Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission

In the aftermath of the first election that used newly-drawn districts in Michigan, created by an independent citizen’s commission, the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy and the Program in Practical Policy Engagement hosted a Policy Talk to e...

The effect of redistricting will be a major topic as the results of the 2022 elections are analyzed in the weeks and months ahead. In some states, districts were drawn by partisan legislatures; in others those maps were challenged in the courts with ...

Local officials in Michigan have rendered a mixed verdict on the state's new constitutionally mandated approach to redrawing electoral maps with the goal of reducing gerrymandering and promoting fairer elections. Only 24% of local officials are s...

Michigan's redistricting commission is not allowed to consider incumbency as it redraws the state's districts. John Chamberlin told Bloomberg Government that the headaches it's causing for both major parties means it is working. “A bloodbath for ...

Many of Michigan's business, political and academic movers and shakers are gathering this week for the annual Mackinac Policy Conference after the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of last year's event. While the number of people ferry...

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is being sued for not meeting deadlines, even though the census data they need to redraw districts has been delayed.  "It would have been as a sort of Herculean task to do all the work th...

John Chamberlin, Ford School professor emeritus of public policy and political science, says a recent controversy in Lansing calls out the need for increased transparency when it comes to lawmakers. A Michigan state representative is proposing a law ...

As the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission begins its work, Michigan citizens are being called upon to help with the process. John Chamberlin, professor emeritus of public policy and political science, explained how the new structu...

Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research  (IPPSR) and the Ford School’s Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) are collaborating to educate and assist Michigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commis...

With Michigan's congressional redistricting process beginning, John Chamberlin, professor emeritus of political science and public policy, weighed in on the effects the new Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission will have on gerrymand...

With the loss of a congressional district as a result of the most recent census, Michiganders have been left guessing what the new districts will look like. Most likely, districts will become more competitive for the upcoming midterm elections, but i...

The U.S. Census Bureau announced Michigan will drop from 14 congressional seats to 13 due to sluggish population growth since the last count in 2010. “It does reduce the state’s influence and ability to get things done; not by a lot, but a little bit...

New 2020 Census data means the loss of a Michigan Congressional seat, and redrawing the district lines will happen through a new citizen-driven process. "The process this year is radically different than the past," said John Chamberlin. "The public i...

John Chamberlin, Ford School professor emeritus of political science and public policy, describes himself as a "redistricting junkie." Not unexpectedly, he possesses a keen interest in and understanding of the efforts under way to develop Michigan's ...

Michigan’s local government leaders reported mixed familiarity with the state’s new approach to redistricting, according to a 2020 survey whose results were released today by the the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) at the Universit...

Commenting on the announcement that census data will be delivered up to six months late, Ivacko told Bridge Michigan, “The commission’s plate is already extra full because this is their first time. They’re building the plane as they're flying it, and...