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Trio of redistricting commission members submit own maps

David Niven, a professor of political science at the University of Cincinnati, holds a map depicting a gerrymandered Ohio district.
David Niven, a professor of political science at the University of Cincinnati, holds a map depicting a gerrymandered Ohio district.

Three members of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission have taken advantage of a rule change ahead of a final public comment period.

The three each published their own independently drawn maps after the commission voted last week to allow it.

The vote was a controversial decision made against the advice of the body’s general counsel. She told the commission it did not have the authority under the state constitution to do so.

But further guidance from the commission’s litigation counsel gave the body an O.K. to proceed.

After this 45-day public comment period, the commission will meet in late December to pick final versions of the state House, Senate and Congressional district lines.

If the body cannot agree, three of the 14 published maps will be randomly chosen.