The group working to establish an independent redistricting commission in Michigan has collected 300,000 signatures, its president said this week.

Katie Fahey, president of the group Voters Not Politicians, told reporters Thursday the group's more than 3,500 trained volunteer petitioners have hit the 300,000 signature mark. Their goal is to collect 400,000 to provide a cushion for the 315,654 valid signatures required to reach the ballot, and turn those signatures in before the end of the year.

Voters Not Politicians has also retained the law firm Fraser Trebilcock for counsel on potential legal challenges and public relations firm Martin Waymire for assistance with communications and other services.

Groups behind ballot petitions have a 180-day window to reach the number of signatures required. Voters Not Politicians began collecting signatures in August, and have until February to turn what they've collected in to the state.

Currently, the redistricting process in Michigan is conducted by the state Legislature, which has been majority Republican in recent redistricting years.

The proposed language would shift that decisionmaking process to the 13-member commission, which would consist of five independent members, four self-declared Democrats and four self-declared Republicans.

Elected officials, candidates, lobbyists and political consultants or staffers -- as well as family members of politicians or other insiders -- would be barred from participating within six years of their politically-affiliated position.

Voters Not Politicians already has some vocal critics. Michigan Republican Party chair Ron Weiser recently sent an email to party supporters warning them not to sign the petition, claiming Voters Not Politicians is "attempting to stack the deck in favor of Democrats."

Republican strategist Robert LaBrant also filed a complaint against Michigan's Bureau of Elections alleging state officials acted improperly when advising Voters Not Politicians. That complaint was forwarded to the Attorney General's office.

Fahey said Voters Not Politicians is confident the proposal will withstand legal scrutiny.

"I think we're really solid in the substance of our proposal," she said.

For the next big push, Fahey said petitioners are planning to collect near polling places on Nov. 7, when local elections will take place at various locations throughout the state. Moving forward, Fahey said the group also plans to work on its outreach, education and fundraising efforts.