Partisan "Foul": 19 Radio Stations Pull Misleading Pro-Gerrymandering Ad in Michigan

image
Created: 24 Oct, 2018
Updated: 17 Oct, 2022
1 min read

LANSING, MICH. - The Voters Not Politicians campaign sent out a press release Wednesday confirming that 19 radio stations in Michigan have pulled ads against its anti-gerrymandering amendment that the organization calls "misleading."

"The radio spot, funded by the Michigan Freedom Fund, falsely claimed that Proposal 2 'writes a blank check' to members of the independent citizens redistricting commission created under the proposal, and that 'they can spend whatever they want' In fact, under the proposal, Commission funding would be subject to appropriation and approval by the Legislature and is subject to a veto from the Governor," the group states.

Voters Not Politicians says radio stations under the Michigan Brownfield Network pulled the ad after receiving "factual information from the Voters Not Politicians legal team." The ad also received a "foul" rating Bridge Truth Squad, and it is not the first time the Michigan Freedom Fund has been called out for a false and misleading pro-gerrymandering ad.

“Lies told by special interests invested in our current rigged system – the very individuals and groups who orchestrated and benefit from Michigan’s gerrymandered voting districts – are yet another attempt to mislead and confuse voters so they can maintain the status quo,” said Katie Fahey, founder and executive director of Voters Not Politicians.

“Proposal 2 puts more power in the voters’ hands, making politicians accountable to us, not lobbyists or special interests. We’re confident that when voters know the facts about Proposal 2, they will vote YES on Nov. 6.”

Voters Not Politicians is the campaign behind Proposal 2, which is proposing a citizens' redistricting commission to take control of redistricting out of the hands of partisan politicians, and put into the hands of the people. Proposal 2 is one of 4 anti-gerrymandering proposals on the ballot in the US.

Latest articles

Ballot handed to poll worker.
NM Lawmakers: Open Primaries Bill Is About Boosting Voter Participation
KOAT 7 in New Mexico featured an investigative report on the impact of open primaries now that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed SB 16 into law, a bill that opens the state's primaries to more than 330,000 independent voters....
09 Apr, 2025
-
2 min read
Judge about to slower gavel.
Believe It or Not, There Is Still a 2024 Election That Hasn't Been Called
It may be hard to believe, but as of April 2025, there is still one election in the US from the last election cycle that has not been called: the 2024 North Carolina Supreme Court election between incumbent Democrat Justice Allison Riggs and Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin....
09 Apr, 2025
-
3 min read
NYC Mayor Eric Adams
NYC Mayor Eric Adams Declares Independent Bid for Re-Election to Skirt Ranked Choice Primary
Facing the risk of defeat in a competitive Democratic primary, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on April 3 that he is withdrawing from the June 24 ranked-choice contest and will instead collect signatures to run as an independent in the November 4 general election....
08 Apr, 2025
-
5 min read