[LWVNM Action] Wisconsin Governor stands up for fair redistricting

[Richard Mason]

*The question is: will New Mexico Policymakers do the same?
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/479599-wisconsin-governor-rolls-out-proposal-for-redistricting-committee
<https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/479599-wisconsin-governor-rolls-out-proposal-for-redistricting-committee>*

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) rolled out a proposal Wednesday that would
create a nonpartisan committee of residents to redraw the Badger State’s
electoral map.

In his State of the State address, Evers introduced the People’s Maps
Commission, which would be composed of Wisconsin residents and be tasked
with crafting a state electoral map plan to be presented to legislators.

“Our nonpartisan redistricting commission will consist of the people of our
state—not elected officials, not lobbyists, not high-paid consultants. The
People’s Maps Commission will visit every congressional district, hear
directly from folks across our state, and draw fair, impartial maps for the
Legislature to take up next year,” Evers said.

“I believe, and Wisconsinites do, too, that people should get to choose
their elected officials, not the other way around. So, when the People’s
Maps are presented to the Legislature next year, I hope they will receive
unanimous, bipartisan support.”

Wisconsin is just one of several states
<https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/460169-redistricting-fights-rage-with-future-of-congress-at-stake>
 in the midst of a fierce redistricting fight as Democrats and Republicans
argue over the fairness of existing drawings of congressional districts.

Wisconsin appears headed for an impasse over redistricting next year with
the Republican-controlled state Legislature opposed to Evers’s
redistricting efforts, although they lack a large enough majority to
override a potential veto of a plan of their own.

The Legislature, which is in charge of redistricting, does not have to take
into account the maps created by the commission.

“He can form whatever kind of fake, phony, partisan process he wants to
create, but I have no doubt in the end we will do it the way we have always
have, which is to follow the constitution,” Republican Assembly Speaker
Robin Vos told The Associated Press
<https://apnews.com/86670cf694caeffb440433abb2b8fed5> of Evers’s proposal.

However, the introduction of Evers's commission was hailed by redistricting
advocates.

“I am proud to stand with @GovEvers tonight as he calls for non-partisan
redistricting in Wisconsin. In 2011 Republicans drew some of the worst
gerrymanders in the country. It’s time to change that and make things fair.
It’s time to give power back to the people-where it belongs,” said former
Attorney General Eric Holder <https://thehill.com/people/eric-holder>, who
has dedicated himself to redistricting efforts since his time helming the
Justice Department.
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