The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 6, 2023
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Politico – Liberal judge Janet Protasiewicz won a seat on Wisconsin’s state Supreme Court, flipping the body’s ideological majority.Wisconsin Public Radio – In the political powder keg of 2011, Wisconsin redistricting passed without protest
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – New election data highlights the ongoing impact of 2011 GOP redistricting in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Public Radio – How the 2011 political district map changed the game for Wisconsin
All About Redistricting: Wisconsin – State Summary Data
Wisconsin Public Radio – Wisconsin Supreme Court chooses maps drawn by Republicans in new redistricting decisionRepublican Eagle – Court change could help proponents of new maps
Groups Taking Action:
Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, Common Cause Wisconsin, Fair Elections WI, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, League of Women Voters WI
Today’s Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
While the historic arraignment of former President Donald Trump dominated the news April 4th, a historic Supreme Court election in Wisconsin may shift the state’s political landscape – and maybe even Congress.
In a 55% to 45% win, Judge Janet Protasiewicz soundly defeated former Justice Daniel Kelly, shifting the Wisconsin Supreme Court from conservative to liberal. Her win may have a profound impact on pending issues with the court, most urgently, redistricting. If the state’s badly gerrymandered voting districts can be dismantled and a proper representative state assembly be elected in this almost 50/50 state, it could impact reproductive rights, gun legislation, voting rights and other important issues.
In 2011, led by Governor Scott Walker & the national Red Map Project, Wisconsin’s legislature gerrymandered state assembly, senate and Congressional maps. Despite receiving less than 50% of the vote, the 2011 maps engineered a 60 to 39 advantage in the State Assembly, and retained control of the State Senate in 2012. The further gerrymandered 2021 maps resulted in a 64-35 advantage in 2022. Who upheld the 2021 map previously vetoed by Governor Tony Evers? The Wisconsin Supreme Court.
It’s not clear whether the Protasiewicz win will have an immediate impact on fair redistricting, or if it will have to wait until 2031.
We have links to articles, and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
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