In Michigan and other states, politicians manipulate voting maps to create lopsided districts, virtually guaranteeing their own re-elections. It’s a case of foxes guarding the henhouse — the politicians charged with ensuring fair and transparent elections provide neither.

In his recent column on gerrymandering, Jack Strayer sides with the foxes, mischaracterizing the motives of the nonpartisan, grassroots citizen group Voters Not Politicians and their plan to improve elections.

The group consists of thousands of volunteers working to move the job of drawing political maps out of the back rooms of Lansing, into the open. Their proposal will create an independent commission, increasing fairness and transparency in political mapmaking.

The group’s collecting signatures to put the question on the November 2018 ballot, and has petitions at local events for anyone interested in signing — visit votersnotpoliticians.com/signingevents for information.

In 2016, Michigan’s vote was split 50/50 between the two major parties. Because of gerrymandered districts, 9 of our 15 representatives in Congress were Republican. This does not reflect the electorate’s will.

Mr. Strayer correctly says Democrats employ gerrymandering too, but wrongly implies reform supporters think that’s “OK.”

Actually, we don’t, and we’re working to change it.

Strayer, conversely, seems fine letting politicians rig districts to their advantage.

Strayer disparages Voters Not Politician’s plan as giving an important political job to “amateurs.” But the commission will use the sophisticated mapping software that politicians currently employ.

Strayer expresses confusion about criteria the panel will use, specifically “communities of interest.” This refers to church congregations, chambers of commerce, or other communities with similar legislative concerns.

Now, politicians divide these groups to serve their own partisan needs. Why should partisans be allowed to split communities into different districts to serve their own career goals?

Many Michiganders realize partisan gerrymandering subverts democracy. Voters Not Politicians is changing that.

Sue Monaghan

Cass County co-captain, Voters Not Politicians