Press Release
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Switalski
2007-02-09
(517) 373-7315

Switalski Proposal Aims To End Mid-Decade Restricting

Switalski amendment calls for limiting redistricting to once every 10 years
(Lansing)- State Senator Michael Switalski (D-Roseville) introduced a joint resolution on February 7 calling for a constitutional amendment that would eliminate the partisan politics in redistricting congressional and state legislative seats.

“It has been an unwritten rule for the past 200 years that redistricting is to be held once every ten years,” said Switalski. “Recently, opportunists have abused the redistricting process for partisan gain. This is wrong and this constitutional amendment would prevent Michigan from going on the same path.”



Senate Joint Resolution A would limit the redistricting and apportionment of legislative and congressional districts to once every ten years, following the Census. In 2003, former United States House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) engineered a special mid-decade redistricting once his party gained control of the Texas Legislature. The resolution calls for a nonpartisan panel to draw up legislative districts.

“My constitutional amendment calls for redistricting to be done by the traditional schedule so that the public’s confidence in its integrity is ensured,” said Switalski. “The Texas experience breaks with the fair play that undermines the democratic process. No matter who has power, this constitutional amendment states that you can’t change the rules of the game just because you have a temporary advantage.”

Senate Joint Resolution A is currently in the Senate Government Operations and Reform Committee where it awaits further consideration. If the proposal passes the Michigan Legislature, it would go before voters in the next general election.

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