MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County’s Independent Redistricting Committee is encouraging the public to attend the committee’s next meeting on Friday, August 27 and provide input on the process of redrawing the 18 Supervisory districts of Milwaukee County.
“Public input is essential to the democratic process of redrawing Milwaukee County’s political districts, and we want to stress to the community that they are welcome at our meetings. We want to hear from the public. We need your feedback and ideas. Help us ensure that Milwaukee County’s political districts are drawn to fairly represent every community,” said Committee Chairwoman Jean DiMotto.
Anyone who wishes to appear before the Independent Redistricting Committee and provide their input on the process of redrawing political districts is welcome to sign up on the County Clerk’s web site. Friday’s IRC meeting starts at 1:00 p.m. and will be held virtually.
Community organizations are encouraged to let their networks know about the opportunity to participate in the redistricting process and to invite their members to attend and speak.
The Board of Supervisors established the Independent Redistricting Committee, comprised of retired judges, “to maintain the integrity of the redistricting process and to mitigate any conflicts of interest or claims of politicization,” and charged the Committee with full responsibility for drafting new Supervisory districts based on the 2020 U.S. Census.
The 2021 redistricting process will occur over a much shorter timeline than normal due to an extensive delay in the publication of the 2020 Census. Rather than the normal six to eight months, Wisconsin counties have only 13 weeks to draw new maps prior to the start of the spring election process, which starts with the circulation of nomination papers on Dec. 1.
Friday’s meeting will be livestreamed and archived via the County Legislative Information Center.