WASHINGTON D.C. – Today Representative Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) attended the proceedings before the United States Supreme Court on Gill v. Whitford, the final appeal of the state redistricting lawsuit. The initial federal court found Wisconsin’s legislative maps to be unconstitutional due to partisan gerrymandering. Representative Barca offered the following statement on this experience:
“It was an honor to be present and in the room today as the highest court in the nation considered Wisconsin’s redistricting case, along with my colleague Representative Fred Kessler. This decision is an opportunity to mark the end of extreme partisan gerrymandering in our state and across the nation.
The lower court found Wisconsin’s map unconstitutional because, as the plaintiffs successfully argued, they constitute one of the worst cases of partisan gerrymandering in the country, and I have faith that the justices will agree. In fact, one of the justices remarked strongly about this situation. The potential precedent set by this possible landmark case can finally ensure voters are able to choose their representatives, not the other way around.”
