The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 15, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
In a game of chicken with the Wisconsin Supreme Court, GOP legislators passed somewhat competitive redistricting maps proposed Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, to avoid having truly fair maps forced upon them by the court.
Gov. Evers’ state legislative maps were among seven submitted to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in January after it deemed the GOP-dominated legislature’s gerrymandered and non-contiguous maps unconstitutional. In its ruling, it said if the legislature couldn’t pass fair maps, the court would pick them instead.
A Marquette University analysis showed that the Governor’s maps were not as competitive – and therefore more favorable to a GOP majority – than other submissions. The legislature had passed a more partisan version of Evers’ maps in January, but it was passed late at night with no public hearing or input. It abandoned those maps when the court’s redistricting consultants found them not to be constitutional.
In a last-ditch effort to hang on to its power, the GOP majority passed the Evers maps February 13th, again with no public hearing, and included a provision that the maps not be implemented until Nov. 2024. Until then, any special or recall elections would take place under current gerrymandered maps. The Wisconsin Examiner reports that Gov. Evers previously said he would sign the bill if there were no changes.
We have more on this evolving story at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Wisconsin Public Radio – Wisconsin Supreme Court overturns Republican-drawn legislative maps
Wisconsin Examiner – Seven sets of legislative maps submitted to Supreme Court, most would reduce GOP advantage
Marquette University – Analysis of Proposed Legislative Redistricting Plans submitted to the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Wisconsin Examiner – Senate Republicans pass last-ditch effort to institute maps that protect incumbents
Wisconsin Examiner – Legislature adopts Evers’ maps in second attempt to choose before state Supreme Court
Democracy Docket – Wisconsin Legislature Passes Evers’ Legislative Maps With Poison Pill
Groups Taking Action:
Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, League of Women Voters WI, Common Cause WI
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