LANSING – The League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan is urging voters to get involved in the redistricting process by submitting written testimony and maps to the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission using the MICRC Public Comment Portal.

Anyone in Michigan can use the portal to submit written testimony and maps, draw maps or give feedback on other citizens’ maps to make their voices heard in the redistricting process. A YouTube video explains how to submit materials to MI Redistricting Public Comment Portal.

“For many years, redistricting was a political process that took place behind closed doors,” said Pauline Buchner, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan. “Citizens now have the power to draw the state’s new legislative and congressional districts, and it’s important for them to get involved in the process to make their voices and the voices of their community heard. Using the Public Comment Portal to submit written testimony and maps directly to the commission is the best way to do that.”

Local Leagues across the state have undertaken a widespread effort to educate voters on redistricting and to ensure the MICRC is doing what voters have asked: allow residents to draw district lines instead of legislators or special interests. The Commission is hosting public hearings across the state until July 1 where residents can learn more and can comment on how they want the MICRC to draw district lines.

The League of Women Voters of Michigan is the state league for the U.S. League of Women Voters, which is a nonpartisan political organization that aims to encourage informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Learn more at lwvmi.org.