MADISON –Today, State Representative Todd Novak (R – Dodgeville) and State Representative Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City) introduced a nonpartisan redistricting bill based on the “Iowa Model” in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Like the “Iowa Model,” this bill creates a nonpartisan redistricting commission to draw legislative maps in accordance with state and federal law, to be voted on by the legislature and signed into law by the governor.
“We have long supported a nonpartisan redistricting approach,” said Rep. Tranel. “We have seen how well this model has worked in the State of Iowa and feel it could be equally effective here in Wisconsin.”
Currently, the Legislature draws district boundaries after every U.S. census to reflect population changes and the governor approves them. Iowa’s approach to redistricting has long been seen by scholars and political observers as the most fair and transparent in the nation. The agency drafts districts that are uniform in population, compact and contiguous which puts fairness and integrity above partisan politics.
Although the Legislature is currently under Republican control and current maps are viewed as favoring the Republican Party, Rep. Novak and Rep. Tranel represent districts that are among the most competitive in the legislature. Both representatives have advocated and previously co-sponsored legislation based on the “Iowa Model” before co-authoring the most recently introduced bill.
Rep. Novak added, “This is a piece of legislation we have worked on for years. After nearly a decade of listening to constituents ask for this to be implemented, I am thrilled that we have finally been able to convince our Republican colleagues that this is the way forward. I look forward to the Governor signing this historic piece of legislation into law soon.”
Representatives Novak and Tranel represent portions of southwestern Wisconsin. Representative Novak can be reached by phone at (608)-237-9151 or by email at rep.novak@legis.wisconsin.gov. Representative Tranel can be reached by phone at (608)-237-9149 or by email at rep.tranel@legis.wisconsin.gov