Ethusiasm for Fair Maps Planning

LWV of OZAUKEE COUNTY is a great example of how local Wisconsin Leagues have been actively engaged in Fair Maps programming since LWVUS launched its nationwide People Powered Fair Maps™ redistricting program. LWVUS’s Fair Maps campaign is directed at reforming redistricting at the state level in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2019 failure to rule on partisan gerrymandering. The Ozaukee County League took immediate action last fall by co-sponsoring a “People Powered Election Maps” forum that drew a large crowd of 78, an excellent turn out for the moderate size League. Dale Schultz, former Republican State Assemblyman and Co-Chair of Fair Elections Project-Wisconsin Campaign and Jay Heck, Executive Director of Common Cause, spoke and fielded questions. 

"The forum was an educational opportunity for Wisconsin voters to learn about the process for redrawing state election maps every 10 years,” stated Ozaukee League Voter Service Chair Louise Mollinger, who also noted, “The presenters acknowledged that both political parties have engaged in partisan gerrymandering when redrawing election maps.” The Ozaukee League purchased and distributed Fair Maps yard signs and have since made nonpartisan redistricting a top priority for contacting their legislators and writing letters to the editor.

LWV Ozaukee County is commended for taking quick programming action on Fair Maps. Many other local Leagues have also joined the push for public education and advocacy on the issue and we hope this inspires more to follow suit. If you would like help strategizing a Fair Maps program for your League, consider attending the Fair Maps Organizing Workshop in Wausau, February 28 - March 1, presented by Wisconsin Voices and the Wisconsin Leadership Development Project (WiLD Project).  A Toolkit for Banning Gerrymandering in Wisconsin is also available on the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign website.

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