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MI Supreme Court hears oral arguments on gerrymandering case

Posted at 9:28 AM, Jul 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-18 10:59:01-04

The Michigan Supreme Court heard nearly an hour and a half worth of oral arguments on a proposal that would end gerrymandering in Michigan. 

The court will hear arguments beginning at 9:30 a.m. in Lansing. Watch live by clicking here.

Attorney Peter Ellsworth argued first on behalf of Citizens Protecting Michigan's Constitution before Solicitor General Aaron Lindstrom joined in on behalf of Attorney General Bill Schuette.

That was followed by Graham Crabtree on behalf of Voters Not Politicians.

Last month, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled against Citizens Protecting Michigan's Constitution, the group suing the Secretary of State over a proposal from Voters Not Politicians. 

The group says that Voters Not Politicians' proposal is too broad and instead says that their proposal "constitutes a general revision which can only be accomplished by the calling of a constitutional convention."

Under the Voters Not Politicians proposed constitutional amendment, an independent commission from state citizens would handle the redistricting. That board would be made up of four Democrats, four Republicans and five members with no political affiliation.

Whichever party is in majority has control of the redistricting process. In both 2000 and 2010, it has been the Republican Party. The next time districts will be drawn is in 2020.

After the 3-0 decision against Citizens Protecting Michigan's Constitution, the group appealed to the Supreme Court, which quickly denied a stay on the appeals court ruling.

On June 20, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers approved Voters Not Politicians' petition, meaning the proposal would be on the November ballot pending the Supreme Court ruling.

The Supreme Court holds the final decision on whether or not the proposal will be on the November ballot.