Republicans challenge Michigan’s redistricting commission in court

By S.M. | NEW YORK

WHEN KATIE FAHEY (pictured), a Michigan resident, founded Voters Not Politicians in 2017, she took aim at gerrymandering—the increasingly potent practice whereby politicians of both parties redraw electoral lines to maximise their party’s advantage. After gathering 425,000 signatures to get a redistricting-reform amendment on Michigan’s 2018 ballot, the organisation overcame opposition from well-funded Republican groups and won two court battles that aimed to scrap the proposal. Last year, Michigan voters approved the amendment by a 61% majority. But on July 30th, on the eve of the commission’s formation, several notable Republicans have coalesced to scuttle the plan before it gets off the ground.