We all know lawmakers are less responsive to their constituents when they draw the maps that ensure their own re-election, also known as gerrymandering. Across the state, there is broad support to end gerrymandering: referenda and resolutions show that over 70 percent of Wisconsin voters want a nonpartisan map-drawing process. However, in the last mapping process in 2011, the lawmakers in power ignored public opinion and gerrymandered the maps to stay in power.
By law, maps will be drawn in 2021. Now is the time to make our voices heard and show our support for a nonpartisan mapping process. Every vote must count and legislators should be held accountable.
Beginning today, advocates of nonpartisan redistricting, including members of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, the Fair Maps Coalition Grassroots Team, and others, will begin a campaign of email messages to state legislators demanding a nonpartisan, non-gerrymandered mapping process in 2021. Please join us so that legislators hear from their constituents from all over the state!
Contact your legislators today by customizing this email template to express your concerns about the impacts of partisan gerrymandering. Here are a few things to remember while filling out the template:
- Do not make any changes within the brackets. By filling in your full name and address, the fields "[@advFirst]", "[@advLast]" and "[@advCity]" will be automatically filled in with your information.
- There is no need to send two emails. Both your State Senate and State Assembly legislators appear when you enter your address. An email will be sent personally to both lawmakers when you hit "Send Email".
- Customize your message. To have more of an impact, please add additional information about how long you have lived in Wisconsin, and how gerrymandering has impacted your community. For more information on the consequences of gerrymandering in Wisconsin, please view this document.
- Share this campaign with your networks. Please pass along the email template to your networks on social media or otherwise. There will be an option to share on Facebook and Twitter in the template.
