Appeals Court Voids Oakland County Redistricting Law
LANSING (WWJ/AP) - The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld part of a lower court's ruling involving redistricting in Oakland County.
The court ruled Wednesday that the law passed last year by the GOP-controlled Legislature was a local act affecting only one government and needed to pass with two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate to meet state constitutional requirements.
A bipartisan Oakland County apportionment committee had drawn a redistricting map for the county Board of Commissioners when the GOP-controlled board challenged the plan. After losing in court, GOP commissioners asked Republican lawmakers to empower them to draw their own plan.
Republicans have defended the maps as legal and fair throughout the redistricting process. But Democrats say the new districts were adopted quickly and without enough public feedback.
Wednesday's ruling means the county must keep its current level of commissioners and the bipartisan apportionment plan until after the 2020 census. It's unclear if Republicans will appeal to a higher court.
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