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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Sam Inglot, sam@progressmichigan.org

New Report: Republicans' Fight Against Fair Legislative Maps

Michigan’s right-wing has been fighting against a fair, nonpartisan redistricting process for decades, spending millions to spread lies.

WASHINGTON

A new report by Progress Michigan outlines how Michigan Republicans and right-wing groups have opposed independent redistricting, nonpartisan maps, and an equal voice for all voters. The report comes on the heels of a story by The Intercept showing DeVos influence on the anti-redistricting effort.

In addition to disclosing financial opposition to Proposal 2 in 2018, which created Michigan's Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, the report compiles misinformation and outright lies the right has been spreading and continues to spread about the former, discredited redistricting process, the new Commission and their process, and even the commissioners themselves.

"Republicans have gerrymandered their way to power behind closed doors for decades in Michigan," said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. "But voters had enough of their political power grabs and in 2018 overwhelmingly voted for an independent redistricting process. Now, rather than engage in the new redistricting process in good faith, Republicans and right-wing groups linked to the DeVos political machine have continued spreading lies to twist the process and undermine the public's faith in the Commission. Their critiques should be seen as exactly what they are: the tantrum a child throws when they don't get their way."

The full report is available here. Some highlights include:

  • Republicans and right-wing groups spent over $3.5 million opposing Proposal 2 in 2018.
  • FAIR Maps, a regular voice on the right about redistricting matters, is clearly linked to the DeVos family and the Freedom Fund, who opposed Proposal 2.
  • County level party emails and social media posts show Republicans injecting partisan politics into redistricting and a complete disregard for the truth as they attempt to vilify the Commission.

Progress Michigan aims to provide a strong credible voice that holds public officials and government accountable, assists in the promotion of progressive ideas and uses state-of-the-art web based new media to creatively build grassroots support for progressive ideas.