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Michigan | State Upper | State Lower

Agee v. Benson

Last Updated Jul 26, 2024
Case No. 1:22-cv-00272 (W.D. Mich), Nos. 23A641, 23A749 (S. Ct.)
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Case Information

Federal court challenge to state legislative districts based on alleged violations of the Voting Rights Act and an unconstitutionally unjustified predominant use of race.

On Aug. 29, 2023, the court denied the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment, and granted the state commission’s cross-motion in part, dismissing challenges against several districts on procedural grounds or for insufficient evidence.

On Dec. 21, 2023, the court struck down several state legislative districts in the Detroit metro area because of their unjustified predominant reliance on race; on May 7, 2024, the state’s independent commission voluntarily dismissed its appeal of that decision.

The state’s independent commission submitted new state House remedial plans on Mar. 1, 2024, approved by the court on Mar. 27, 2024.  The commission submitted state Senate remedial plans on June 27, 2024, approved by the court on July 26, 2024 (Senate seats are not up for election until 2026).

History

Case filings, starting with most recent court
    Name Last Modified
Document icon Cmm'ns emergency app. for stay (incl. appx.) Jan 9, 2024
Document icon SOS brief re stay Jan 17, 2024
Document icon Plaintiffs' opposition Jan 17, 2024
Document icon Reply Jan 18, 2024
Document icon Order denying stay Jan 22, 2024
Document icon Vol. dismiss of appeal May 7, 2024

Map | Challenged state Senate plan

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Map | Challenged state House plan

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Additional Cases

Federal court rejected challenge to congressional map: alleged malapportionment, alleged failure to preserve counties and communities
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