Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is seeking to settle a lawsuit that could upset districts in the Michigan Legislature and the state’s congressional delegation. The Democrat on Thursday filed a brief seeking to halt a trial scheduled for February 5.
“It looked like we were going to lose if this case went to trial,” Benson told WSJM’s “Moody in the Morning.”It’s my responsibility to ensure a settlement that will save taxpayer money and ensure fair representation.”
The League of Women Voters and others in 2017 sued to challenge the Republican-drawn seats. The maps are in effect through the 2020 election. Voters in November approved a plan to take redistricting away from lawmakers starting in the 2022 election.
“We’ve got a process now in place for a non-partisan, independent citizen redistricting commission to draw the line, and that will be convened in 2020,” added Benson.
She says it is “clear” that a federal judge in Detroit has found “significant evidence of partisan gerrymandering.” Her legal move could potentially lead to the redrawing of the maps before the 2020 election.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
