'Historic' | For first time, citizens begin drawing Michigan voting districts An independent commission of 13 people is tasked with the assignment after a 16-site listening tour where they learned how voters wants the districts re-drawn. Author: Matt Gard Updated: 11:25 PM EDT July 1, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan is one step closer to having its Congressional, state house, and state senate districts being drawn by ordinary citizens, instead of state lawmakers, for the first time ever. In 2018, Michigan voters passed a ballot initiative that gave a 13-member panel the opportunity to decide how voting districts would be drawn. That commission is made up of five independents, four Democrats, and four Republicans. They wrapped up a 16-site listening tour at DeVos Place Thursday night.