The U.S. Census Bureau released 2020 census data which will inform federal funding for Michigan the drawing of new legislative maps. 

The release revealed changes in the size and distribution of the population across the U.S.

Census data at a glance:

•    U.S. metro areas grew by 9% from 2010 to 2020.

•    52% of U.S. counties saw a decline in population. 

•    The adult population group grew 10.1% over the decade

•    There was a 6.7% increase in housing units.

CMF’s Government Relations and Public Policy team advocated for Congress to extend the Census 2020 statutory reporting deadlines for apportionment and redistricting, noting that it was imperative the U.S. Census Bureau had enough time to ensure quality, precision and accuracy in the census count process. 

Michigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) will use the data to create new Congressional and legislative maps for Michigan, which is set to start later this month.

MICRC is using the information gathered from public hearings, comments submitted online or by phone and the suggested maps submitted by the public to create the new districts. 

The MICRC is encouraging the public to continue submitting districting plans and community of interest maps in addition to their public comments through the MI Redistricting Public Comment Portal.

Public input will help inform the MICRC on how communities define themselves and their physical boundaries and what communities of interest exist in the state. In April, CMF’s Civic Engagement Learning Community hosted a conversation with Michigan philanthropy on Michigan’s redistricting process and the roles philanthropy can play in ongoing work to enable and empower communities to have their collective voices heard and their community needs met.

Suann Hammersmith, executive director of the commission, and Edward Woods III, communications and outreach director, is asking foundations to encourage their communities to submit public comments and maps through the redistricting public comment portal. 

MICRC has offered to attend town halls hosted by community organizations and community foundations in cities where they may not be holding a public hearing to help inform the public about the redistricting process and the importance of sharing their comments and feedback. 

In June, Barry Community Foundation, a CMF member, hosted a town hall event in Barry County to engage the community on redistricting. 

The Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA), with initial funding from CMF members the Ford Foundation, Joyce Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, Wege Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, created a statewide coalition of nonprofit organizations to ensure voices of historically marginalized communities are heard through the redistricting process. 

As CMF reported, through the Independent Citizens Redistricting (ICRC) Initiative MNA is mobilizing nonprofits to achieve fair and impartial district maps for Michigan, specifically to promote racial equity so the voices of community members are lifted up and included in the important decision-making that occurs at the local, state and federal levels.

MNA has expanded its cohort of community organizations that they are providing support to in the redistricting process. 

NextVote, a consultant group that helps bridge technology gaps for community participation in the draft map drawing process, will offer coaching and assistance to MNA’s redistricting cohort in creating a narrative for public comment to the commission.

The Michigan Constitutional deadline for map publication is in September but the deadline will likely be extended to October and then citizens will have 45 days to review and provide comments on the maps. 

In the coming months, the commission plans to revise draft maps and prepare finals maps before the end of the year.

If you are interested in additional resources and opportunities to engage and promote participation in the redistricting process in your community, please contact Kyra Hudson, CMF’s public policy fellow.

Want more?

Read the full 2020 Census data.

Learn more about Michigan’s Independent Redistricting Commission.

Learn more about how to use the public comment portal.

View or request mapping training.

Access Michigan Nonprofit Association’s redistricting communications toolkit.