The Michigan Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission put the figurative pen to paper, drawing boundaries for the State Senate including a draft district encompassing much of the Thumb. The drafting process is just the first step towards redrawing all of Michigan’s House, Senate, and Congressional districts based on the 2020 census results. During Wednesday’s public meeting of the commission, Dustin Witjes asked fellow commissioner Doug Clark about which parts of St. Clair County belong in which district.
“Does St. Clair County, the lower portion of it to where that point is, does that align more with Macomb than the Thumb?” asked Commissioner Witjes. Commissioner Clark responded “yes”, favoring an approach where St. Clair County south of Marine City Highway would be in a different State Senate District along with portions of Macomb County.
Witjes also went on to ask about how Sarnia would fit into the proposed map, with fellow commissioners having to remind him that Sarnia was in Ontario, not Michigan. Once commissioners complete the State Senate maps, they will move on to the US and State House of Representatives. The draft maps will be voted upon by the commission and published, prompting a 45 day public comment period, followed by another round of voting by commissioners.
Public comments and videos of the process can be viewed at www.michigan.gov/micrc/
