The new Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission – created by the Voters Not Politicians 2018 ballot measure – is holding hearings to help develop new legislative district maps for the next decade. For the first time, residents can provide input about how voting boundaries are drawn, including regarding “communities of interest” that are important for the commission to take into account.

Battle Creek Education Association President Anthony Pennock testified remotely at a May meeting held in Kalamazoo. “I love my community and felt for my entire adult life it has been misrepresented and undercounted by being linked to areas of the state where the needs of the people are so vastly different. Now I feel the voices of my community and members can be heard. Battle Creek and Kalamazoo are so inextricably linked in so many ways, they should be in the same Congressional district.”

Upcoming hearings include the following locations (doors open at 4 p.m. and run from 5-7 p.m.) – follow the links to sign up to attend either in-person or virtually:

–        Tuesday, June 15 – Detroit – The Village Dome at Fellowship Chapel, 7707 W. Outer Dr., Detroit, MI 48235

–        Thursday, June 17 – Detroit – TCF Center, 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226

–        Tuesday, June 22 – Port Huron – Blue Water Convention Center, 800 Harker St., Port Huron, MI 48060

–        Thursday, June 24 – Warren – MRCC Banquet Center, 23401 Mound Rd.,Warren, MI 48901

–        Tuesday, June 29 – Muskegon – VanDyke Mortgage Convention Center, 939 Third St., Muskegon, MI 49440

–        Thursday, July 1 – Grand Rapids – DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Hearings have been held since early May in other areas of the state. Outside of these hearings, any Michigan citizen can submit online testimony at www.michigan-mapping.org.

Interested in more information about testifying and making your voice heard? Contact MEA’s Jessica Lumbreras at jlumbreras@mea.org. To learn more about the commission and their process, visit www.michigan.gov/MICRC.