In an effort to end the extreme partisan gerrymandering that threatens to undermine the legitimacy of our system of representative government, the ballot committee Voters Not Politicians submitted more than 425,000 signatures to put a constitutional amendment on the November 2018 ballot. 

If approved by the voters, the initiative would give responsibility for drawing legislative districts to an independent citizens redistricting committee.  In May 2018 an organization funded by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit to prevent the ballot initiative from going on the ballot, arguing that the proposed constitutional amendment was a “revision” of Michigan’s Constitution rather than an amendment. 

When the case reached the Michigan Supreme Court, the ACLU of Michigan filed a friend-of-the-court brief in favor of ballot access. 

In July 2018 the Michigan Supreme Court agreed and, by a vote of 4-3, ordered the state to put the initiative on the November 2018 ballot. 

(Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution v. Secretary of State; ACLU Attorney Sharon Dolente; Cooperating Attorney Andrew Nickelhoff of Sachs Waldman.)

Status

Victory!