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U.S. Supreme Court may change MI redistricting process

U.S. Supreme Court
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The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case that could base the drawing of legislative districts on voting age population rather than total population.

Michigan’s state legislative districts are created based on the total number of people living in a particular area, but a case before the U.S. Supreme Court might alter that system. We talk about how Michigan might be affected from Eric Lupher, president of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan.

Michigan, like every state in the country, divides its population into legislative districts. These boundaries are designed to congregate an even number of people into each district to ensure equal political representation. The Michigan Legislature draws the state’s House and Senate districts based on census data acquired every 10 years. Congressional districts are created in the same way.

A case now before the U.S. Supreme Court could change all that. At issue is whether legislative districts should be drawn according to the total population, as it now stands, or based only on persons of voting age.

The Citizens Research Council of Michigan has been studying the possible effects of a redistricting change in Michigan.

Current State speaks with the president of the CRC, Eric Lupher.

Scott Pohl is a general assignment news reporter and produces news features and interviews. He is also an alternate local host on NPR's "Morning Edition."
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