Michigan had an all-volunteer signature initiative to place a referendum on the ballot for MI voters to vote on an independent districting commission. The stretegy was to exceed the numbers needed and authorize weekly all the signatures so there were no surprises. It was a long road as the voters voted for it, but then all the legal chal…
Michigan had an all-volunteer signature initiative to place a referendum on the ballot for MI voters to vote on an independent districting commission. The stretegy was to exceed the numbers needed and authorize weekly all the signatures so there were no surprises. It was a long road as the voters voted for it, but then all the legal challenges began and lots of money needed to defend. However, ultimately over a number of years, the commission and the districts, along with some tweaks, was successful, and the first Tim in 40 years Democrats took control of the state legislature by a small majority, which is quite representative of the state that is only slightly Dem majority. The entire process of Voters not Politicians" has continued on non-partisan issues, and the resource of online trained signature collectors, have continued to be utilized. MI is a model nationally of stopping gerrymandering. I believe the Dems are now losing power and the GOP will be majority, but this back n forth is largely due to the fairer redistricting, and it all started with a 20 something gal who didn't know it couldn't be done; only then did the LWV, and NAACP all sign on and use their influence to boost it and its success. It's a great story, and worthy of modeling when citizens take back their power, and not leave it to existent legislators.
Michigan had an all-volunteer signature initiative to place a referendum on the ballot for MI voters to vote on an independent districting commission. The stretegy was to exceed the numbers needed and authorize weekly all the signatures so there were no surprises. It was a long road as the voters voted for it, but then all the legal challenges began and lots of money needed to defend. However, ultimately over a number of years, the commission and the districts, along with some tweaks, was successful, and the first Tim in 40 years Democrats took control of the state legislature by a small majority, which is quite representative of the state that is only slightly Dem majority. The entire process of Voters not Politicians" has continued on non-partisan issues, and the resource of online trained signature collectors, have continued to be utilized. MI is a model nationally of stopping gerrymandering. I believe the Dems are now losing power and the GOP will be majority, but this back n forth is largely due to the fairer redistricting, and it all started with a 20 something gal who didn't know it couldn't be done; only then did the LWV, and NAACP all sign on and use their influence to boost it and its success. It's a great story, and worthy of modeling when citizens take back their power, and not leave it to existent legislators.