The state Supreme Court is siding with news outlets suing the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.
The case revolved around the commission’s decision to discuss certain memos in private at an October meeting.
The memos covered legal opinions on the Voting Rights Act and historical discrimination. The commission is in charge of drawing new maps for the state’s voting districts.
Critics said the move violated requirements for public meetings.
Media outlets sued after the commission refused to release the memos…or a recording of that closed door session.
Its lawyers argued the law allowed them to meet in private. They said releasing the memos would violate attorney-client privilege.
The 4-to-3 Supreme Court decision disagreed. The court is ordering the commission to make the recording and discussed memos public.