Redistricting Committee could split up Copper Country

The new Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is pondering some big changes to the area’s state representative districts. A first draft from the panel has Greg Markkanen’s 110th district shedding Baraga County and picking up a portion of Dickinson County instead, including Iron Mountain and Kingsford. Baraga would slide into the 109th joining Marquette County.

The bipartisan group, formed thanks to a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2018, is responsible for redrawing maps after the census. State representatives, state senators, and United States congressmen all represent areas determined by population ranging from just under 80,000 people to over 750,000 constituents. The UP saw a three percent decline over the past ten years, but several counties were hit far harder, including in the western end. With fewer people, that changes the political geography.

At the federal level, all of the Upper Peninsula will remain part of the 1st Congressional District and the state Senate seat currently occupied by Ed McBroom will creep east towards Luce and Alger Counties if a first draft holds up.