December 29, 2021
Lansing - John E. Johnson, Jr., Executive Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, has issued the following statement in response to the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) vote on Tuesday, December 28, to adopt new electoral maps for Michigan.
"As the Michigan Civil Rights Commission detailed in their November 22 resolution, and as we outlined in our analysis and in our direct testimony at hearings across the state, the maps the Redistricting Commission developed and voted to adopt will dilute minority voting strength. It is deeply concerning that a public body in 2021, despite overwhelming input from experts, academics and the citizens who will be directly impacted by their decisions, endorsed maps that do not meet this vital legal and ethical test. The Commission will review this outcome and consider what next steps it will take."
At their November 22 meeting, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission passed a resolution calling upon the MICRC to ensure they do not dilute the minority vote in their adoption of new electoral maps. Read the resolution here: Michigan Civil Rights Commission Calls for Fair Maps, Opposes Minority Vote Dilution in Redistricting Process.
Find MDCR's memo to the MICRC on the proposed maps here.
The Michigan Civil Rights Commission was created by the Michigan Constitution to safeguard constitutional and legal guarantees against discrimination. The Commission is charged with investigating alleged discrimination against any person because of religion, race, color or national origin, genetic information, sex, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record, and physical and mental disability. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights serves as the operational arm of the Commission.
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