Appeals panel hears arguments again on constitutionality of redistricting commission
Republicans renewed arguments Wednesday that a 2018 constitutional amendment creating an independent citizens redistricting commission should be overturned because the rules governing who can serve on the commission are too restrictive.
Wednesday marked the second time a three-member Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals panel heard arguments on the constitutionality of the commission, which began meeting last year.
A year ago, the Michigan Republican Party, Michigan Freedom Fund executive director Tony Daunt and others were arguing for a preliminary injunction to stop the formation of the commission. They were denied in April by the appellate panel, which consisted of judges Karen Nelson Moore, Ronald Gilman and Chad Readler.
ED WHITE
DETROIT A Detroit-area man released from a life sentence because of the risk of COVID-19 has been ordered back to prison by a federal appeals court.
In a 2-1 decision, the court said returning John Bass to prison will not cause substantial harm while the government’s full appeal is considered.
Bass, 51, has been in jail or prison for the last 22 years. In 2003, he was convicted of drug crimes and murder and was a candidate for the federal death penalty. A jury instead chose a life sentence.
U.S. District Judge Arthur Tarnow acknowledged Bass’ “horrific” crimes but released him on Jan. 22, saying he deserved a “well-earned second chance” after getting an education in prison, becoming a certified life coach and other factors.
An election worker helps a voter with his ballot in Lansing, Mich., on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthew Dae Smith via Lansing State Journal)
CINCINNATI (CN) – The state of Michigan argued before an appeals court panel Wednesday that its signature and deadline requirements for independent candidates to get on the ballot are constitutional and a federal judge lacked authority to change them.
Christopher Graveline wanted to make a run for Michigan attorney general in 2018, but as an independent candidate. Under the state’s election laws, this required him to obtain at least 30,000 signatures in a six-month period leading up to the election and deploy “petition circulators” in half of Michigan’s congressional districts.