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Michigan Gerrymandering Lawsuit Scheduled For Trial On Tuesday

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A lawsuit contesting how Michigan has drawn its political district lines is headed for trial.  A 3-judge panel denied an attempt by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and the League of Women Voters of Michigan to settle the case out of court.

The case began under former Republican Secretary of State Ruth Johnson.  The lawsuit accuses the Republican-led state Legislature of drawing political maps so that its party would have an advantage.  

The court later allowed Republican members of Congress and state legislators to intervene in the case.  And when new Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson tried to settle the case with the League – the Republicans pushed back. 

The court sided with lawmakers saying that Benson can’t enter into the settlement without the approval of the Republican-led Legislature.  Now the case is scheduled for trial on Tuesday.  But the U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to intervene…and it is still considering the request.

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—Cheyna Roth is a reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network.  Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org

Before becoming the newest Capitol reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network, Cheyna Roth was an attorney. She spent her days fighting it out in court as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Ionia County. Eventually, Cheyna took her investigative and interview skills and moved on to journalism. She got her masters at Michigan State University and was a documentary filmmaker, podcaster, and freelance writer before finding her home with NPR. Very soon after joining MPRN, Cheyna started covering the 2016 presidential election, chasing after Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and all their surrogates as they duked it out for Michigan. Cheyna also focuses on the Legislature and criminal justice issues for MPRN. Cheyna is obsessively curious, a passionate storyteller, and an occasional backpacker. Follow her on Twitter at @Cheyna_R
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