigan must put in place measures to fast-track redistricting plans to end the unpleasant gerrymandering in the state. Voters want a redistricting exercise that is devoid of partisan politics to promote transparent and more fair elections. I believe this will be enhanced through the 13-member Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission created through the new constitutional amendment.

The law stipulates rigorous restrictions for one to become a redistricting commission member. These restrictions are intended to root out political interests from the crucial commission, ensuring no individual or political party benefits unfairly from the commission’s membership.

Ending gerrymandering will promote competitive politics that will be policy-centered rather than pursuing the selfish interests of political parties. In this regard, politicians must listen to the voter's interests and anchor their political ideologies on the public interest. Ultimately, there will be a fair and equitable representation of Michiganders in the state legislature and the U.S House of Representatives with a true reflection of actual population figures and geographical boundaries.

To sum it up, I fully believe the independent commission is Michigan's best course of action. Partisan interests have historically impaired equality in representation of Michiganders in the state legislature and the U.S House of Representatives. And to this end, Michiganders raised their voices through the 2018 popular initiative and are seeking a new dawn in political legislation.