The Allegan County Democratic Party is supporting a challenge to the proposed redistricting boundaries for the next decade, according to census figures recently released.
The proposed districts have been redrawn by a committee made up of County Clerk Bob Genetski, Treasurer Sally Brooks and Prosecuting Attorney Myrene Koch and the county chairs of the Republican and Democratic parties.
Chairwoman Jill Dunham and the Dems released a statement today on apportionment petition filed by a citizen with Michigan Court of Appeals, challenging the early County Commission district map submitted to the Bureau of Elections.
“This week, all five members of the Allegan County Apportionment Commission were served with a petition filed in the Michigan Court of Appeals challenging their plan to gerrymander the County Board of Commissioners.
“It’s no secret that the Apportionment Commission did a grave disservice by reducing the number of County Commissioner districts from seven to five. The submitted map includes a district that spans from Saugatuck to Hopkins and is clearly not compact, especially when compared to alternative maps before the commission.”
Dunham said she believes her colleagues on the Apportionment Commission didn’t consider the needs of a growing county or follow state statutes while redrawing districts.
“The process was clearly a rushed, partisan power grab that leaves the over 120,000 residents of Allegan County underrepresented,” Dunham said. “I’m optimistic that the Apportionment Commission can get it right and reverse course by adopting a less partisan, more compact map before the November 15th deadline given by the Bureau of Elections.”
Allegan County residents are encouraged to make their voices heard at the next meeting of the Apportionment Commission at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1. in the board room, at 3283 122nd Ave., Allegan,
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