MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsinites showed up to make their voices heard about Republicans’ proposed gerrymandered maps in a public hearing today. The GOP is attempting to once again rig the maps in their favor in order to cement their legislative majorities for another decade.
Wisconsinites overwhelmingly support nonpartisan redistricting. Over the last several years, 55 Wisconsin counties, representing nearly 83 percent of Wisconsin residents, have either held referendum votes or have had resolutions approved by a County Board supporting nonpartisan redistricting.
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler released the following statement:
“Republican legislators in Wisconsin have lost sight of how a democracy works — people choose their elected officials, not the other way around. The process of drawing legislative maps should be fair, transparent, and nonpartisan, but as we’ve seen, Republicans will stop at nothing to hold onto power.
“We’re still paying the price for last decade’s rigged Republican maps, which were approved behind closed doors by lobbyists and GOP lawmakers without any public input. Since losing the governorship in 2018, Republican legislators have used their gerrymandered majorities to block and obstruct — and at times not even show up to their jobs as legislators.
“After living under a decade of Republican gerrymandering, it’s time that Wisconsin receives the fair maps it deserves. Gov. Evers is committed to passing fair maps that are crafted transparently — not maps created in a tightly controlled room that allow Republicans to maintain their gerrymandered grip on Wisconsin.”
