More to cheer about… Governor Tony Evers just ushered in a new day of democracy in Wisconsin by signing a new set of state legislative maps into state law. This legislative victory overturned one of the more egregious, extreme partisan gerrymanders in American political history. Republicans, in 2011, drew district lines that guaranteed that even landslide election losses wouldn’t cost them their majorities. Now in 2024, new maps, graded “A” for fairness by nonpartisan observer organizations (current maps scored an “F”) are the law of the land and will restore fairness and power of the vote to this key purple state.
Steady work by activists and voters brought about these fair maps. Ben Wikler, Chair of the Wisconsin Dems, described the continuous effort: “In 2018, 2020, and 2023, voters built a new progressive majority on the State Supreme Court. By electing Governor Evers and preventing GOP supermajorities, they stopped hard-right maps from being signed into law. And last year, a civic uprising prevented Republicans from impeaching Janet Protasiewicz. …Every one of those fights was a necessary step towards this moment.”
Your postcards, phone calls, texts, and donations helped bring about this victory by supporting the election of Judge Janet Protasiewicz to the WI Supreme Court. Her election flipped the court, which then could consider the issue of gerrymandering legally and equitably.
So pat yourselves on the back, celebrate with your Wisconsin allies, and keep working for justice and democracy. Once again, your activism, determination and hard work have paid off in protecting and strengthening our democracy!