End Congressional Gerrymandering in Wisconsin

To the Chair:

On Feb. 19, 2024, Governor Tony Evers signed new legislative district maps into law that were much fairer than the previous gerrymandered maps. The following elections resulted in a more balanced Legislature. That is a good thing. Wisconsinites support fair maps.

The gerrymandered congressional maps were not changed in 2024, even though the governor requested the state Supreme Court to take up that motion. The gerrymanderers in 2010 carved out districts guaranteeing congressional seat dominance by one party in a purple state. Statewide elections are close, but the 6-2 balance of Congressional seats is not at all close.

There is a current request that the Wisconsin Supreme Court set up a three-judge panel to decide whether the congressional maps drawn 14 years ago are unconstitutional. The request used a statute that was established by Republicans in the Scott Walker era that states: "Not more than 5 days after an action to challenge the apportionment of a congressional or state legislative district is filed, the clerk of courts for the county where the action is filed shall notify the clerk of the supreme court of the filing. Upon receiving notice under s 801.50 (4m), the supreme court shall appoint a panel consisting of three circuit court judges to hear the matter."

The action was filed in Dane County and awaits action by the Supreme Court.

The "least change" argument, which blocked previous congressional redistricting, has been rejected by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, so there should be no reason not to proceed with the three-judge panel being established and taking on congressional redistricting now.

Everyone who supports fair maps should vigorously support this effort.

The congressional gerrymandering that has impeded democracy in Wisconsin for over a decade can be ended.

Damian Barta,
Spring Green