A report from BridgeMI.com shows that the new Michigan State Senate map could favor democrats by a slight margin in upcoming elections here in West Michigan, and throughout the state.

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The map, approved by the non-partisan Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission on Friday, could see the democratic party take 20 of 38 districts if current voting trends continue in the state.

Voters created the citizens' group in 2018 after years of gerrymandering by the Michigan legislature that often left Democrats in the state underrepresented in comparison to Republican voters.

The proposal passed with over 60% of voter support in Michigan.

West Michigan would see Senate District 24 & 23 created and those districts would likely lean Democratic in future election cycles.

District 24 would include the northern portion of Grand Rapids, Ada, Walker, Alpine Township, Plainfield Township, and parts of Ottawa County.

District 23 would include the southern portion of Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Wyoming, & Kentwood.

Public comments on the new map will be held in meetings across the state with Grand Rapids hosting a public event on October 18th at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel from 5-8pm.

Additional public input will be taken at these locations as well:
October 20th in Detroit at the TCF Center
October 21st in Lansing at the Lansing Center
October 25th in Gaylord at the Treetops Resort
October 26th in Flint at the Dort Center

You can also submit comments to the MIRC online.

What is the citizens redistricting commission?

In November 2018, Michigan voters amended the Constitution with Proposal 18-2 or the "Voters Not Politicians" ballot proposal, a constitutional amendment to "establish a commission of citizens with exclusive authority to adopt district boundaries for the Michigan Senate, Michigan House of Representatives and U.S. Congress, every 10 years."

Now, the Michigan constitution empowers an independent commission of citizens to draw district lines for the Michigan Legislature and Michigan's members of Congress for the 2022 election and beyond.

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