The application to be on the state’s new redistricting commission is now open—you can apply through June 2020 to be a part of redrawing fairer district voting maps in Michigan.

The commission is being formed by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson after voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure to end gerrymandering of state voting maps by political parties. Voters OK’d the amendment to the state Constitution in November 2018.

The application is available online but must be printed to include a notarized signature.

To encourage the widest possible pool of applicants, Benson last week announced the availability of free notary services at various locations across the state. In addition, a number of application workshops have been tentatively scheduled for the following dates and locations:

• Nov. 2 in Flint
• Nov. 6 in Lansing
• Nov. 13 in Grand Rapids
• Nov. 14 in Kalamazoo
• Nov. 17 in Pontiac
• Nov. 20 in Saginaw
• Nov. 21 in Detroit
• Nov. 23 in Benton Harbor
• Dec. 3 in Traverse City
• Dec. 6 in Marquette

The commission will be composed of 13 randomly-selected Michigan registered voters: four who affiliate with the Democratic Party, four who affiliate with the Republican Party, and five who do not affiliate with either major political party.

Every 10 years following the U.S. Census, district lines for political offices must be redrawn in states across the country to accurately reflect their population. Under Michigan’s new constitutional provision, voters charged the Secretary of State with administering the application and selection process of commissioners.

The randomly selected commission of citizens will each earn approximately $40,000 as compensation for their service. Commission members also will have the authority to choose whether to reimburse their travel and other related expenses as part of their duties.

The commission will convene in the fall of 2020 and will be required to enact district maps no later than Nov. 1, 2021. Commissioners will set meeting dates and other commitments within those parameters upon convening.

Any registered and eligible voter in the state may apply to serve on the commission. Certain groups of people are not eligible to serve, including partisan political officials, candidates, registered lobbyist agents, and their employees or close relatives.

Find the application and more detailed information about the commission here.