The Sconi

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers publicly congratulated the People's Maps Commission recently after the release of its proposal for new maps outlining the state’s controversial political boundaries. 

The nine-member commission reviewed more than 2,000 documents and consulted with experts for more than a year to develop a nonpartisan method of redistricting.

The current maps, created in 2011 under a Republican-controlled Legislature, have been criticized as the most gerrymandered in America and have helped Republicans maintain control of the Legislature for a decade. 

“For years, the people of this state have asked their elected officials for nonpartisan redistricting. For years, the people of this state have demanded better and fairer maps. And for years, the people of this state have gone ignored,” Evers said in a statement released by his office. “The gerrymandered maps Republicans passed a decade ago have enabled members of this Legislature to comfortably ignore the people who elected them. The fact that Wisconsinites have asked for nonpartisan redistricting for years and their elected officials wouldn’t listen—and still aren’t—is the case in point for fair maps."

According to the release, 56 counties have passed referenda or resolutions supporting a nonpartisan redistricting process and fair maps.

According to a 2019 Marquette University Law Poll, more than 70% of voters prefer redistricting done by a nonpartisan commission.

“Wisconsinites want fair maps, and they want nonpartisan redistricting. So, today, I’m calling on Republicans to take up these maps prepared by the People’s Maps Commission without delay and urging the people of Wisconsin to join me by calling, emailing and writing their elected leaders to do the same,” Evers said in his statement.

The commission’s maps were released a week after Republicans presented their own proposed maps during a public hearing. The GOP proposal is largely based on the 2011 maps and attracted hundreds of citizens who opposed the proposal. Evers has said he will veto the Republican’s proposal if it remains unchanged.

“Wisconsinites won’t stand for gerrymandering 2.0, neither will I,” Evers said. “So let’s be clear today, if the Republican maps come to my desk as they’re currently drafted, I’ll veto them. It’s just as simple as that.”

The newly released Republican maps received an “F” rating from the Princeton Gerrymandering Project, citing “significant Republican advantages.