Rebecca Szetela (U) from Canton Michigan was sworn in on November 10, 2020 to replace Glen Shaw (U) who had resigned on October 16, 2020. Ms. Szetela was chosen in a random draw from the remaining pool of unaffiliated applicants as prescribed by the Constitutional Amendment.
The Commission will continue to meet virtually until at least January 31, 2020. The Legislature extended the exception to the Open Meetings Act, allowing public bodies to meet virtually until March 31.
Staff
The Commission has hired an Executive Director, Suann Courtwright Hammersmith. On December 17, they selected their General Counsel from the field of four candidates whom they had interviewed on December 10. After January 1, 2021, the Commission will interview seven candidates for the position of Communication and Outreach Director. The Open Meetings Act requires that all interviews be conducted in public. Recordings of all interviews will continue to be available at RedistrictingMichigan.org.
Webinars and Presentation to the ICRC
On December 3, the ICRC heard a presentation on the Census. This was followed up with a Webinar on December 4, which explained in more detail how Michigan will receive and use the 2020 Census data. The Census data will be sent to the ICRC to use in drawing the district maps for the Michigan Legislature and the U.S. Congress. Accurate data is important because of the Supreme Court decision requiring that districts be of equal population. Census data will be the building blocks for the maps. Recordings of the meetings which included the presentation and webinar are available at RedistrictingMichigan.org.
Communities of Interest
Beginning in January, the ICRC will enter its second phase of work, Community Outreach and Communities of Interest. They have asked for a Webinar on Communities of Interest to be scheduled when they start meeting again in January.
The state League is developing a plan for reaching out to Communities of Interest across the state. The 12 member League Monitoring Team will play a key role. Local Leagues will also have an opportunity to participate. More information will be sent to local League Presidents after the first of the year. Respecting Communities of Interest is one criterion for drawing the maps.
Upcoming Meeting Schedule
On December 17, the ICRC adopted its meeting schedule for January 2021. The Schedule is posted at RedistrictingMichigan.org.
Sue Smith, LWVMI VP Advocacy
