Federal Judge Denies Injunction in Redistricting Challenge
Fraser Trebilcock's election law team of Graham K. Crabtree, Peter D. Houk, Jonathan E. Raven, and Ryan K. Kauffman received a favorable ruling for their client, Voters Not Politicians ("VNP"), from U.S. District Court Judge Janet T. Neff in the pending lawsuits challenging the constitutional validity of Michigan’s new Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.
On November 25, 2019, Fraser Trebilcock's election law team of Graham K. Crabtree, Peter D. Houk, Jonathan E. Raven, and Ryan K. Kauffman received a favorable ruling for their client, Voters Not Politicians ("VNP"), from U.S. District Court Judge Janet T. Neff in the pending lawsuits challenging the constitutional validity of Michigan’s new Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. That decision has denied the plaintiffs' motions for issuance of a preliminary injunction that would have halted the implementation of Michigan's newly created Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission for State Legislative and Congressional Districts.
In November of 2018, Michigan’s voters overwhelmingly approved "Proposal 2," which amended the Michigan Constitution to create the new Redistricting Commission for drawing the state's congressional and legislative election district boundaries. The new Commission will perform that function without favoring any political party, candidate or official, and thereby eliminate the practice known in both major political parties as "gerrymandering."
In her opinion, Judge Neff ruled that the plaintiffs had not presented sufficient evidence to justify the issuance of a preliminary injunction after considering; (1) the plaintiffs’ likelihood of success on the merits; (2) whether plaintiffs would suffer irreparable injury without a preliminary injunction; (3) whether issuance of a preliminary injunction would cause substantial harm to others; and (4) whether the public interest would be served by issuance of a preliminary injunction. Having addressed those factors in detail, Judge Neff stated her finding that “a balancing of the equities weighs against preliminarily enjoining Secretary Benson from implementing the voter-approved provisions of Michigan's Constitution mandating the establishment of an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission."
"Volunteers at VNP deserve a legal team that considers every decision a must-win. Fraser Trebilcock is proud to continue to stand with VNP and with Campaign Legal Center to sustain the intent of the Michigan voters," said Jonathan E. Raven, member of the election law team and Shareholder of Fraser Trebilcock.
You can read the full opinion HERE.