The people of Wisconsin want fair legislative districts. In a 2019 poll by Marquette University Law School, 72% of respondents (including majorities of Democratic, Republican, and independent voters) favored a nonpartisan process for redrawing legislative district maps.
Gov. Tony Evers established a “People’s Maps Commission.” The commission has nine members chosen by three retired nonpartisan judges. Elected officials, lobbyists, and political-party officials were excluded to ensure the commission is nonpartisan. The commission is advisory, and any proposed maps would have to pass the legislative process and be signed by the governor.
Republicans who control the Legislature have rejected this open, fair, nonpartisan process. In 2011, they hired private lawyers in an apparent attempt to create rigged district boundaries to maintain their control of the Legislature. This was done in apparent secret, at taxpayer expense, and produced some of the most “gerrymandered” districts in the country. They seem poised to do the same this year.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Republican legislative leaders already have deals with two law firms to “consult” on redistricting. The reported cost to taxpayers is $965,000. This indicates that Republicans have no intention of working with Democrats to do what is right or what the people of Wisconsin want.
People need to tell their legislators that this is wrong and unacceptable. We must demand a fair redistricting process.
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To learn more and get involved, Google “Wisconsin ‘People's Maps Commission’,” “Common Cause 'Fair Maps, Fair Representation, and a Fair Say’,” and, “Wisconsin ‘Fair Elections Project’.”
Philip Anderson
Maple
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