The Michigan Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Wednesday, July 18, on whether the initiative to set up a nonpartisan redistricting commission should be on the November 2018 ballot. See this story. The Michigan Supreme Court is elected on a partisan basis, and five of the seven justices are Republicans. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the link.
Everyone agrees the initiative has enough valid signatures. The opponents of the initiative say the proposal is a revision of the State Constitution, not just an amendment, and therefore the initiative process can’t be used.
The Mich Donkeys copied the CA gerrymander commission scheme.
Mich Elephant big biz NOT amused.
The MI SCT Elephants killed a major reform effort in 2008 — using the *revision* JUNK notion.
1/2 or less votes x 1/2 rigged gerrymander concentration camp districts = 1/4 CONTROL.
Thus – 25 percent gerrymander Donkey urban communists vs 25 percent gerrymander Elephant suburban-rural fascists for CONTROL of state legislature —
about 10 million population in state.
Also — Mich now 1 of about 8 *marginal* States for electing USA Prezs — see 2016 Prez math.
Quick MICH SCT action coming since NOV ballots are printed by early SEP after Mich primary in early AUG.
Technically, races for Michigan Supreme Court seats are non-partisan. But the candidates are nominated by state parties at state conventions. (It is theoretically possible for a No Party Affiliation candidate to petition onto the ballot, I suppose. Richard, do you have any record that this has ever been done?)
No, no candidate for one of the Michigan Supreme Court seats has ever run as an independent, via petition. There were no statutory procedures for independent candidates in Michigan, for any office, until 1988.
1963 Mich Const
Art. VI, Sec. 2 [sentences split for reading]
The supreme court shall consist of seven justices elected at non-partisan elections as provided by law.
The term of office shall be eight years and not more than two terms of office shall expire at the same time.
Nominations for justices of the supreme court shall be in the manner prescribed by law.
Any incumbent justice whose term is to expire may become a candidate for re-election by filing an affidavit of candidacy, in the form and manner prescribed by law, not less than 180 days prior to the expiration of his term.
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3rd sent. — The legislature gerrymander HACKS have the party hack post-primary state conventions for hack nominations — along with the independent petitions
4th sent. — I rashly assume the 2 Elephant incumbent hacks have used the last sentence for ballot access in Nov 2018.
IF either does NOT obey the top Elephant gerrymander hacks (ie obey or die stuff), then either may have more opposition from other Elephant hack nominees.
IF that happens the Donkeys may NOT nominate added Donkey nominees.
Not sure of time order of Donkey/Elephant post primary state conventions.
Just more EVIL HACK oligarchy ROT.
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NO primaries.
PR and AppV