SLAY THE DRAGON follows everyday people, outraged by what they see as an attack on the core democratic principle that every person’s vote should count equally. This election year, we’re joining together with grassroots partners to put an end to gerrymandering. Because this issue impacts each state differently, we’ve created a map to help you navigate how gerrymandering affects your state and community. SLAY THE DRAGON arrives on demand April 3.
Click on your state in the map above to find out what’s going on and how you can help.
We are partnering with organizations in Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin to support the creation of non-partisan redistricting commissions to protect votes across the country.
Click on your state in the map above to find out what’s going on and how you can help.
We are partnering with organizations in Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin to support the creation of non-partisan redistricting commissions to protect votes across the country.
SLAY THE DRAGON follows everyday people, outraged by what they see as an attack on the core democratic principle that every person’s vote should count equally. This election year, we’re joining together with grassroots partners to put an end to gerrymandering. Because this issue impacts each state differently, we’ve created a map to help you navigate how gerrymandering affects your state and community. SLAY THE DRAGON arrives on demand April 3.
Click on your state in the map above to find out what’s going on and how you can help.
We are partnering with organizations in Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin to support the creation of non-partisan redistricting commissions to protect votes across the country.
Click on your state in the map above to find out what’s going on and how you can help.
We are partnering with organizations in Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin to support the creation of non-partisan redistricting commissions to protect votes across the country.
What’s going on in Wisconsin
Process
Legislative Power
Wisconsin's state legislative and congressional lines are drawn by the Legislature via statute, and are subject to the Governor's veto. The Legislature can override vetoes with a two-thirds vote in each chamber.
People's Maps Commission
On January 27, 2020, Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order to create a nonstatutory, citizen redistricting commission.
-
The commission is meant to include members of each congressional district, members of Wisconsin's communities of interest, and redistricting experts. This commission shall conduct public hearings and create draft maps to submit to the Legislature.
-
These maps must meet the following criteria: free from partisan advantage; avoid diluting minority votes; be compact and contiguous; avoid splitting wards and municipalities; retain population cores; maintain traditional communities of interest; and prevent voter disenfranchisement.
-
Under state law, however, this commission will be advisory to the Governor. Republican legislators have already spoken against the executive order.
Criteria
In addition to the federal requirements of one person, one vote and the Voting Rights Act, Wisconsin law requires that state legislative districts be compact, contiguous, and preserve political subdivisions. There are no state law requirements for congressional districts.
Public Input
-
Under Wisconsin state law, there is no public input requirement. In 2011, there was one public hearing held regarding the legislative districts. None were held about the congressional map. It is unclear whether legislative hearings will be held again in the next cycle.
-
Gov. Evers' executive order commission is supposed to hold at least one public hearing in each of Wisconsin's eight congressional districts.
Issues
-
Wisconsin is home to some of the most extreme partisan gerrymanders in the US. It was the subject of the 2018 case of Gill v. Whitford.
-
The Wisconsin Assembly currently lacks a supermajority. Split-party control over redistricting is possible in 2021 because of Democratic Governor Tony Evers. Further split is possible because state legislative elections will take place in 2020. The Republicans hold a five-member majority in the state Senate.
-
Currently, there are companion bills, SB288/AB303 to create an Iowa-model redistricting process in Wisconsin.
Actions
In 2020, support state legislative candidates who favor fair districting, and campaign to prevent supermajorities from forming.
In 2021, use public input to push the Legislature towards drawing fair districts and to identify communities of interest.
-
Obtain Wisconsin redistricting data from OpenPrecincts.
-
Use software tools such as Dave's Redistricting App and Districtr to draw district maps showing either (a) what a fair map would look like, or (b) where the community you believe should be better represented is located.
Contacts
Data provided by the Princeton Gerrymandering Project