Created Equal: Should our political maps be drawn based on geography or race? 

Michigan’s legislative maps have been drawn — and re-drawn — several times by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission in the last year.

The 13-member commission is redrawing the districts to comply with an order from the federal court in late 2023, which found the maps violated the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause. The body submitted nine potential House district maps for consideration — with a 10th map put forth independently by a lone commission member — and are currently seeking public comment on the proposals.

A virtual town hall is taking place all day on Thursday, Feb. 15, during which southeast Michigan residents can ask questions about the draft map proposals. There are also two in-person public meetings planned this month for Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Greater Grace Temple, 23500 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit, and Thursday, Feb. 22 at Second Ebenezer Church, 14601 Dequindre St., Detroit.

Ben Solis joins Stephen Henderson on Created Equal to break down where the process is at and discuss the challenges of drawing fair and representative political maps.

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Ben Solis is a staff writer for Gongwer News Service. He says the MICRC’s initial redrawing of Detroit House districts roped in many communities outside the city into Detroit districts, which upset many Detroit residents and ultimately caught the attention of a federal court.

“No matter how they drew those lines, it really decimated the ability to elect Black candidates of choice in those key districts,” Solis said.

Listen to Created Equal with host Stephen Henderson weekdays from 9-10 a.m. ET on 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand.