Madison, Wis. -- Today, the Wisconsin State Legislature passed the maps Governor Evers sent to the Supreme Court for consideration in Clarke v. WEC. When the Governor signs them, this will be a win for the people of Wisconsin and the fair maps movement. The Governor’s maps dismantle the 2011 partisan gerrymander, which guaranteed a dominant majority in the Legislature and thwarted the will of the people. For more than a decade, these maps have undermined Wisconsin’s progressive governing history, making elected officials unaccountable to their constituents in favor of big money donors and party agendas.

Under the Governor’s maps, Wisconsin voters will pick their elected officials - not the other way around.

Afraid that the Wisconsin Supreme Court would make things worse for them, the Legislature sent the Governor’s maps back to him for signature. We understand the skepticism of some, but this flawed process has created an opportunity for real change.

The Governor's maps are fair. They provide an opportunity for voters to elect responsive representatives, and satisfy the requirements of the Wisconsin Constitution. The voices of Wisconsin voters will no longer be silenced by gerrymandering. They will be heard on the issues they care about. This will make our democracy stronger and more inclusive.

We call on Governor Evers to sign this bill. Next, the process for redistricting in this state must be addressed and fixed. For far too long, both parties in our state legislature have chosen political gamesmanship over what’s best for the people of Wisconsin. We must work to create a nonpartisan redistricting process that is inclusive and prioritizes people over elected officials.

“Today, Wisconsin is the true winner,” declared Debra Cronmiller, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin and Chair of the Fair Maps Coalition, “For too long, the issues Wisconsinites care deeply about such as school funding, reproductive rights, clean air and water, economic security, and mental and physical health have been ignored by our elected officials while they have worked to ensure tax cuts for the wealthy, regulatory favors for big businesses, and cuts to services and programs needed by Wisconsin’s working families.”

Nick Ramos, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign asserted, “For all the activists across the state who sacrificed their blood, sweat, and tears in this movement, this is for you. We are not here today without your years of dedication. As we celebrate this moment in Wisconsin history, the job is not finished. We need a nonpartisan redistricting process in Wisconsin to ensure this state avoids falling into another partisan gerrymandering rabbit hole in the next cycle. Tomorrow is a new day in Wisconsin.”

###

Mission Statement of the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition: