My Districting | MICHIGAN
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10-05-21 v1 CD DW
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2020 Census PL 94.171 Data
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Sue Macrellis
This map does not keep Jackson County whole. It combines rural areas of the county with Ann Arbor. Their needs are totally different and the people of this area would not have a voice.
Robert Hughes
I strongly appose a Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo district. The two districts are completely different in terms of populations and needs. It is a loser for all constituents.
Laura Hughes
This proposal does not benefit any of the communities involved. The needs are very different for the Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo cities. There is no reason for them to be in the same congressional district.
Andrew Robbins
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are two entirely different metropolitan areas with fundamentally different economic bases, cultures, constituent values, and community interests. Both cities are unique, vibrant, growing metropolises, and thus, their vested political interests should undoubtedly be represented apart from one another. The "Apple" district deserves strong criticism and ought to be removed from consideration right away.
Kyle Pung
This makes absolutely no sense and would be against the interests of both Kent and Kalamazoo. Kent County should be kept whole. Kalamazoo should be kept whole. What is even the point of trying to combine the two? To enrage the citizens and ensure less gets done? The communities have vastly different priorities, goals, issues and even industry mix. I strongly oppose this and entire Apple plan.
Susan Bologna
Troy has no community of interest or anything in common with Mt Clemens, Clinton Twsp, St Clair Shores. Troy is more aligned with Bloomfield Hills, Auburn a Hills, Rochester Hills. This map is strangely aligned. East pointe should be with Warren!
Steve Dohm
A lakeshore district down to the SW border is stepping over community demographics and common sense. MSAs are split up for no good reason. Clearly someone started in SE Michigan and had fatigue as the went across the state. And yeah like other commenters....a US 131 corridor district from GR south side to Kalamazoo makes little sense. These are two wholly different population centers. Why not follow all the major highways.
Timothy
PLEASE KEEP KENT COUNTY WHOLE. Kent County is a Community of Interest. Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo Should NOT be combined in a Congressional District. We have separate Hospitals, Airports, and are entirely different Communities altogether. Please keep Kent County Whole.
renee hill
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are two distinct and separate districts and belief systems. They do NOT and should NOT be lumped together.
Gregory Hansknecht
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo form two completely different communities of interest and should NOT be included together in a congressional district
Diana Wells
The proposed boundary lines of District 4 are absurd. I strongly oppose the entire "Apple Plan" redistricting version presented here. County lines should serve as district boundaries as often as possible. As proposed, the cities of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo would produce a stale mate in terms of the voting base as a congressional district. This would hurt both sides of the foretasted stale mate resulting in neither side having fair representation. The plan additionally fails to comply with several redistricting rules, therefore on face value, it has no merit and does not meet the necessary criteria to be named its own district as proposed.
Theresa Mungioli
Oakland County is not split with communities of interest. This map needs work. Rochester Hills, Rochester and Oakland Township belong with more of Oakland County.
Steven B
Please remove this cut out (Lyndon Township) and keep Washtenaw Co together. I see this proposed on many maps and strongly object. Please keep the county boundaries lines intact whenever possible.
Jared Boot
696 and M-59 connect Oakland and Macomb east to west and represent approximate boundaries to the north and south; many of these communities are connected economically and culturally because of those two roads.
Jared Boot
The Southeast Michigan map needs a lot of work, nobody who lives here would think this is good. Troy and Rochester are clearly Oakland County cities with large Indian and Asian communities.
Jared Boot
Troy and Rochester Hills are similar communities and belong together in Oakland County to maintain the Asian communities of interest.
Tim Bradshaw
I encourage the Commission to please keep Kent County whole within one Congressional District. The current map for Kent County proposed under the "Apple Plan" divides the Grand Rapids metro 6 region into two seperate congressional districts, tying Grand Rapids into a congressional district with Kalamazoo. Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo form two different communities of interest and should be within their own respective districts. Please reconfigure your map to keep Kent County whole within one congressional district.
Steven Meyer
This map hurts us in Monroe. It severs us from our natural Downriver community of interest. All of our major corridors in the eastern part of Monroe: Telegraph, I-75, and I-275, and the lakefront and port, tie us to with the Downriver community. There are no major corridors that tie us way out west to Saint Joseph, or any of those rural areas so we shouldn't be lumped in with those areas at the expense of the rest of our Downriver Community. Tim Walberg put out a campaign for this map because it favors him. The people that submitted this map are tied to his campaign. This map serves him, it doesn't serve the public, especially not us in Monroe.
Leslie
These maps are too favorable for Republicans
Michael Epperly
I am against the proposed District 4. Linking the City of Kalamazoo with parts of Grand Rapids (Kent County) doesn't make sense. These two communities are vastly different from one another. The cultures are completely different, the business communities prefer to operate separately from each other. Plus, in my case, Ada which really is a suburb of Grand Rapids, will now be part of District 5? Kent County is large enough, that the whole county should be in the same district. Perhaps pick up a piece of Ionia County and combine that with 100% of Kent County.
Shannon M
I like that this map unites Muskegon with other communities of color such as Holland, Benton Harbor, and South Haven. However, I think it would be better if this district also included Kalamazoo.
Peter Bane
Troy and Rochester have large Asian communities, and they belong together in Oakland County. This map needs a lot of work to be more fair.
Sara Kravitz
No one who lives in Oakland County will think this is a good idea. Troy and Rochester Hills are similar communities that belong with Oakland County.
Glen Cunkle
Troy and Rochester Hills are similar communities and belong together in Oakland County.
Glen Cunkle
To address prison gerrymandering, move the prison population to an overpopulated district.
Glen Cunkle
To address prison gerrymandering, move the prison population to an overpopulated district.
Margaret Schankler
Please move the prison population to an overpopulated district to address prison gerrymandering.
Lynne Muth
696 and M-59 connect Oakland and Macomb east to west and represent approximate boundaries to the north and south; many of these communities are connected economically and culturally because of those two roads.
Deborah J.Comstock
If the job was to rearrange the districts, why is it that District 8 looks unchanged. Walberg has not successfully represented his constituents for decades, and now he was to be sure to get reelected? This districts needs additional attention paid to it, and the citizens are not and have not been happy with this Walberg for a long time. This is NOT FAIR reconfiguration!
Deborah J.Comstock
If the job was to rearrange the districts, why is it that District 8 looks unchanged. Walberg has not successfully represented his constituents for decades, and now he was to be sure to get reelected? This districts needs additional attention paid to it, and the citizens are not and have not been happy with this Walberg for a long time. This is NOT FAIR reconfiguration!
Paul Wohlfarth
District 8 looks like it was drawn by the sitting Congressman Tim Walberg. Its totally safe and will subject the district to more of the same representation we have now which ignores 1/2 his constituents. I worry the current Congressman who will feel embolden to do whatever he wants without any voter controls.
Patrick M Ulanowicz
I can not believe you let Timmy Walberg's MiGOP cronies talk you into making a completely safe district for him. Wasn't "independent" in the name of the commission? Shame.
Allegra Pitera
The Southeast Michigan map needs a lot of work, nobody who lives here would think this is good. Troy and Rochester are clearly Oakland County cities with large Indian and Asian communities.
James J Stanton
Kent County should be kept completely whole in the Congressional maps. The APPLE Plan should be rejected. The cities of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are distinctly separate Communities of Interest (COIs) each with its own identity and priorities. Putting the two in a common District pits two cities which compete against each other for resources; they should be separate, focal economies in separate Congressional Districts. Honor the Communities of Interest! Similarly, for the State Senate District, the three proposed maps for Kent County all are identical and violate the concept of COIs. Rather than leaving all of Grand Rapids in one State Senate seat, the maps divide the city at its North-South center into two different Districts. The city of Grand Rapids is certainly a COI, and this must be respected. A solution has been proposed by others that the whole of the cities of G.R., East G.R., and Kentwood could be drawn into its own District (24), as these communities share much economic, social, and other community interests. Then, Grandville and Wyoming could be drawn-in with District 23. Also, the Townships along Kent County's southern border could join with Twps. in Allegan County. In so doing, like-minded communities could be together.
Hazen Hensley
I am 100% opposed of this proposal. Kalamazoo and Kent County are in no way districts that share any interests. This would not represent the people of each district and need to remain separate.
Lisa Hensley
I am in opposition of this proposal. These districts share completely nothing in regards to communities of interest.
Yousif
Contiguity correction: https://districtr.org/plan/71513
Yousif
https://districtr.org/plan/71511 - Here is a plan with 2 districts with majority-minority voting age population of black voters at 47.8% for each of the 2 districts. This will comply with VRA in MI requiring 2 districts with majority-minority of black voters.
Yousif
Here is a plan that creates 2 majority-minority districts at 46.1% while keeping the Chaldean district intact! This is based on Birch Plan. https://districtr.org/plan/71412
Foppe VanderZwaag
It's totally unreasonable to put Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo into one district.
Teri Weingarden
The Southeast Michigan map needs to be redone, I cannot believe any residents of the area will support this map. Troy and Rochester are clearly Oakland County cities with large Indian and Asian communities.
Peter Adair
Was anyone consulted with prior to these maps being released? Just looking at my city, why are we tied a huge Macomb county region and not Oakland? Rochester hills is split from Oakland Township? Really, was anyone consulted how closely this area is related? Were school district boundaries reviewed for cohesion?
Yousif
Here is an alternate version of the Birch map that I include Mount Clemens: https://districtr.org/plan/70832. This map is also good for the Chaldean community. Please use a similar district 6 to either https://districtr.org/plan/69597 or https://districtr.org/plan/70832 to give Chaldeans a voice! Thank you commissioners! :)
Oscar Castaneda
Why is that there is a republican majority in a democratic state?
Yousif
Please use a map similar to this one: https://districtr.org/plan/70686. I based this map on Mrs. Rebecca Szetela's Birch map. Please give Chaldean community a voice in one district! Include cities of Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Twp, Troy, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights and Shelby Twp together. That's were most of the Chaldean community are. Thank you commissioners for listening!
Stephen Stackable
tephen Stackable As an independent voter, this is a plan for Midland city and Midland county that I cannot support. Midland city and county should be in the same district. The city and county have the same flood issues and similar interests with the counties to the north and west.
Stephen Sadlier
Troy & Rochester are similar communities and because of our large Asian community we are connected to Oakland County cities to the south & west. Not Macomb County.
Yousif Yousif
Please do not disenfranchise the Chaldean people. Please use district 6 similar to this: https://districtr.org/plan/69597. Thank you commissioners.
Bonnie VanKeersbilck
The Southeastern Michigan map needs a lot of work. Troy and Rochester are Oakland county communities with large Indian and Asian communities.
Jesse Chvojka
Troy and Rochester should not be lumped into a district with Macomb county. These two communities in particular are a vital part of Oakland County and its economy and should be included with other communities in that county.
Kevin Grimm
(continued comment) But Troy and Rochester/Rochester Hills are also connected to communities to the west and south far more strongly than to the east. Cutting them off from their Oakland County neighbors and pushing them into a district dominated by Macomb County simply makes no sense.
Kevin Grimm
This map separates strongly connected communities of interest. For example, Troy and Rochester/ Rochester Hills are similar communities that interact and blend with each other.
Richard E. Wochoski
Moving Troy into Macomb County would not be advisable. The diversity of Troy stands out against the homogeneity of Macomb County in many ways. We would not like the many cultures of Troy to be subsumed into Macomb County's sameness.
Eric John McGrath
The map puts Troy and Rochester votes into Macomb county, largely silencing our votes. This is not appropriate. Recommend Troy, at least, be placed in district with Royal Oak, Berkley, etc.
Tina Catron
This Map is completely unbalanced for Troy - you cannot combine Oakland and Macomb Counties in this way.
Ty Erwin
I agree with some of the other writers on this district. I think pairing Downriver Wayne communities with Washtenaw is a terrible pairing. It would seem better to pair Downriver Wayne with Monroe and then move west of Monroe.
Theresa DeVries
As a former resident of Grand Rapids and now a 25 year resident of Kalamazoo, I am shocked at the proposed redistricting map. What I see is four small pieces out of four counties sliced and diced together as well as two metro districts stretched together--even though they are a full hour apart! How can I interpret this as anything other than gerrymandering to favor the Democrats? As a Kalamazoo resident, I do not want Kalamazoo represented with Grand Rapids. This is not fair representation!
Yousif Yousif
Updated https://districtr.org/plan/69597. Fixed some Municipality boundaries. Max deviation is 0.09% the lowest. Asian community is at 10.8%, the highest compared to the 4 proposed maps. I implore commissioners to consider Chaldean community a voice in one district. Thank you commissioners for your hard work! :)
Thomas Mikulski
Not sure why anyone would think it's a good idea to cut Troy and Rochester Hills off from Bloomfield and the rest of Oakland County. These two communities have large Indian and Asian communities that would get diluted if grouped with communities to the east - with which they have weak ties culturally and economically. Truly, it's a terrible design.
Yousif Yousif
Updated: https://districtr.org/plan/69582. Took Municipality lines into account. Please give a Chaldeans a voice! We have been in MI for 100+ years now and have contributed to the great state of MI. Chaldeans own 25,000+ businesses in MI. Give us our one district so we can have a voice please! Thank you commissioners!
Yousif Yousif
https://districtr.org/plan/69495. I updated the map here with the lowest population deviation out of the 4 proposed maps.
Yousif Yousif
Please look at this map. https://districtr.org/plan/69480. I based it on Mr. Anthony Eid's Juniper map. This one gives Chaldeans a voice in suburbs of Detroit. We are around 80,000-100,000 in my proposed district 6 of the map I shared. It also gives Asians 10.8% population share, the highest out of the 4 proposed maps. In District 3 it gives blacks 22.8% which is the highest of District 3 out of the 4 proposed maps. Please consider giving Chaldeans a voice in one district. Thank you commissioners for your hard work!
Debbie Rosenman
The Southeast Michigan map needs a lot of work, nobody who lives here would think this is good. Troy and Rochester are clearly Oakland County cities with large Indian and Asian communities.
Naomi Ludman
There seems to be an assumption that all the border counties have similar issues whether they are in west Michigan or East Michigan. This is simply not true!! We in Southwest Michigan are part of WEST Michigan; our interests, economies, history, education, economy, demographics--are different than those in the eastern part of the state. As part of West Michigan, we drive to the west and to the North for the routine of our daily lives --and weekend recreation. Please cut this district in two vertically and let West and East have their separate representation.
Diane Cloutier
Calhoun County’s cultural, social and financial interests reside along the I94 corridor. We have very little in common with the southern counties. This is a bad map
John Michael Elsen
This map does not reflect the values of Midland. We must be focused on ESG, which mean the communities to the North and West are more aligned with our interests.
Debora Smythe
I DO NOT agree with combining Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. I have lived in both places. They are completely different. It is evident what the REAL purpose of this is. The majority of Republicans and Independents and one-third of Democrats do NOT believe Biden won (mainly due to the refusal to do a FORENSIC audit - if there is nothing to hide DO the forensic audit). Why would you further erode election integrity by skewing the map to guarantee a one-party rule for the future? And why are the Democrats wholeheartedly in favor of combining the two? Think before you act!
Nancy Tuohy
I absolutely will not approve this setup of combining Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. These are two different cities. Everywhere you go, when someone is asking you where you are from, I would say from grand rapids, not Kalamazoo. There is an ulterior motive to combine these two cities. I am 100% against this! Nancy
Dorothy Munson
Copy of my in-person testimony 10/22. I’m Dorothy Munson, a lifelong resident of Grand Rapids, representing Proactive, a non-partisan, non-profit organization supporting underserved folks. We strongly advocated for prop 2. We are depending on you to make sure the maps of west Michigan are fair and they need work to do so. The best congressional map is Apple 201 with Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo in District 4. It best represents minority populations in West Michigan with 31% being non-white. They need representation in Washington. It has significant commonality including being leaders in education, healthcare and research. I have made more detailed comments on the map. Please understand that we are truly depending on you to protect partisan fairness. We know this process is most difficult. Better than what we have now is not good enough. We look to you to be our heros in getting this right and following the constitution to finally give everyone fair representation. Thank you!
Theresa Emshwiller
Nothing about this map makes any sense. You're splitting up whole communities and pitting them against each other. Grand Rapids with Kalamazoo? Splitting Grand Rapids into what, 3 different districts? We have a hard enough time getting proper representation without this outright gerrymandering. The STATED purpose of Prop 2 was to give power to the people to draw their lines, NOT to give power to the Democratic party to gerrymander so outrageously. I did not vote for this proposal because this is exactly what I knew would happen. Keep the major cities together as the center of their own communities and counties. Splitting up Ottawa, Muskegon, Kent and Kalamazoo so ridiculously makes NO SENSE. Not to mention my own Newaygo County getting lost in such a huge district. We'll never see our representative. This is 100% intentional and backhanded.
Robert Allen Ponstein
I live in Rockford, I go to Grand RApids frequently but hardly ever go to Kalamazoo....These maps make no sense you are putting rural areas with urban. and expecting them to be compatabile and share interest. ..Gr should be a separate district with kentwood and Egr another
karla wagner
Please keep Kent County whole! Do not tie city of Grand RApids with Muskegon or Kalamazoo!! Two totally different areas, also too much rural/suburban inbetween....
Connie D Crumpton-Armijo
Do NOT break up the old District 3. It has worked just fine in the past. Quit trying to make every district DEMOCRAT.
Anna Kamp
I grew up and lived for 20 years in Kalamazoo and moved to Grand Rapids 15 years ago. These are two ENTIRELY DIFFERENT communities of interest, and they should not be lumped together. Keep Kent County whole.
Adam Palasek
As a Resident of the Grand Rapids Area I strongly object to the fusion of Grand Rapids with Kalamazoo for congressional representation. Grand Rapids is the second Largest City in Michigan whose metropolitan area with a population of approximately 1 million people is more than large enough to have undivided representation in Congress. Combining the dissimilar and competing cities of Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids into one district would do a grave disservice to both of these cities' distinct interests.
William Ryskamp
Please do NOT split up Ottawa County. I support map 201. Ottawa County is a very unique county and should be kept the same. It makes no sense to be lumped with Grand Rapids or any other area.
John Paul Waffle
I just wanted to say I was born in Grand Rapids. I raised my daughter in Grand Rapids. I've worked most of my jobs in Grand Rapids. I will more than likely die in Grand Rapids. I don't like the idea of adding Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids! They have their own airport, businesses, communities and, just like Grand Rapids, their own problems. Each has their own Chamber of Commerce and they shouldn't be grouped together as is proposed. Our maps should better reflect it's people, by keeping each city whole and separate from each other! I am proud of being from Grand Rapids and would like these maps to reflect my city from the rest.
Karen J Ryskamp
I strongly support leaving the Map 201 as it is. We do not want the district to change the map!! Please leave it as is. Thank you, Karen
Kathy M Welsh
I thought the purpose of this commission was to district maps that kept our communities together and not spit us up into weird portions that didn't make sense! This map goes from Walker to south of Vicksburg, which none of these cities have anything in common. The city of Grand Rapids has nothing in common with Kalamazoo, even though they are located in Michigan. In terms of distance, to get from one end of proposed 4 to the other would take over 2 hours! Each city needs to be the center of it's own county!
Yousif
I drafted a district maps that represents the Chaldean community. We stretch from Macomb all the way to the outskirts of Wixom! We are around 160,000 people in Metro detroit area alone and growing! Please use either district map: https://districtr.org/plan/68270 or https://districtr.org/plan/68275. Please do not dilute our Chaldean voices! We have lived and contributed to MI for over 100 years! Please give a voice! We are a community of interest! Thank you commissioners!
Mary Schulte
Do not lump Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. These are two different cities, different economies, concerns and lumping them together will eliminate voices that need to be heard.
Ryan Sytsma
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are very different and not connected. They should be separate districts.
STEVEN M SACHA
Grand Rapids absolutely should NOT be combined with Kalamazoo, there are far too many differences between the cities, the people, the economies, the geographic locations, the political atmosphere and philosophies. I demand this proposal be rejected.
Steve Milito
We are opposed to the combining of Grand Rapids with Kalamazoo regarding Congressional redistricting. These are two very different communities and must remain seperate.
Daniel Schellenberg
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are not common interest areas. They two entirely different communities.
Michelle Schellenberg
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are 2 entirely different communities. The Apple map makes no sense to put them together as a district of interest.
Timothy
Please Keep Kent County intact. Objective Number 1 is to keep Communities of Interest whole. This map is in clear opposition to the objective. Grand Rapids and Kent County should remain whole and not be tied to Kalamazoo. You Represent the Citizens of Michigan You Represent Fairness You Represent Transparency You Do Not Represent any Political Party You Represent Diversity. Please listen to the Citizens and KEEP KENT COUNTY WHOLE. Thank you!
Ann VanZalen
It's frustrating to see so many suggestions to split Ottawa County into different districts. Holland should not be combined with Kalamazoo but rather with Grand Haven and Muskegon County and Allegan County - the lakeshore region with similar manufacturing, tourism and agricultural needs. The "Apple" map 201 and the Lang map call for this cohesive, logical approach. Please give your support to either of them!
Timothy Koschmann
By placing most of Muskegon CTY into a cluster with the down lakeshore communities, APPLE isolates the city of Muskegon from the rest of the Muskegon River watershed. The users and residents of this watershed constitute a natural community of interest.
Gina Hadley
Pushing Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids together is the very opposite of the intention to prevent gerrymandering. The Grand Rapids and surrounding areas i.e., Cascade, etc is more than large enough to support the population requirement of a District, is of a reasonable map plan rather than scything north to south in an awkward division cutting through counties rather than encompassing counties. This divides each communities economic and educational interests and regional development. Thank you.
Sam
Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids should not be put together in the same district while separating those cities from the rest of their county. Kalamazoo belongs in Kalamazoo County, and with Southwest Michigan, Grand Rapids belongs in Kent County. Having the people of Kalamazoo County be divided and represented by two different representatives makes no sense. Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids are completely different communities of interest. This would be a clear example of a gerrymandered district that favors one political party over another.
Nomi Joyrich
Troy and Rochester Hills are similar communities and belong together in Oakland County to maintain the Asian communities of interest.
Lynette Timmer
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo communities should not be combined in this way. This re-districting is a deliberate attempt to combine the population centers while neglecting the rural communities around the cities.
Jeffrey Timmer
Please keep Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids as separate districts. Other than political motivations, it makes no sense to stretch this district in such a way that these two populations are combined.
Dayne Hoffman
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are different communities of interest by all definitions. The two communities have differing cultural, historical, and economic interests. Having one narrow district along the 131 corridor does not accurately represent any community in the proposed district.
Shana Shroll
This map is an enormous disservice to a large portion of the residents of Kent County. Under this scheme, the majority of Grand Rapids suburbs are lumped in with far-flung regions of Michigan all the way to Roscommon. How is it protecting a community of interest to separate the suburbs of Michigan's second largest city from its urban core? Clearly the goal of this map is not to protect any interest outside of political ones - the very opposite of the supposed intent of this commission. Please consider realigning this map to keep Kent County as intact as possible.
Deborah Bragenzer
I do not support the "Apple" district map. Keep Kent county as one congressional district with East Grand Rapids and Kentwood. We share a community of interest. We do not share a community of interest with Kalamazoo and other outside areas.
Jenna Bragenzer
I do not support the "Apple" district map. Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo do not have the same needs or have enough in common to be grouped together. Keep Kent County whole with East Grand Rapids and Kentwood.
Anna Timmer
This map seeks to do the opposite of the stated goal of Prop 2, which was passed because of its promise to end gerrymandering. This creates a strange, sliced up district that stretches an hour south to tie two completely different metro areas together, when there is plenty of population around GR to reach the needed quota. I can only assume this was done to favor one party over another. These two separate regions are very different, and deserve to have their own representation in their own geographical area. We all deserve reasonably shaped districts, and thats what we voted for.
Nicole Bragenzer
I do not support the "Apple" district map. Kent County should be kept whole within one congressional district. The city of Grand Rapids should be kept whole within one Senate district with the neighboring communities of East Grand Rapids and Kentwood. Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo have no common or shared interests!
Angela Marie DeLing
It seems inappropriate for Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo to be in the same district. The only thing. The cities have in common that they happen to be larger cities. They have different issues of interest. Grand Rapids is a truly urban area. Kalamazoo is built around a college. Two different issues to deal with.
James W. TenHaaf
This commission was formed to end gerrymandering. Putting Grand Rapids in a district with far away Kalamazoo is nothing more than a gerrymander to ensure a Democrat is elected in the only way possible in West Michigan.
jane scott
This is a terrible map and a dis-service to the residents of Midland City and the county of Midland. Midland and Flint have NOTHING in common to warrant grouping them together in a congressional district. Midland County should remain whole including the city of Midland and be combined with our true community of interest in our watershed neighboring counties. The project to re-build the watershed region should be paramount in the consideration of this commission regarding this region. Hundreds of millions of dollars and several years will be required to complete this process. We need focused representation to see this thru well.
Kim Galdes
As residents of Kentwood, we want to remain within Kent County, and keep it whole with 1 congressional district. We do not want to be combined with Kalamazoo which is a different city that likely has different areas of interest. Combining Kentwood with EGR and Grand Rapids makes sense as a 1 Senate district because we are communities of interest.
Paul Galdes
I am not in favor of combining Grand Rapids, Kentwood and Kalamazoo. We are residents of Kentwood and should be combined with our adjoining City of Grand Rapids and E Grand rapids but not with Kalamazoo which is a completely separate community with different and sometimes competing interests.
Marla Imhoff
Thank you for receiving my comment which echoes the voices of many across Ottawa County. My support, our support, is in favor of the proposed map #201, the only map that makes sense for maintaining the integrity, and cohesiveness of our wonderful county. As a lack of fair representation of West Michigan within the MICRC is duly noted, I want to state clearly the fact that the remaining proposed maps that would divide many of our communities is unfavorable to the commonality of the Community of Interest we currently share in Ottawa County. As commented on before, these homogeneous interests touch us within Cultural, Community, and Economic Identifiers, as well as shared public services that have created strong bonds contributing to our growth and stability in the state of Michigan. We call you to your task of keeping communities together. As residents of this county, currently joined as one congressional district, we do not want that to change, and appeal to your sensibilities and responsibility to hear and represent us well in these considerations, which will impact those of us who have chosen Ottawa County as our home for many years to come. Thank you.
Steven Davidson
I oppose this proposed map. Kent and Ottawa counties should remain entirely in one district. This division splits Community of Interest of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. In addition it splits multiple governmental services and smaller communities of interest, including MANY school districts. Splitting these communities in this way for any reason other than population (or the VRA) is a blatant violation of the Michigan Constitution. And could also be considered Gerrymandering. Redistricting should be conducted with the last 10 years of district maps available and recognized Communities of Interest shown, not just a political demographics map.
Anne Wallin
I much prefer maps which combine at least the towns of Midland/Saginaw/Bay City in the same district. Many people live in one city and work in a different one. As municipalities with a industrial bases, we have many similar interests from public policy. There is more logic to urban versus rural interests when creating a COI. This puts Midland in a largely rural district which makes little sense from a public policy perspective. I also urge you to keep districts competitive from a political party perspective if feasible. Thank you for your work.
Lyle Vogler
I do not support this plan. The metropolitan regions of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo form two completely different communities of interest. The two cities also have different economic interests. Please keep Kent County whole within one congressional district.
Susan L Jordan
I live in Plainfield Township in the Northview School District. We are very close to Grand Rapids but also to Rockford. The Community of Interest should include people IN northeastern Grand Rapids and Adjacent! Many people in Plainfield Township shop or work in the city of Grand Rapids. We pay (partial) income tax. We have much more of a state in what happens in the City of GR than do people quite south of Grand Rapids like Kentwood, Cutlerville, Kalamazoo, etc.
Emerson Silvernail
I am opposed to the creation of a joint Grand Rapids - Kalamazoo district as we are fundamentally distinct communities of interest due to our differing - sometimes competing - needs and interests.
April Davidson
I am from Grand Rapids. My community of interests doesn't have anything to do with Kalamazoo or Midland. Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids are their own metropolises and must be kept separate. Midland also doesn't have anything to do with my community of interest as it is on the other side of the state and also isn't apart of Kent county in any way. In this map, you have Kent County split into two parts. The bottom half with Kalamazoo County and the top half of Kent County connected to Midland. How does a country town relate to a metropolis in Grand Rapids? It doesn’t. When asked where we are from, we say Grand Rapids if from Kent County, not Midland as it’s on the other side of the state, and not Kalamazoo as Kalamazoo County is an hour and half south of Kent County, making it no part of Kent Counties community of Interests. Kent and Kalamazoo Counties have their own transportation systems within their own counties, their own school districts, their own infrastructure planning and economic structures. Kent County (Metro 6) needs to stay together as one district, not split up. Kent County is an integrated population and should stay as such. In rural Michigan, which includes the areas of Kent and Ottawa County outside of larger cities of Grand Haven, Holland and the 6 municipalities in Kent County, the County level is how we identify our communities. Communities of Interest are ranked higher that partisan fairness - and definitely higher than the partisan gerrymandering the commission did in the final weeks of drafting these maps. Breaking up Kent and Ottawa Counties into multiple districts prove you haven't listened to the voices from West Michigan.
Germaine Orville Kooiman
I strongly oppose combining the cities of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo in the Apple map. Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are very distinct and have little commonality (other than they both are democrat strongholds surrounded by Republican suburban and rural communities
Sean C Sperling
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are two distinct communities, and creating a map where they are unnaturally blended into one District doesn't make sense, and is contrary to the purpose of this exercise.
Tom McKelvey
I've lived in Kentwood for 20 years and I worked in Allegan for 14 years. Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids are extremely different communities of interest. Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas of Wyoming, Kentwood, Jenison, Ada, Cascade, etc. is a true representation of a "community of interest" if that is the goal.
Fred Walburn
I am completely opposed to the proposal to lump Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo together. It makes no logical sense. Both communities share very little in common. District 9 looks like a mess also.
Susan McKee
PLEASE do NOT split Lyndon Township into 2 congressional districts. We are a small township, population-wise and this would require two different elections, costing lots of extra money. It is mostly state land with very few residents.
Lisa
It seems since there are more democrats in Michigan these maps should lean toward democrats having more representation than republicans.
Jennifer Baker
I do not support this proposed map. I live in Grand Rapids, and I absolutely do not understand how my area can be in the same "community of interest" as Kalamazoo. I think even the Wayland area is a reach. I feel like it'd be more appropriate to include all of Kent County in one district, and all of Kalamazoo in another. These are two very separate communities who have very little in common. I'd like to believe this was simply an oversight, and not politically motivated. Thank you.
Daniel R DeHoek
In a state with twelve districts, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo should not be in the same district. Two distinct and separate communities. This map looks like the kind of gerrymandered product this committee was created to avoid.
Rick Kimball
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are two different communities with unique interests and should NOT be combined as one.
ANNE M ENGLAND
I strongly disagree with combining Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. I work in both cities and they are completely separate with distinct and different characteristics, populations and needs separated by several other communities and many miles between them. Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo each need to be represented separately.
Jocelyne Romero
After comparing it to the other maps, although this has 73% of the white population it is the one that has lowest white population. It is the map with lines drawn that encompasses 23% of the black and brown communities.
Martin Brown
This map looks to be as "gerrymandered" as any map that has previously existed. Putting the whole Lake Michigan shore from Muskegon to the Indiana border makes no sense, nor does squeezing a district from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. By this sort of "gerrymandering," the Commission is splitting up cohesive communities that have common/shared interests and trying to diffuse those communities to accomplish a Democratic political outcome.
Martin Hoffmeister
I am opposed to the change as written
gayle becker
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo need to be two distinct districts. Each requires representation equally
Jocelyne Romero
We do not believe this map was drawn in the best interests of either communities. Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids have different populations with different interests. There are more common populations and interests to the East and West of this map lines that would align much better than going further South. Additionally, the way the map is set up now district 4 is made up of 73% white. There is no chance for communities of color to have a significant voice.
Scott Cole
Ottawa county should stay intact as a voting district. These changes are preposterous and offensive.
Marleen G
Do not lump Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo together. Different areas, completely different needs.
James R Foley Jr
I most vociferously object. Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are two VERY distinct districts that require separate representation to adequately voice concerns of their constituents.
Andy Helmboldt
This, and all three other currently proposed maps, lump Battle Creek and Calhoun County together with the southern tier of counties with whom we share very little. As previously commented and testified to, our strongest COI lies with Kalamazoo along the I-94 Corridor. There are other maps available that honor this COI. Please consider those instead.
Doug Koopman
There are a lot of ways to keep both Ottawa and Kent Counties together. One way I mapped out on the districtr website, number 51955. Just really stop trying to insult the rural voters who happen to live between on one side, Grand Rapids and Muskegon and, on the other side, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. They deserve more than to be the thinly sliced rural sausage on a big urban-interest sandwich.
Victor Cerbins
Keep Ottawa county as it is today, no to any redistricting that splits the county into areas that are not homogeneous.
Brenda L Lewis
I am against these changes. I do not believe Berrien County should be split up!
Clayton David deJong
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are definitely different communities with distinctly different interests and should be kept separate.
Cori Dailey
I oppose this proposed map. Kalamazoo should not be consolidated with Grand Rapids (Kent). Ottawa County should remain in tact and should not be "piece-mealed" into other districts.
Olivia Hickey
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo should be kept as two different districts. Each community is extremely diverse and have extremely different communities. The economy, educational goals, and community goals are different in these two areas. Being in Grand Rapids, I understand that we have different needs and interests than those who live in Kalamazoo. Lumping these districts would be a clear overstep and mistake in meeting all community members' needs.
Gavyn
I stand in opposition to this proposed map. Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo have extremely different needs and interests so to group them into together would be a disservice to members of both communities.
Foppe VanderZwaag
Keep Kent County and Ottawa County separate, as they each have their own interests to be represented.
Travis M
The current map proposal splits Grand Rapids Metropolitan area into two districts, while lumping part of it together with Kalamazoo. When looking at similar communities of interest, the Grand Rapids area should be kept together in the same district to maintain standardization across the city/metropolitan area. Kalamazoo, on the other hand, has a very different economy, population, and community needs than Grand Rapids.
Foppe VanderZwaag
Keep Kent County and Ottawa County separate, as they each have their own interests to be represented.
Foppe VanderZwaag
Keep Kent County and Ottawa County separate. They each have their own interests to be represented.
Foppe VanderZwaag
Keep Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo separate. They have a right to their own representation.
KM
I vehemently disagree with this map. Kent County should be kept whole within one congressional district. I'm from Kent County and proudly say I'm from Grand Rapids, not Kalamazoo. This map breaks up many communities of interest, including a number of school districts. Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo should be focal economies of their own districts. We that live here in Kent County know our districts, so please listen to us. Breaking up Kent County is evident that you have not listened to our voices. In addition, take into consideration that West Michigan has no one representing US on the commission. Not one person. Please don't split communities of interest in the name of partisanship. #keepkentcountywhole
Cris Birdsong
Community of Interest? Hardly! I know fellow seniors who live in Grand Rapids AND HAVE NEVER BEEN TO KALAMAZOO! They are both rather self-sufficient and have little in common except the obvious sought-after density of voting democrats. The City of Grand Rapids is, in most ways that matter to residents' everyday lives, one-and-the-same with Kentwood, East Grand Rapids, GR Township and the tightly bunched cities sharing SCHOOL DISTRICTS (which truly ARE Communities of Interest - given that folks seek to buy homes in specific School Districts so that the unique needs of their families can be met.) The Apple plan needs to fall off the tree and rot.
Drew Beckman
I appreciate that this map keeps the city of Sterling Heights whole, and creates a competitive district here. However, the overall partisan fairness of this map clearly favors the Republican party. Using data from the 2018 AG race, the Democrats would have won 52% of the vote but still won fewer seats in Congress. Please correct this and this map may be viable.
Eileen McNeil
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are two distinctly different communities of interest -- and as such I would hope you would follow the multiple requests/comments from residents in both regions that they should be in in two SEPARATE Congressional seats as they are currently and have been throughout history.
Joel Freeman
The gerrymandering necessary to draw the Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo district flies in the face of Communities of Interest. I have lived in both Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, and the two communities are clearly distinct. Individuals in these cities and surrounding townships say "I'm from Kalamazoo" or "I'm from Grand Rapids", not "I'm from the cities and townships that border US 131." There is no such Community of Interest. Rather, Grand Rapids has its own metropolitan Community of Interest which is approximately the size of a congressional district, and carving up this community for any reason other than population (or the VRA) is a blatant violation of the Michigan Constitution. In EVERY Senate map submitted for public comment, the City of Rockford was specifically included with the City of Grand Rapids because the Commission recognized this Community of Interest, yet in this map, the Grand Rapids metro Community of Interest is severed, just as Kalamazoo and Portage and their surrounding communities are severed from their Community of Interest. As a result, this Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo district unnecessarily splits multiple governmental services and smaller communities of interest, including MANY school districts.
Bill Witte
I am opposed to this map. The cities of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are separate communities of interest and contain their own metropolitan regions that under this map are divided from one another. Please keep the cities of Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids in separate congressional districts.
Katharine Pierce
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are two different areas and should not be represented together in one lump.
Jason Gillikin
I am very much opposed to any map that joins Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo into a single Congressional district. As a long-term resident of Kent County who graduated from Western Michigan University, I know first-hand that these areas have distinct voices, cultures, and attitudes. Kent County and Kalamazoo County are distinct communities of interest. Kalamazoo County is really the gateway to lower SW Michigan via the I-94 corridor; Kent County is the gateway to the state's middle west and the lakeshore. The "Apple" plan, to me, disregards the significant cultural an infrastructural differences between these two regions in what I can only infer is a transparently partisan attempt to gerrymander a safe Democratic seat in a part of the state where historically Democrats cannot win US House seats. I am firmly opposed to the Apple plan and encourage its swift rejection.
Rob VerHeulen
A divided Kent County will weaken the transportation, environmental, and infrastructure planning and coordination efforts in this major metropolitan area of Michigan.
Rob VerHeulen
Kent County with a population of over 675,000 people is an integrated unit and should remain so. Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are totally different economic regions with separate and distinct public universities (Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University), and separate economic and transportation and infrastructure planning organizations. Residents of Kent County consider Kalamazoo a totally distinct area of Michigan. Please revise the map to keep Kent County intact.
Mary Hockin
It is my hope that Ottawa county will stay together. I support map 201.
Sandy
I encourage the Commission to please keep Kent County whole within one Congressional District. The current map for Kent County proposed under the "Apple Plan" divides the Grand Rapids metro 6 region into two seperate congressional districts, tying Grand Rapids into a congressional district with Kalamazoo. Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo form two different communities of interest and should be within their own respective districts. Please reconfigure your map to keep Kent County whole within one congressional district.
Richard Houskamp
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are unique communities that each have their own interests, concerns, and needs for the citizens that live within them. Each is large enough to be the central magnet and the motive force for a district. Attempting to merge them into a single Congressional district is a mistake that will result in poor representation for both communities.
Michele Muir
District 9 needs to stay intact. Ottawa, Allegan, and Muskegon Counties have similar economies that rely on the lake, have interconnected manufacturing sectors, and significant agricultural ties that include fruits, vegetables, and greenhouse flora. This is a community of interest. This constant redistricting is not for the people, but for the power. WE THE PEOPLE do not consent.
Dave Van Haitsma
when we voted on this a few years ago this was before the pandemic.We now know we do NOT want this township split up
Dave Van Haitsma
please do NOT spit up Ottawa and lump this with G.R in anyway !
jason rourk
As a citizen of Kent county with 650,000 people roughly I feel as though we should maintain our district together in order to represent our metropolitan interest. Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids are separate metro areas and should be represented to reflect separately. I personally work in Grand Rapids and live in Kent county. I feel a connection to the Grand Rapids market when I moved our family here and set up for this area.
Gerard Sullivan
I am opposed to this 4th Congressional District map. The cities of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are two vastly different communities of interest. These two areas form different metropolitan regions that should each be the anchor for their own respective congressional district. The two cities also have competing economic interests. Under this plan, a large portion of the Grand Rapids metropolitan region is tied into a congressional district that is drawn all the way to Midland County. I strongly urge the Commission to reject this plan and to keep Kent County whole within one Congressional District.
Dan Holowicki
The Downriver communities are split into two districts, one includes part of Detroit, the other extends west to Grass Lake. The Downriver communities of Melvindale in the north to Flat Rock in the south have nothing in common with Detroit or even west of Romulus. Totally bad idea for Downriver.
Max Hornick
A Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo district makes no sense. Other than being urban, the two communities have nothing in common. A Battle Creek/Kalamazoo district would be a far more compelling urban community of interest.
Douglas Floto
District 10 is a WTF moment for me. This is seriously a non-starter for COIs and nonpartisanship. Get serious!
Shelley Lake
I have NOTHING in common with Sterling Heights and the east side of Troy currently is mostly Democratic & Sterling Heights would vote for Trump today if asked. Bad decision made on this mapping.
Christine Kosmowski
As I stated on other similar versions for District 8, I strongly disapprove of any of the map versions that place Battle Creek with southern, rural counties. It has nothing in common with them and has stronger ties with Kalamazoo along the I-94 corridor, which includes economic, health, social, environmental, and educational interests. Please do not consider this or other versions that place Battle Creek with areas of little common interest. This worse than our current district of being included with Grand Rapids. The Congressional Map submitted by the Promote the Vote Coalition should be considered because it better represents how Calhoun County fits into the state economy.
Eric Ash
These maps still tilt Republican, in a state that tends to lean Democratic in its voting. The party that gets more votes should have more seats. Please work to correct the partisan bias.
MICHELLE MORMUL
Warren and Centerline should be with Oakland and Macomb counties.
Kathleen So
There is absolutely zero community of interest between Battle Creek/Calhoun County and Monroe and whatever other counties are south of Detroit. (I'm not even sure what counties they are.) There are no commonalities whatsoever. Any areas west of Hillsdale will be totally diluted and ignored in favor of Detroit-area communities. This map is totally unacceptable. (A side question: why does each of the four maps throw Calhoun County in with the Detroit area?)
Andrea Johanson
This seems an odd split. Northville and Novi have a lot more in common with Canton and Plymouth and Farmington Hills along the 696 Corridor than they do with Pontiac and Auburn Hills. Oakland County has 20% of the state's GDP and we deserve fair representation in Landing and Washington.
Scott Weston Rose
There is no reason to overlap 3 counties with 1 district here. Please minimize county cross overs. Also, this will keep the African American representation from being lost. Here is my proposal: https://districtr.org/plan/47883
Lisa
This state has more democrats than republicans so this map should be 7 dems 6 republicans.
Joe Fresard
Needlessly separates COI's and breaks municipal boundaries
Judy Daubenmier
I am glad that Livingston County is included with Ingham County in the 5th Congressional District in this map. But the rest of the map falls short. It fails the test of being fair to voters of all the political parties. Your consultant has told you that Michigan leans Democratic, yet your map leans toward Republicans. How can that be fair? Michigan voters went to a lot of trouble and expense to set up your commission and hire you with the expectation that we would get rid of the Republican gerrymandered maps we have lived under for decades. But you have delivered a slightly watered-down version of the same old thing. That's not what you were hired to do. Please finish the job. You've put in a lot of time and effort. With just a little more work, you can transform these maps from another Republican gerrymander to a real success story for citizen involvement. Please show the public that citizen involvement works or the public will forever be cynical about your work.
Charles L. Henry
Huron Co., at the tip of the Thumb, should be in a District with Bay/Saginaw Co. Not only do residents depend on Bay/Saginaw for hospital care, entertainment, shopping, recreation, etc., the area consumes news coverage from the Bay City/Saginaw media market. Put Huron Co back with Bay/Saginaw as it was a decade ago.
Linda Weaver
I disagree with parts of this map. Midland should be included and the thumb counties excluded. Midland has much more in common with Bay City and Midland including a manufacturing base vs the farming/rural communities to the east.
Jared Boot
Your maps unfairly benefit Republicans. Your job isn’t done until you fix that.
Ethyl M Rivera
This map of District 10 is ridiculous. An example of gerrymandering, which is what the Commission is supposed to eliminate. White Lake has nothing in common with Port Austin and other north/northeastern areas? Districts should have some semblance of continuity within the boundaries. Please redo. There are options.
James Green
This maps really makes warrens vote pointless for any congressional seats.
Brian Callihan
Breaking up the city of Midland from the surrounding areas (like Larkin Township), and adding Midland to other urban areas significantly dilutes the voice of the greater Midland area. The majority of Midland County residents work, shop, worship, or recreate in the City of Midland every day or at least every week. While the City of Midland shares some of the urban features of cities like Bay City, Saginaw, and Flint, each city is very unique in their strengths, challenges, and opportunities. As others have mentioned, flood recovery is and will continue to be a cohesive area of interest until at least the next redistricting. So, if for nothing else, I would recommend that the upcoming redistricting map continue to align the city of Midland and the greater Midland area.
Thomas Cook
Many of these districts, such as the 4th and the 5th are not compact. The far eastern and western extremes of the 4th district share little in common
David P Brausch
All 4 proposals for the congressional maps stink. Midland county should remain intact even if it means relaxing the population targets a bit!
KAREN WEBER
This map looks to follow the strategy of keeping communities, townships, and cities together the best. For me that's how we live, so that's how we should vote and be represented.
Linda Pell
The Congressional Map submitted by Promote the Vote Coalition is a FAR BETTER representation of how Calhoun County fits into the state economy. This map does not reflect the economic, social, health, education or environmental connections or Community of Interest between Calhoun County (I-94 Corridor). The southern tier counties have synergies along an economic corridor along Route 12. and M-60. This significantly dilutes the interests of Calhoun County.
Dominic Restuccia
There is no need to fish hook this slice of Washtenaw
Dominic Restuccia
Stretching Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo makes no sense. This is a prime example of why the Princeton Gerrymandering Project has graded these maps as average or bad for geographic integrity. The commission should seek to adhere to all of parameters set out in the Michigan Constitution, but keeping counties, townships, and even neighborhoods together has been completely ignored and neglected. This district doesn't even add anything to COI or VRA compliance.
Heather Hunnell
This map would be better if all of Lyndon Township was included in one district or the other. That will be a confusing split for voters.
Dr. Adam Duberstein
District 1 doesn't fit together. While the grouping of Hazel Park, Madison Heights, and Warren makes sense, these cities have almost nothing in common with the Downriver communities they are grouped with. Hazel Park should also be grouped with Ferndale, as the two cities tend to share resources and similar interests, including some overlap in school districts.
Christopher Slat
While the western part of Monroe County is mostly rural and fits well with Lenawee/Branch County and the others in District 8, the City of Monroe and the area along I-75 is largely industrial/blue-collar, situated right between Detroit and Toledo, and has a lot more in common with Downriver. It should be grouped with other Downriver communities rather than Cass and Saint Joseph Counties. I suggest adding Monroe to District 7.
Karen Helsen
Dear Commissioners, I urge you to keep Ottawa County as shown in Map 201. Ottawa County, including Georgetown Township should remain intact.
Joel Rutherford
This map divides Warren and Eastpointe into a district that heavily favors Wayne County voters. This is unfair to Macomb County residents.
james phillip lorence
Dear Commissioners, I urge you to keep Ottawa County as shown in Map 201. Ottawa County, including Georgetown Township, is unique in character.
Scott McGraw
This is gerrymandering at its finest! Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids are not a community of interest. Why not keep Kent and Kalamazoo Counties whole? There is very like commonality between GR and Kalamazoo other than they are cities. Southwest Michigan was better served with the old 6th District. It was a compact community of interest as you directed people to consider. Carving up these counties is not the best way to serve its citizens. This is disgusting.
Phillip Reid
Please take North/Northwest Oakland County out of District 10, as drawn. This area has much in common with Genesee County (District 11) or District 3. We have nothing to do with the Thumb area. Tuscola County has much do with the Thumb area, and you continue to leave it out and in this map you have portions of Wayne County in District 3, at the expense of North Oakland County. Whoever keeps making these maps needs to rethink District 10, District 11 and/or District 3.
Zach Rudat
Please do no divide Clinton County into two different congressional districts. Doing so dilutes our voice, breaks our county COI, and makes it much harder for people to know who their congressman is. The 3 other plans keeps our county united.
Chris Andrews
The other Congressional maps do a better job of treating Ingham-Eaton-Clinton as the unified Lansing region that it is. Don't adopt this one.
Constance Hayter
I feel that Monroe County needs to be included with Downriver or Washtenaw County as so many of our residents work in those areas when compared with Lenawee County. With I-75 and US-23, we shop and work in Toledo, Ann Arbor, Canton, and Downriver. Please consider this when lumping us in with the more agricultural areas whom we have little in common.
Ian Millard
Much of the West Michigan Lake Shore area in Ottawa county is centered around small city life, their small suburbs, and the rural areas. This large area brings a balance in representation between all three groups. Dividing it into 3 districts risks the smaller cities outweighing their rural populations, and dilutes the representation of the area. It should remain as a single represnted district. Having grown up in the area and moving back I'd like to see it kept that way. Additionally having lived in Kent County for some time prior putting two cities together of totally different community cultures, and suburb life structures to make a district seems purposefully made to outweigh the rural needs of the county. I find it dubious at best for that to be done.
DW Bock
Do NOT split Ottawa County into separate districts. This would be extremely harmful for all citizens who live in or near Ottawa County.
Heidi Pronk
Please keep Ottawa County as one district. It does not make sense to divide one lakeshore county multiple ways. Thank you.
Randy C Miller
Please keep our county as one district so that our County can stay unified and united. Our strength as a County of morals, religion and education depends on this. Sincerely Randy & Andrea Miller
Lyndsey Coffey
Please keep Georgetown Township as part of Ottawa County. This district should stay the way it is! Please keep map 201 as it is. Thank you!
Louis E. Lotz
Map 201 makes sense to me. Don't split up Ottawa County.
Mary Jean Lotz
It is important to keep Ottawa County together in one district. Our most effective representation in Congress will be with one person who works for our whole county and understands the way township and county policies relate to national ones. Map 201 will do that.
Elizabeth Besteman
We like map 201 that keeps Ottawa county together including Georgetown Township. We would like to keep Ottawa County together and not split up in any way. Ottawa County has a variety of demographics and I think that is why our county works so well together. So ask that you keep Ottawa County together in the redristricting
Carl Spence
Do NOT break up Ottawa County into multiple districts. Keep Ottawa County together as shown in MAP 201. Thank you. Carl Spence
Elwood Tallman
Don't divide Ottawa county
Daniel Atwood
I support map 201 which does not split Ottawa County or separate our communities of interest. I am a resident of Georgetown township and we hold much more in common and multiple regards to Hudsonville, Zeeland and Holland than we do with Grand Rapids. With Ottawa County being the fastest growing county in the state I would hate to see its congressional so drastically altered. Please use map 201 to allow this blossoming community the chance to also blossom together at the congressional level. Thank you for your time and keep Georgetown Township with Ottawa County.
Laura Potgeter
Please keep Georgetown Township as part of Ottawa County. I am against redistributing. I agree with map 201
Rachel Atwood
I would like to voice my support for map 201 which keeps Ottawa County whole. This map keeps the communities together such as Georgetown/Hudonsville/Holland/Zeeland which share common interests. Georgetown, of which I am a resident, holds far more in common with these areas than with Grand Rapids. As a precinct delegate I speak on behalf of my community to fully support map 201. Thank you for your hard work and consideration in drawing up these maps. Please keep Ottawa County whole!
Denise Webb
PLEASE do not split Ottawa County. ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that happens to Ottawa county impacts the ENTIRE state of Michigan. Can you HONESTLY, and prayerfully, say splitting Ottawa county will be better for MICHIGAN. NOT! I will be praying for you and all the amazing residents of Ottawa county. Please pick the Map 201 option and keep Ottawa together as the strong community it is. Amen!
Stephen J. Redmond
I support map option 201 as the best choice for Ottawa County which includes Georgetown township. I t maintains the integrity of the area politically and economically. It makes no sense to split Ottawa County into 3 congressional districts and violates the very promise of the redistricting commission to maintain districts that fit together and work well.
Cindy Amante
Please keep Georgetown Township as part of Ottawa County in District 9.
Karen Walbridge
Please continue to keep Georgetown Township included in Ottawa County in District 9.
Linda D Potter
Ottawa County must remain whole. Keep Georgetown with Ottawa County. Ottawa County is composed of individuals of Dutch heritage with like interests and values and a focus on our natural resources such as Lake Michigan..
Jennifer Mapes
Please keep Georgetown Township part of Ottawa County!
Mary Kattreh
Please keep Ottawa County whole. Map 201 is an improvement, but Georgetown Township should have the same representation as the rest of Ottawa County. Thank you for your consideration.
Rhonda L Kempema
Please keep Georgetown Township connected to Ottawa County, Holland and the lakeshore. We are one community.
Patrick morgan
Please keep Georgetown Township connected to Ottawa County, Holland, and the lakeshore. It is not necessary to split this location to to more than one representative
Brian Allard
Please keep Georgetown Township connected to Ottawa County, Holland, and the lakeshore. We all have a connection to our values and beliefs. It is not necessary to split this location to to more than one representative.
FLOYD PATRICK
This seems like a mapping error. Why just one township here that divides Muskegon County?
FLOYD PATRICK
This eliminates communities that clearly associate with the Grand Rapids Metro Area. Specifically, I am referring to Plainfield Township, Alpine Township, Rockford, and Cannon Township were I reside. Kent County should be kept whole and potentially with counties of Berry, Montcalm, Ionia, or even Newaygo. Kent County needs to be fixed.
MARCIA BLACKSON
Keep all of Midland County together including the City of Midland with its west and north boundary counties. You have supposedly spent the last two weeks reading through all the reasons expressed by the citizens therefore hearing "all" the very good reasons to keep Midland County intact with our northwest neighbors. Not sure why we have to say it over and over again and then not see any corrective actions implemented. AGAIN you are pulling the City of Midland out of Midland County.
Lisa
This map is bad. Oakland County is in 5 of 13 districts; this is this excessive splitting of our area. I also seriously object to Western and Northern Oakland county being in a district with the Thumb, with whom they have no connection. Meanwhile, you have Northville in a district with Auburn Hills? This is absurd.
Catherine A Macomber
I cannot support this map. This map puts northern Bay county into a norther district. Northern Bay county hugs the shore of Saginaw Bay. We have flooding, power outage, and road impediment concerns that are similar to the rest of the Watershed. Our community of interest aligns with the southern half of Bay county. Do not split the county in this manner.
Aaron Majorana
Unfortunately, this map looks like the very definition of gerrymandering. It makes absolutely no sense to cut out Midland from the rest of Midland county. Likewise, it makes no sense to cut out Saginaw and Bay City from the rest of their counties. There is little no similarity in culture or people between the three cities and it's hard to imagine any "community of interest" between them. However, there is a far greater community between Midland, Midland County, and Gladwin Counties because they were all heavily affected by the flooding that occurred in 2020. By dividing up Midland, you are dividing up a unified voice for flood recovery. Keep Midland together with Midland and Gladwin counties.
Jennifer Majorana
Please do not carve out the city of Midland like a turkey to include it with Saginaw and Flint. This makes absolutely no sense! Midland belongs in westward-facing rural district and that is what the residents of Midland want and deserve. It appears that the Commissioners have a misunderstanding on the 2020 flooding. The City of Midland had major flooding along with the flooding in Sanford and in Gladwin County. That’s why it is so important that Midland County remain in its entirety and Gladwin County needs to remain in the same district to ensure continuity and a united effort in our recovery.
Anthony Scannell
Agree with Ned Staebler's comment 100% & would add that it seems an odd paring to group northern downriver cities in district with Macomb county communities
Mary J Quehl
Map 200, 201, 202 This is the worst representation of a map for the city of Midland. We would be seperated from Midland County, then put in with metropolatan areas such as Bay City, Saginaw and Flint. This is in direct conflict with our community of interest. My husband's cousins own over 1000 acres of land less than 5 miles north of me on the same road that i get on to to leave my neighborhood. We are a rural community and should not be separated from Midland County north of us as well as Isabella and Gratiot counties. We share nothing in common with Saginaw and Flint,, nor do they share anything in common with us. When I look at comments about people living in the larger surrounding metro cities like Bay City, Saginaw, and Flint but driving to Midland to work here, thus this makes us similar in community of interest, this is absolutely ridiculous. When I worked as a respiratory therapist for some of my career I did work in Bay City and Saginaw. However, I did not choose to live there because the larger metro cities did not fit my lifestyle and belief structures. That is why I drove there and did not live there. I mean no disrespect but in these regards, which is a part of community of interest, we have nothing in common with those metro cities. We have more in common with Midland County and the surrounding rural communities. I have stated previously that I know people that have suffered significant or total home loss and/or loss of their waterfront property due to the flood of 2020 that live in the city of Midland, Sanford, and Beaverton. This map will most likely prevent everyone from receiving the assistance to get things back by separating the representation. This map seems to be clearly in conflict with the guidelines set in place by the constitution in Michigan which the commissioners are supposed to go by. It clearly states that the commission shall abide by the following criteria in proposing and adopting each plan, in order of priority: (a) Districts shall be of equal population as mandated by the United States constitution, and shall comply with the voting rights act and other federal laws. (b) Districts shall be geographically contiguous. Island areas are considered to be contiguous by land to the county of which they are a part. (c) Districts shall reflect the state's diverse population and communities of interest. Communities of interest may include, but shall not be limited to, populations that share cultural or historical characteristics or economic interests. Communities of interest do not include relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates. (d) Districts shall not provide a disproportionate advantage to any political party. A disproportionate advantage to a political party shall be determined using accepted measures of partisan fairness. (e) Districts shall not favor or disfavor an incumbent elected official or a candidate. (f) Districts shall reflect consideration of county, city, and township boundaries. (g) Districts shall be reasonably compact. Please follow these guidelines and as a result this map should be eliminated and put us back to a map similar to seen in map #187 where the commissioners seemed to understand and put the map where it should be. Not sure what happened, but there seems to be a significant shift in the number of maps that put Midland back with Bay City, Saginaw, and Flint. This is very disconcerting and also questionable to me. I believe that the commissioners should look into both who is putting these maps in at this late hour, as well as what the motivation may be. Please do not use this map.
Justin Scott
I don't think Saginaw or Flint will adequately represent the farming community in Midland.
Dennis Quehl
I think it is absurd to separate the city of Midland from Midland County. If there is anyone in which we have more in common regarding just about any community of interest it would be Midland County. I totally disagree with the "like" comments seen in this portal that state; living in Bay City and working in Midland does not make you a resident of Midland. If you wanted to be totally connected to the community of interest of MIdland you would live in Midland. I had 6 staff at the medical center in Midland that lived in Essexville, Flint, north of Detroit, north of Lansing, Bridgeport ,... They chose to work in Midland but wanted to live elsewhere because it better fit their community of interest. The comment that I visit Midland a lot, and Midland shares more in common with Bay City, Saginaw, and Flint is preponderous because again, if they wanted Midland's community of interest atmosphere they would live here.. First of all these comments come from outside Midland and Midland County so how would they know; Midland is not similar to Saginaw and Flint in needs; Thirdly, regarding the point that someone stated that they visit Midland frequently does not mean that we share the same community of interest, and they would not know the relevence of this because they do not live in Midland. Visiting a city does not give you an understanding of the community of interest of that city. I travel to Birch Run quarterly, but that does not mean that Midland is similar to Birch Run in their community of interest. Lastly one comment states that we have more in common with these larger metro cities than Midland County. That is Nonsense. We share some of the same schools, healthcare system, sports teams for youth and adults, shopping, ... We do not go to these other metro cities for any of these things. These comments do not hold water and are meant only to get Midland into their larger population of votes so that Midland is separated from rural communities and our vote is diluted.
Mike Scott
I see comments from people from Midland saying we are similar to Saginaw and Flint. This can't be farther from the truth. We have no similarities with these two cities. Their big issues are poor schools and high crime rates. Midland has some of the best schools and a very low crime rate. People in Midland do not typically go shopping in Flint or Saginaw. This is just not accurate at all. We have much more in common with the rural counties of Gladwin, Isabella and Arenac counties especially because of the ongoing issues with the dams and flooding.
Pamela Buchholz
I definitely think Midland connects most with Bay City - Saginaw - Flint. My one concern is splitting off the rest of Midland County. I live in Homer Township, about 3 miles south of Sanford. However, I connect with Midland for schools, doctors, exercise programs, church and shopping. I know friends who live in Sanford would say the same because I see them in those places. For medical specialists, I head to Bay City or Saginaw. For more extensive shopping, to Saginaw or Flint. For regional church gatherings, I head to Flint or Clarkston. Those are all part of my "home" area. Even though I am equidistant between Mt. Pleasant and Saginaw, it never crosses my mind to go to Mt. Pleasant for doctors or shopping. They are not part of my Tri-City community. Without including Saginaw and Flint, Midland would be a pretty white-washed district, so I think it is important to keep Midland with those areas for that reason also. I appreciate the unity of interest represented by this map as well as the diversity of race and economic status, I'd just like to see ALL of Midland County included in that connection.
Laura Gray
This map ignores the communities of interest of Midland and Gladwin for flood recovery and watershed management, as well as the agricultural community of interest that benefits from representation that understands the importance of agriculture here in Midland and Central Michigan. Midland County should be kept whole in this process and be included in a district that is representative of the innately rural agriculture base that makes up Central Michigan.
Jennifer Anway
Midland County is home to more than 500 farms covering 88,000 acres. The needs of our community are different from those of big cities like Saginaw and Flint.
Quinn Nichols
Doesn't make sense to draw lines through counties. Keep one county in the same district.
Jesseca Elza
The residents of Midland County want to be kept together in one congressional district for many community interests as well for the surrounding “communities of interests” that we share. My family lives in all areas of Midland County, many within just miles of city limits, and my immediate family lives less than 2 miles from the City of Midland. We were all affected by the recent flooding in both 2017 and 2020. The downtown Midland area within the City of Midland was drastically affected. As a result of the conditions downtown, all surrounding areas were directly affected as water spilled over and backed up from the merging rivers, thus affecting those living outside the city limits. Removing the city of Midland will result in a major setback in our flood recovery and flood management efforts. Gladwin County needs to remain in the same district to ensure continuity and a united effort in our flood recovery and watershed management. The City of Midland does not belong in a district with larger urban centers, Saginaw and Flint. It appears that the Commission is attempting to dilute the voices of the Midland community.
Michelle Smith
Your proposed map will result in a major setback in our flood recovery and flood management efforts. Strongly dislike map
Matthew J Smith
Your proposed map will result in a major setback in our flood recovery and flood management efforts. The Commission appears to be ignoring the constitution which requires that they use ‘communities of interest’ to draw fair maps. Instead it appears that the Commission is trying to dilute the voices of the Midland community by adding them into larger urban centers with Flint and Saginaw.
Marcia Blackson
I believe the residents of Midland County should be kept together in one, westward facing congressional district. Please so not carve out the City of Midland from the rest of the county. The City of Midland had major flooding along with the flooding in Sanford and in Gladwin County. That is why it is so important that Midland County remain in its entirety and Gladwin County needs to remain in the same district to ensure continuity and a united effort in our recovery. Your proposed map will result in a major setback in our flood recovery and flood management efforts.
Carl L Hamann
This removing the city of Midland from Midland county make NO SENSE!!!! We have suffered from an catastrophic disaster last year !! Along with Gladwin county the county of Midland is struggling to re turn to some kind of "normal". As a councilman of the Village of Sanford I strongly oppose this map.
Natalie Gingras Hazen
The residents of Midland County want to be kept together in one, westward facing congressional district. Please do not carve out the City of Midland from the rest of the county. It appears that the Commissioners have a misunderstanding on the 2020 flooding. The City of Midland had major flooding along with the flooding in Sanford and in Gladwin County. That’s why it is so important that Midland County remain in its entirety and Gladwin County needs to remain in the same district to ensure continuity and a united effort in our recovery. Your proposed map will result in a major setback in our flood recovery and flood management efforts. The Commission appears to be ignoring the constitution which requires that they use ‘communities of interest’ to draw fair maps. Instead it appears that the Commission is trying to dilute the voices of the Midland community by adding them into larger urban centers with Flint and Saginaw. This map ignores the communities of interest of Midland and Gladwin for flood recovery and watershed management; as well as the agricultural community of interest that benefits from representation that understands the importance of agriculture here in Midland and Central Michigan. Midland County is home to more than 500 farms covering 88,000 acres. The needs of our community are different from those of big cities like Saginaw and Flint. Midland County should be kept whole in this process and be included in a district that is representative of the innately rural agriculture base that makes up Central Michigan.
jane scott
This map is terrible for Midland. I am a 30 year resident of city of Midland and want to be kept with my county and watershed counties. WE ARE PHYSICALLY CONNECTED BY OUR WATERSHED. I have lived through many floods and the multi million dollar project to restore our watershed in concert with out county and Gladwin only can be successful by having focused representation. Flint and Saginaw will not represent our needs and is a purely artificial grouping of communities. We are a small community with completely different needs compared to Saginaw and Flint and pretending otherwise is disingenuous. Saginaw and Flint have many important issues distinct from ours and we should not dilute their efforts. Please do NOT carve out the city of Midland. Midland and Sanford were ground zero for the recent flood and should not be artificially separated.
Rodney Kloha
It makes no sense to separate Mildland County and the City of Mildand. Please do not gerrymander the City of Midland into an unrelated district.
Kim Holzhauer
Thank you to the Commission for your hard work on this massive undertaking. This map, however, is not representative of what the County of Midland is about. This map removes the county seat for the County of Midland and puts it in a separate district from the entire remainder of Midland County, which is definitely not in the best interests of this area. The extremely well attended annual Midland County Fair, held in the City of Midland, is a great example of how important agriculture and rural life are for this district. Additionally, there are many years of work ahead in this watershed district to make whole the dams and lake systems after the major flooding event in 2020. These are very important communities of interest within the counties of Midland and Gladwin, as well as the other counties west of Midland.
Carter Houtman
At no point should Midland ever be included with Flint or Saginaw, and Midland county should never be split apart. Anyone who’s ever visited midland knows that there is no singly part anywhere in the county or city that resembles any of the district it was drawn into. Listen to residents. It’s your job.
David E Kepler
This Map misses the point that in small city like Midland, the rural areas towships and villiages around it especially those to the north want west, are aligned significantly in their interests.
Amanda Oster
The Commission appears to be ignoring the constitution which requires that they use ‘communities of interest’ to draw fair maps. Instead it appears that the Commission is trying to dilute the voices of the Midland community by adding them into larger urban centers with Flint and Saginaw.
Amanda Oster
This map makes zero sense!
Amanda Oster
this map carves out the City of Midland and adds it to Flint/Saginaw. This is a HARD NO!
cheryl scales
This does not make sense. Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo do not have any common efforts together, they are in sperate metropolitan areas, and have no relations to each other. Kent County should be together as one.
cheryl scales
Once again you have seperated Rockford and the surrounding areas from Grand Rapids. Keep Kent County together. We are part of regional planning, infrastructure sharing, and over 80% of the residents from the City of Rockford work in Grand Rapids. Kent County is mostly urban, and you have attached us with rural counties that we do not share any issues with.
Yalcin Yanikoglu
This map is identical to '10-05-21 v1 CD'. Also 5-8 Republican advantage for 2016, 6-7 Republican advantage for 2020 presidential elections. (1 Democratic seat is a close win). I think that is barely an improvement for DW's previous map.
Joel A Sheltrown
Doesn't seem at all practical to split out Ogemaw Co, with Edwards Twp in a separate district. Leave all of Ogemaw in with Northern MI 12th (old 1st) Thank you for consideration
Brian Burch
Why not keep Muskegon County whole? Seems like an odd carve out.
Ted Dyson
I generally like that most of Muskegon County is kept together and grouped with our natural lakeshore communities of interest. However, the tiny carve out of Moorland Township seems a bit random and odd, but not a huge deal if that is the compromise needed to balance population. My larger concern is the long meandering district that stretches to link Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Although I don't live in that area, this seems contrived to produce a partisan outcome. I would encourage you to chose map 200 over this one. #200 does a better job of honoring geographic compactness and keeping whole communities together. Carving two far-flung urban centers away from their respective suburbs to combine them into a single "barbell" district like this just give the appearance of old fashion gerrymandering.
Diana
If Novi or "Noville" is so set on being included with Northville Township - draw a line to include them in a Wayne county district. Representation for Western Wayne again, will be from Central/East Oakland County. Geographically distant, as well as a different COI. We share infrastructure concerns in this corner of Wayne/Washtenaw/ and Novi. Folks here live and work in places like Dearborn, Detroit and Ann Arbor. Auburn Hills & Northville do NOT belong together.
Jennifer Austin
I still feel like based on my experience of living in the Thumb for 11 years that Tuscola County would be better served being with the Thumb district than a Tri-Cities+Flint district. It is more agrarian and rural like the rest of the Thumb and would allow you to not dig so deep into Oakland and Macomb. It's not easy to move all of these pieces around, and you might have other concerns to address, but just thought I would mention it.