In November 2018, 61% of Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment to move the power of drawing election districts from the legislature into the hands of an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC). Margaret Leary will describe how “Prop 2” got on the ballot, its content, and the selection of MICRC members. She will also outline the MICRC’s work from September 2020 through March 2022. She will describe how well members worked together, the expert help they hired, the most difficult areas to map, and public response to the Commission. By the time this class convenes, the MICRC will have approved final maps, which may generate lawsuits. The open process and improved election maps should in turn improve voters’ confidence in Michigan’s elections. 
Margaret A. Leary received a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. from the University of Minnesota, an M.A. from Eastern Michigan University, and a J.D. from the William Mitchell College of Law. She taught at the University of Michigan Law School, and was director of the university’s Law Library from 1984 to 2011.