By Jordyn Hermani
Staff Writer
Posted: February 11, 2022 7:39 AM

There was a Twitter thread the other day which posed an interesting question: If you had to make a playlist to describe the redistricting process, what would be on it?

While the question wasn't specific to Michigan's redistricting process, it did prompt a series of replies from Mitten-based journalists and politicos who threw out their own ideas – me included – about what our own redistricting playlist might sound like.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but more of a primer for what it was like to cover Michigan's own redistricting efforts. If you can think of more, I'd certainly welcome the suggestions (especially considering that I'm fighting the urge to make this an actual Spotify playlist as we speak).

"Changes" – 2Pac

It was a tough choice between this, and David Bowie's "Changes," but the sentiment is the same – Michigan's U.S. House, state House and state Senate maps are changing, and 2Pac's right: Things will never be the same.

"Dare You To Move" – Switchfoot

With incumbents being drawn into the same district at the state House, state Senate and congressional level, it's become a game of who will blink first in terms of people ceding districts to members of their own party.

While many have chosen to stay put in an area that has most of their base, some are looking elsewhere in the state – or even looking at not running for the same or different office at all – given the way Michigan's maps break down.

"Detroit Rock City" – Kiss

Given the intense fixation on whether the newly selected maps are or aren't in compliance with the U.S. Voting Rights Act, it was only proper to include something of a shoutout to Detroit on the playlist. That said, the first lawsuit filed against the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission was dismissed by the Michigan Supreme Court earlier this month in a 4-3 decision.

Justices in the majority say the maps, drawn with fewer and in some cases no majority-minority districts, had not violated the act (See Gongwer Michigan Report, February 3, 2022).

"Maps And Legends" – R.E.M.

Maybe not the most original choice, but given the fact that we had so many circulating at one point, the song was inevitable. Also, I think our editor – a certified R.E.M. superfan – would probably fire me if I didn't include this one over another map-related song, like "Maps" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs or "Maps" by The Front Bottoms. Or even "Maps" by Maroon 5.

Side note: Who knew there were so many songs about maps?

Editor's note: Editor nods approvingly.

"Dazed And Confused" – Led Zeppelin

We cover redistricting pretty diligently. And while I'm not our beat reporter for that, the honor going to our own Ben Solis, I have sat in on my fair share of redistricting meetings. Let me tell you, after several hours of watching places you're vaguely familiar with being picked apart and drawn one way, only to be erased and drawn another, simply because some lines looked a little too gerrymandered – your brain starts to feel like soup.

Even now, with the districts more or less established, I'm still having trouble learning what exactly each jurisdiction is, who lives there or who could be running there. I don't know if that will change any time soon. Maybe by the primaries.

"The Suburbs" – Arcade Fire

If you'd read any of the comments on the proposed maps (when that option was still available, as the non-selected maps have since been pulled from the ICRC's website) it felt like everyone's eyes were on the suburbs and how those districts were dissected – and for good reason.

Suburban voters were credited with helping now President Joe Biden win election in 2020, and will likely be where Republicans and Democrats alike zero-in on in the run up to the 2024 presidential election. Not to mention the number of changes suburban districts underwent during this process, in an effort to make them more competitive regardless of political party.

Editor's note: Editor squints at selection and starts singing "Subdivisions" by Rush to himself.

"I Fought The Law And The Law Won" – The Clash

While there's still a case from Republicans regarding the redistricting commission's maps as well as one from a coalition of voting groups, so far, the ICRC has been able to claim a win of sorts over if they'll have to go back to the drawing board on the final incarnation of their maps. Maybe the song isn't a perfect fit for the example, but the commission has been somewhat successful in defending their maps as they currently stand.

Now, defending that closed door meeting the commission tried to undertake? Not so much (See Gongwer Michigan Report, December 20, 2021).

"How To Disappear Completely" – Radiohead

I consider this a farewell to Michigan's former 14th U.S. House district, given that we lost it to the census and the ICRC was tasked with drawing us a new map with only 13 U.S. House districts. Also, it's a formal signoff for all the lawmakers who've more or less lost their entire base to new districts which have divvied up their current constituency across two, three, even four other, newer jurisdictions.

"I Ran" – Flock Of Seagulls

With the new maps out, it feels like everyone and their brother is throwing their name into the ring to be the next state representative, senator or member of Congress – a given, considering many of these maps endeavor to put areas of the state in play that haven't been in quite some time.

"Walk The Line" – Johnny Cash

Get it? Boundary lines? You know, like between House or Senate districts? I'll see myself out.