Washtenaw Redistricting Plans Presented

Two redistricting plans for the Washtenaw County board of commissioners – one proposing an increase from 11 to 12 districts, and another proposing a decrease to 9 districts – were presented at the April 28, 2011 meeting of the county apportionment commission. The 9-district plan was proposed by county prosecuting attorney Brian Mackie, a Democrat who’s also a member of the apportionment commission. The 12-district plan – which creates a new district for Scio Township – was proposed by county clerk Larry Kestenbaum, a Democrat who chairs the apportionment commission, and Mark Boonstra, a commission member and chair of the Washtenaw Republican Party. The plans will be posted on the apportionment commission’s website later this evening.

The commission discussed the plans but did not vote. Two additional meetings are scheduled: on Wednesday, May 4 at 5 p.m. and on Wednesday, May 11 at 5:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the lower-level conference room at 200 N. Main St., Ann Arbor. By law, the commission has until June 6 to approve a redistricting plan. Other commission members are county treasurer Catherine McClary, and the chair of the county Democratic Party, Cleveland Chandler.

The commission has held three public hearings to get public input on redistricting, a state-mandated process that takes place every 10 years following the release of new census data. Several people also spoke during public commentary at today’s April 28 meeting. [See Chronicle coverage: "Public Gives Input on County Redistricting" and "Washtenaw Redistricting Work Begins"]

This brief was filed from the apportionment commission meeting at 200 N. Main St., Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow: [link]