MADISON – Today, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed Assembly Joint Resolution 80, where Republicans have outlined their plan for redistricting. Rep. Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire) released the following statement in response:
“Republicans are using AJR 80 to set up their legal argument for when their maps are inevitably challenged. Republicans want to be able to say that this map drawing process was made at the will of the legislature, even though Republicans were the only ones who voted in favor of this resolution”.
“This resolution is a direct attack on our state’s voting rights. Last time around, Republicans moved hundreds of thousands of people into new districts to benefit them politically. This time, Republicans would benefit by sticking as close to our gerrymandered maps as possible, so they’ve changed their tune”.
“Our democracy should work for everyone in Wisconsin, no matter your zip code. Wisconsin should be a state where people have equal say no matter their zip code. That starts with having maps that aren’t biased and slanted toward one political party. That is why my Democratic colleagues and I offered Assembly Substitute Amendment 1, which seeks to better reflect the will of the voters by stating the maps should not be decided by politics but by a fair, transparent, and nonpartisan map drawing process. Unfortunately, this amendment did not pass as Republicans continue to double down on their gerrymandering efforts”.
