John Chamberlin

Faculty affiliates

John R. Chamberlin

Professor Emeritus of Public Policy, Gerald R Ford School of Public Policy, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts

John R. Chamberlin is a professor emeritus of political science and public policy. His research interests include ethics and public policy, professional ethics, and methods of election and representation. He taught the core course "Values, Ethics,…

News

Ford School experts available for Michigan election 2022 analysis

Nov 3, 2022

The eyes of the country are on Michigan, as voters consider ballot initiatives on whether to enshrine abortion rights into the swing state's constitution and expand opportunities to vote. The highest offices in the state are also up for grabs, with...

The impact of Michigan’s redistricting efforts on the 2022 midterms

News

Chamberlin on lawmaker transparency and redistricting

Jun 13, 2021

John Chamberlin, Ford School professor emeritus of public policy and political science, says a recent controversy in Lansing calls out the need for increased transparency when it comes to lawmakers. A Michigan state representative is proposing a law...

Chamberlin on lawmaker transparency and redistricting

In the Media

Chamberlin discusses Michigan redistricting

May 25, 2021 MLive

As the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission begins its work, Michigan citizens are being called upon to help with the process. John Chamberlin, professor emeritus of public policy and political science, explained how the new...

Chamberlin discusses Michigan redistricting

In the Media

How your neighborhood or community group could play a big role in shaping Michigan's new political districts

May 25, 2021 M Live

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In the Media

You can influence how Michigan's electoral maps get re-drawn

May 11, 2021 Michigan Radio

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In the Media

Chamberlin talks about Michigan's transparent redistricting process and census impact

Apr 22, 2021 Detroit News

New 2020 Census data means the loss of a Michigan Congressional seat, and redrawing the district lines will happen through a new citizen-driven process. "The process this year is radically different than the past," said John Chamberlin. "The public...

In the Media

Chamberlin explains 'communities of interest' in Michigan redistricting process

Apr 20, 2021 Bridge Michigan

“The idea is to build districts that work for the citizens, and actually works for the representative,” Chamberlain said, adding that if a representative has a coherent district, it’s easier for them and their staff to actually serve their...

Chamberlin explains 'communities of interest' in Michigan redistricting process

News

Michigan's redistricting effort makes slow but steady progress, despite delayed data, other challenges - Chamberlin

Feb 25, 2021

John Chamberlin, Ford School professor emeritus of political science and public policy, describes himself as a "redistricting junkie." Not unexpectedly, he possesses a keen interest in and understanding of the efforts under way to develop Michigan's...

In the Media

Ranked-choice voting easier than everyday routines, says Chamberlin

Feb 2, 2021 NYCity Lens

"Think of [ranked-choice voting] like choosing items in everyday routines, like ordering a slice of pizza," said John Chamberlin, who specializes in voting systems. "All it takes is a little planning before entering the voting booth. And sometimes...

News

U-M study aims to clarify 'communities of interest' as Michigan prepares for legislative redistricting

Sep 14, 2020 Michigan News

An Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission will redraw state and federal legislative districts in Michigan in 2021 with a mandate: The districts must reflect the state's diverse population and communities of interest. The requirement is one...

Local government officials offer mixed reviews to Michigan's new approach to redistricting

State & Hill

Low voter turnout? Introducing Turn Up Turnout and the Big Ten Voting Challenge

Dec 21, 2017

Voter turnout is abysmally poor," says Joe Schwarz, a Ford School lecturer and former U.S. Congressional representative (R-MI-7). "In general elections, you're lucky to get 50 to 60 percent of eligible voters—that just shows an embarrassing level of...

Low voter turnout? Introducing Turn Up Turnout and the Big Ten Voting Challenge

News

Chamberlin: Lax conflict-of-interest regulation fosters ethical problems in MI legislature

Mar 16, 2017

Quotes from Professor Emeritus John Chamberlin were featured heavily in the March 13 MLive article, "For Michigan lawmakers, conflicts of interest go self-policed and undisclosed," by Emily Lawler. The article examines examples of state legislators...

Chamberlin: Lax conflict-of-interest regulation fosters ethical problems in MI legislature

The Next Big Thing: Redistricting In Michigan And The Role Of Communities Of Interest

Feb 25, 2021 1:27:17

Learn how to participate in the process of drawing the new district maps in Michigan, the role of "communities of interest", and how to engage with the new Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission in the redistricting process.

The Next Big Thing: Redistricting In Michigan And The Role Of Communities Of Interest

Electoral Reform via Ballot Initiatives: Redistricting, Voter Registration, and Voter Rights in Michigan

Oct 8, 2018 1:12:00

John Chamberlin, Nancy Wang, Sharon Dolente, Christopher Thomas, and Richard McLellan look at Proposal 2 and Proposal 3.

Electoral Reform via Ballot Initiatives: Redistricting, Voter Registration, and Voter Rights in Michigan