Redistricting Resurfaces

A recent US Supreme Court decision which allows states to take away lawmakers’ authority to draw legislative district lines has prompted some to consider a petition drive in Michigan to create a special commission to draw the lines.

But it may not be that easy.

A longtime political pollster who helped draw congressional lines in the early 80s says redistricting is a complicated issue that tends to result in glassy eyed responses from people, which could make a ballot proposal effort more difficult.

Bernie Porn of Lansing-based EPIC MRA also says they tried to survey alternative approaches to redistricting and the public didn’t grasp the issue so the group threw in the towel.