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Michigan House of Representatives District 31
From Ballotpedia - Reading time: 15 min
| Census Topic | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 88,385 |
| Gender |
47.6% Male 52.4% Female |
| Race |
71.9% White 18.7% Black 1.7% Asian 0.3% Native American 0% Pacific Islander |
| Ethnicity | 3.1% Hispanic |
| Median household income | $56,174 |
| High school graduation rate | 90.2% |
| College graduation rate | 18.8% |
Michigan House of Representatives District 31 is represented by William Sowerby (D).
As of the 2020 Census, Michigan state representatives represented an average of 91,612 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 89,851 residents.
About the office[edit]
Members of the Michigan House of Representatives serve two-year terms with term limits.[1] Michigan legislators assume office at noon on the first day of January.
Qualifications[edit]
Section 7 of Article 4 of the Michigan Constitution states, "Each senator and representative must be a citizen of the United States, at least 21 years of age, and an elector of the district he represents. The removal of his domicile from the district shall be deemed a vacation of the office. No person who has been convicted of subversion or who has within the preceding 20 years been convicted of a felony involving a breach of public trust shall be eligible for either house of the legislature."[2]
Salaries[edit]
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislators | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $71,685/year | No per diem is paid. Legislators receive an expense allowance of $10,800/year for session and interim. Set by the compensation commission. Vouchered. |
Term limits[edit]
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
The Michigan legislature is one of 15 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Michigan Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative said that Michigan representatives are subject to term limits of no more than three two-year terms, or a total of six years.[1]
The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2002.
Vacancies[edit]
If there is a vacancy in the Michigan State Legislature, the governor must call for a special election to fill the vacancy.[3][4]
When conducting a special election, the election should be held whenever the next general election is scheduled. If the vacancy happens after the statewide primary election, the leaders of the respective party organizations in the district can submit a list of nominees to be voted on by party leadership. The nominee must be voted on no later than 21 days after the vacancy occurred.[5]
See sources: Michigan Const. Art. 5, § 13
2016 pivot county[edit]
This district is one of 710 state legislative districts that intersects with one or more Pivot Counties. These 206 Pivot Counties voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012.
The 206 Pivot Counties are located in 34 states. Iowa, with 31, had the most such counties. The partisan makeup of state legislative districts intersecting with Pivot Counties is slightly more Republican than the overall partisan makeup of state legislatures throughout the country.[6]
District map[edit]
The map below shows this district's current boundaries, not those enacted as part of the 2020 redistricting cycle.
Redistricting[edit]
2020-2022[edit]
The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) approved new district boundaries for both the state Senate and state House of Representatives on December 28, 2021. The commission approved what was known as the "Linden" map for state Senate districts by a vote of 9-4 with two Democrats, two Republicans, and all five nonpartisan members supporting the proposal. The commission adopted what was known as the "Hickory" map for state House of Representatives districts by a vote of 11-2 with four Democrats, two Republicans, and all five nonpartisan members supporting it.[7][8] As required, the adopted map was approved by "at least two commissioners who affiliate with each major party, and at least two commissioners who do not affiliate with either major party."[9] The maps became law on March 26, 2022—60 days after the MICRC published a report on the redistricting plans with the secretary of state.[10]
According to The Detroit News, The Linden Senate map...is expected to create districts that could yield 20 Democratic seats and 18 Republican seats. Senate Republicans currently have a 22-16 majority."[7] Clara Hendrickson of the Detroit Free Press wrote that, "The map appears to create 19 solidly Democratic districts, 16 solidly Republican districts, one Republican-leaning district and two toss-up districts, according to election results from the past decade."[11]
Beth LeBlanc of The Detroit News wrote that, "The Hickory House map...is expected to create districts that could produce 57 Democratic seats and 53 Republican seats. After the 2020 election, Michigan House Republicans had a 58-52 majority in the House."[7] Hendrickson wrote that, "The new map appears to create 41 solidly Democratic districts, 46 solidly Republican districts, nine Democratic-leaning districts, two Republican-leaning districts and 12 toss-up districts."[11] She also wrote, "Unlike the current map, there is no majority-Black district in the state Senate map adopted by the commission, while the state House map reduces the number of majority-Black districts in place today. Current and former state lawmakers from Detroit and civil rights leaders are vehemently opposed to how the new district lines reduce the share of Black voters. They argue that the elimination of majority-Black districts disenfranchises Black voters."[11] These maps take effect for Michigan’s 2022 legislative elections.
How does redistricting in Michigan work? In Michigan, a non-politician commission is responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district plans. The commission comprises 13 members, including four Democrats, four Republicans, and five unaffiliated voters or members of minor parties. In order for a map to be enacted, at least seven members must vote for it, including at least two Democrats, two Republicans, and two members not affiliated with either major party.[12]
The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission prepared this document specifically explaining the redistricting process after the 2020 census.
Michigan House of Representatives District 31
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Michigan House of Representatives District 31
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections[edit]
2022[edit]
The primary will occur on August 2, 2022. The general election will occur on November 8, 2022. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 31
Reggie Miller and Glenn R. Morrison Jr. are running in the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 31 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate |
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Reggie Miller | |
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Glenn R. Morrison Jr. | |
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 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 31
Dale Biniecki and Holli Vallade are running in the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 31 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate |
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Dale Biniecki | |
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Holli Vallade | |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jason Howland (R)
2020[edit]
General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 31
Incumbent William Sowerby defeated Lisa Valerio-Nowc in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 31 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
William Sowerby (D)
|
56.3
|
26,202 |
|
|
Lisa Valerio-Nowc (R)
|
43.7
|
20,364 | |
|
Total votes: 46,566 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
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Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 31
Incumbent William Sowerby defeated Michelle Robertson in the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 31 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
William Sowerby
|
57.4
|
6,300 |
|
|
Michelle Robertson |
42.6
|
4,685 | |
|
Total votes: 10,985 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
||||
Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 31
Lisa Valerio-Nowc defeated Austin Negipe in the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 31 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Lisa Valerio-Nowc
|
60.1
|
4,338 |
|
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Austin Negipe |
39.9
|
2,878 | |
|
Total votes: 7,216 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
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2018[edit]
General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 31
Incumbent William Sowerby defeated Lisa Valerio-Nowc in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 31 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
William Sowerby (D) |
59.9
|
20,791 |
|
|
Lisa Valerio-Nowc (R) |
40.1
|
13,925 | |
|
Total votes: 34,716 (100.00% precincts reporting) |
|||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
||||
Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 31
Incumbent William Sowerby defeated Michelle Robertson in the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 31 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
William Sowerby |
56.2
|
5,474 |
|
|
Michelle Robertson |
43.8
|
4,271 | |
|
Total votes: 9,745 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
||||
Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 31
Lisa Valerio-Nowc defeated Catherine Osinski Dinka in the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 31 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Lisa Valerio-Nowc |
50.5
|
3,002 |
|
|
Catherine Osinski Dinka |
49.5
|
2,947 | |
|
Total votes: 5,949 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
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2016[edit]
Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 19, 2016. Incumbent Marilyn Lane (D) did not seek re-election because of term-limits.
William Sowerby defeated Lisa Valerio-Nowc and Michael Saliba in the Michigan House of Representatives District 31 general election.[13]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 31 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  William Sowerby |
56.16% | 22,735 | |
| Republican | Lisa Valerio-Nowc | 38.89% | 15,743 | |
| Libertarian | Michael Saliba | 4.96% | 2,007 | |
| Total Votes | 40,485 | |||
| Source: Michigan Secretary of State | ||||
William Sowerby defeated Michael Brewington in the Michigan House of Representatives District 31 Democratic primary.[14][15]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 31 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | William Sowerby |
78.31% | 4,561 | |
| Democratic | Michael Brewington | 21.69% | 1,263 | |
| Total Votes | 5,824 | |||
Lisa Valerio-Nowc defeated Austin Negipe in the Michigan House of Representatives District 31 Republican primary.[14][15]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 31 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Lisa Valerio-Nowc |
66.87% | 2,206 | |
| Republican | Austin Negipe | 33.13% | 1,093 | |
| Total Votes | 3,299 | |||
2014[edit]
Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 5, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 22, 2014. Incumbent Marilyn Lane defeated Kathy Blanke and Juliana Goldwater in the Democratic primary. Phil Rode was unopposed in the Republican primary. Lane defeated Rode in the general election.[16][17][18][19]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 31 General Election, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Marilyn Lane Incumbent |
61.1% | 15,769 | |
| Republican | Phil Rode | 38.9% | 10,054 | |
| Total Votes | 25,823 | |||
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 31 Democratic Primary, 2014 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|
Marilyn Lane Incumbent |
69.8% | 3,803 |
| Kathy Blanke | 18.4% | 1,004 |
| Juliana Goldwater | 11.8% | 643 |
| Total Votes | 5,450 | |
2012[edit]
Elections for the office of Michigan House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 7, 2012 and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for major party candidates wishing to run in this election was May 15, 2012. The deadline for independent candidates was July 19, 2012. The deadline for write-in candidates was July 27, 2012.[20] Incumbent Marilyn Lane (D) defeated Lynn Evans (R) and James Miller (L) in the general election. Lane was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Evans defeated Phil Rode in the Republican primary.[21][22]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 31, General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Marilyn Lane Incumbent |
61.7% | 24,443 | |
| Republican | Lynn Evans | 33.9% | 13,404 | |
| Libertarian | James Miller | 4.4% | 1,742 | |
| Total Votes | 39,589 | |||
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 31 Republican Primary, 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|
Lynn Evans |
61.9% | 2,625 |
| Phil Rode | 38.1% | 1,618 |
| Total Votes | 4,243 | |
Campaign contributions[edit]
From 2000 to 2018, candidates for Michigan House of Representatives District 31 raised a total of $1,107,089. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $36,903 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Michigan House of Representatives District 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2018 | $80,503 | 4 | $20,126 |
| 2016 | $37,799 | 5 | $7,560 |
| 2014 | $92,994 | 4 | $23,249 |
| 2012 | $82,747 | 3 | $27,582 |
| 2010 | $50,221 | 4 | $12,555 |
| 2008 | $122,852 | 2 | $61,426 |
| 2006 | $202,038 | 2 | $101,019 |
| 2004 | $300,920 | 3 | $100,307 |
| 2002 | $59,469 | 1 | $59,469 |
| 2000 | $77,546 | 2 | $38,773 |
| Total | $1,107,089 | 30 | $36,903 |
See also[edit]
External links[edit]
Footnotes[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 michiganinbrief.org, "Term limits," accessed December 17, 2013 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "limits" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Michigan Constitution, "Article IV, Section 7," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Statute 168.178, Michigan Compiled Laws," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Constitution of Michigan of 1963, Article 5, Statute 13," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Statute 168.634 (1)-(2), Michigan Compiled Laws," accessed May 22, 2014
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 The Detroit News, "Michigan redistricting panel wraps adoption of state House, Senate, congressional maps" December 28, 2021
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Michigan redistricting commission adopts new state legislative maps," December 28, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Article IV § 6" - Independent citizens redistricting commission for state legislative and congressional districts," accessed January 3, 2022
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedMICRCemail - ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Detroit Free Press, "Michigan redistricting commission adopts new state legislative maps," December 28, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Radio, "Redistricting proposal passes in Michigan," November 6, 2018
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 official general election results," accessed May 2, 2017
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Candidate Listing," accessed April 22, 2016
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Election Results," accessed August 2, 2016
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Representative in State Legislature," accessed August 6, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Representative in State Legislature," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2014 Official Michigan Primary Candidate Listing," accessed May 27, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2014 Official Michigan General Candidate Listing," accessed September 8, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2012 Michigan Election Dates.” Retrieved October 29, 2013
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, 2012 primary election results. Retrieved October 29, 2013
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, 2010 general election results. Retrieved October 29, 2013
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