Today, the Michigan Independent Citizen’s Redistricting Commission (MICRC) will be holding their first public hearing listening session in Jackson, MI at 6:00pm. The hearing will be held at American 1 Event Center 128 W. Ganson St. Jackson, MI 49201. This will be the first of 16 hearings and kick off the critical summer long process of receiving public comment across Michigan to inform the redrawing of district lines that will occur later this year, once the commission receives full census data. The commission, made up of a bipartisan coalition of 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans and 5 Independents, will all be attendance and offer opportunity for public comment both in person and online via their public comment tool. The hearing will be livestreamed here.

Statement from Quentin Turner, Program Director, Common Cause Michigan

“It’s past time for Michiganders to have a voice in redistricting. Today Michiganders across the state should be excited for this hearing after they took power into their own hands by approving the independent redistricting commission. From the introduction of Prop 2 in 2018 to the selection process of Michigan’s first Independent Redistricting Commission in 2020, thousands of people have been involved in getting us here today. This public hearing and those in the months to follow will be the next big step in a redistricting process that will, for the first time, center the voices and needs of Michigan voters over politicians or political parties. Common Cause Michigan encourages all Michigan residents to make the time to submit a public comment to the commission. We would also like to thank the Commissioners and commission staff for their dedication to public input and look forward to continued transparency and accountability from the Commission.”