The Sconi

The upcoming August 13 partisan primary election in Wisconsin will determine the nominees for the Wisconsin Assembly and State Senate for the November 5 general election. Democratic, Republican, and Independent candidates are currently presenting their positions on various issues to voters.

During the 2023-24 Legislative Session, nonpartisan redistricting reform emerged as a significant political issue for many citizens in Wisconsin. This topic has gained increasing attention since 2011 and has been prominently covered by both state and national media.

In December, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled against the constitutionality of partisan gerrymandered state legislative districts established during 2021-22. These maps were initially vetoed by Governor Tony Evers but were imposed regardless. The Court mandated new state legislative voting maps if the Legislature and Governor could not agree on constitutional maps. In February, the Legislature passed and implemented fairer state legislative maps submitted by Gov. Evers, which he signed into law as ACT 94 on February 19. These maps will be effective for the upcoming 2024 election and beyond.

However, these fairer voting maps will expire after 2031 following the next decennial Census when legislative districts must be reconfigured based on population changes. To prevent a recurrence of gerrymandering seen in previous years, there is a push to change Wisconsin's redistricting process.

Wisconsin voters need to know if candidates elected to the Assembly or State Senate this November support legislation during the upcoming 2025 session that would establish an independent nonpartisan redistricting process. This pledge aims to ensure no political party can manipulate voting districts for its advantage.

Common Cause Wisconsin (CC/WI) has facilitated voter access to information about candidates' positions on this issue since 2014 by maintaining an updated list of those who support nonpartisan redistricting reform on their website.

Candidates or their proxies who support this pledge should contact CC/WI via email at jheck@commoncause.org or by mail at Common Cause Wisconsin, P.O. Box 2597, Madison, WI 53701-2597. Even incumbent legislators running for re-election must proactively reach out to be included on this list.

The list of supportive candidates will be linked on the Common Cause Wisconsin homepage and updated regularly until the August 13 primary election. Winning primary candidates who have indicated their support will remain listed until November 5.

All candidates filed with the Wisconsin Elections Commission for the August primary are being contacted by CC/WI at their official campaign email addresses regarding this opportunity.

Redistricting reform is deemed critical for restoring a functional and less politically polarized state legislature responsive to citizens rather than political interests focused on retaining power. A majority of Wisconsinites reportedly support nonpartisan redistricting reform.

Jay Heck

CC/WI Executive Director