The long era of Republican gerrymandering in Wisconsin may finally be coming to an end. Last week, the Republican-controlled legislature approved new maps submitted by Democratic Governor Tony Evers that will significantly reduce GOP majorities in both chambers. Evers signed the legislation on Monday. “It is a new day in Wisconsin, and today is a
[[{“value”:”Democratic gerrymandering in Wisconsin may ultimately be coming to an end after a protracted period.
Democratic Governor Tony Evers ‘ fresh maps, which will significantly lower GOP majorities in both chambers, were approved by the Republican-controlled legislature next week. Evers ratified the law on Monday.
At the state Capitol, Evers remarked,” It is a new day in Wisconsin, and today is wonderful day for democracy.”
After the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned the existing GOP-drawn lines in December and ordered the creation of new maps, Republicans thought Evers ‘ maps were the least bad option for them. Democrats could have won a majority in both chambers of the legislature if some proposals had been put forth before the court, which hired two impartial experts to review the submissions.
Democratic state senator Van Wanggaard stated that Republicans were never” stretched between a rock and hard place.” It came down to whether you wanted to be poisoned, shot, stabbed, or led to the guillotine. We made the decision to be stabbed but that we could fight another day.
Wisconsin has been one of the nation’s most polarized states since 2011. Republicans hold 64 of 99 state assembly seats and 22 of 33 state republic seats, while Democrats have won 14 of Wisconsin’s 17 previous state elections. The GOP is just two seats short of a supermajority in the assembly, which would allow them to override Evers ‘ vetoes, and it currently controls the state’s senate. These ostensibly voter-proof majorities have made it possible for them to constantly undermine Democratic candidates ‘ victories while thwarting the wishes of the state’s voters.
According to projections made by Marquette University research fellow John Johnson based on 2022 election data, the GOP edge would be reduced to 53- 46 in the assembly and 17 – 16 at the republic under Evers ‘ maps, making the legislature much more economical and reflective of the toss-up nature of battleground state.
Governor Evers receives a significant victory today, though it pains me to say it, according to Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.
Pro-democracy organizations praised the exceptional case of republican agreement. The maps, according to Common Cause Wisconsin, “are a significant improvement over the current, hyper-partisan gerrymandered Republican maps now in place.”
However, many Democrats continued to have doubts about the GOP’s motivations for abruptly adopting Evers ‘ plan after nearly unanimously voting against them in the legislature. ” If you think Wisconsin Republicans intend to run for governor,” Democratic state senator Latonya Johnson said,” I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. Evers maps in November.
Democrats speculated that Republicans passed Evers ‘ maps without giving them much notice or holding any public hearings, not only to stop the Wisconsin Supreme Court from selecting a map that is better for Democrats after Janet Protasiewicz’s victory in April, but also so that they could challenge the new maps in front of the more conservative federal courts, specifically the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Wisconsin Democratic Congressman Mark Pocan told Democracy Docket that it is highly probable that there will be a challenge in the 7th Circuit Court if the Republicans sign these novel maps, the governor’s maps.
However, Evers eventually came to the conclusion that, regardless of the reasons Republicans had for supporting them, he could never pass up the chance to enact his own maps.
Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, declared that” the long, gloomy night of ultra-partisan gerrymandering is over, and the Badger State is now witnessing the dawn of a new day for democracy.””}]] Democratic gerrymandering in Wisconsin may ultimately be coming to an end after a protracted period. Democratic Governor Tony Evers ‘ fresh maps, which will significantly lower GOP majorities in both chambers, were approved by the Republican-controlled legislature next week. On Monday, Evers signed the legislation. In Wisconsin, today is a new day, and it is
The long era of Republican gerrymandering in Wisconsin may finally be coming to an end. Last week, the Republican-controlled legislature approved new maps submitted by Democratic Governor Tony Evers that will significantly reduce GOP majorities in both chambers. Evers signed the legislation on Monday. “It is a new day in Wisconsin, and today is a
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/02/republican-gerrymandering-new-maps-wisconsin-tony-evers/
