Network partners come out strong against Wisconsin mapping process

In a move that goes against historical precedent, Republicans in the Wisconsin state legislature released their state level and congressional redistricting maps last Friday, with the intent to pass them before the state’s unprecedented recall elections, which have the potential to flip control of the state Senate from Republicans to Democrats. The release of these maps runs counter to Wisconsin’s process, since usually county and city level redistricting occurs before the statewide remaps.

Network partners in Wisconsin have come out strong against the proposed maps:

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin writes: “Wisconsin’s proud tradition of participatory government has been defiled once again by a legislative leadership that is out to protect its own power despite the people.” The League also states that the introduction of redistricting maps is meant to confuse potential voters who might think the changes will go into effect immediately.

Nonpartisan group Make Our Votes Count in Wisconsin has also expressed strong opposition to the map. The group says: “What we are seeing is a maneuver designed by those currently controlling the legislature to force a plan for political gain. The only plausible explanation for the timing of the map’s introduction is to ensure a partisan redistricting plan is approved before the upcoming recall elections that could shift control of the state senate.” They also emphasize the need for public participation in the map drawing process and have proposed redistricting reform.

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign has been keeping an eye on the redistricting process for a while, filing an open records request to see maps drawn in private at taxpayer expense. Now that maps have been released, however, WDC has released citizen-drawn maps, and will be submitting these maps, along with a written statement, at the public hearing today. WDC’s map creates competitive state level districts, and does not split some communities like the proposed Republican map does. Make Our Votes Count Wisconsin has endorsed WDC’s draft map. Watch today’s hearing live at 10 a.m. CT on WisconsinEye.