Daunt v. Benson: Voters Not Politicians’ Brief in Support of Motion to Intervene

On August 12, 2019, Voters Not Politicians (VNP), the nonpartisan, citizen-led group that drafted and worked to pass the constitutional amendment establishing the Michigan Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission, filed a motion to intervene as a defendant in the case. VNP moved to intervene in order to offer its expertise and insights as the drafter and sponsor of the constitutional amendment at issue and to defend the constitutionality of the eligibility requirements for commissioners and the amendment as whole. The constitutional amendment establishing the Commission was approved by over 61% (2.5 million) of Michigan voters, with support from voters of both major political parties.