Follow the Redistricting Process on City of Milwaukee website

The Common Council has created a modified and updated webpage (city.milwaukee.gov/redistricting) featuring key information that the public can access regarding the redistricting process, according to Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, chair of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee.

The United States conducts a census of the entire population every 10 years. This information is used for many purposes, including the distribution of federal and state revenues and the drawing of boundaries for election districts at the federal, state and local levels.

Alderman Hamilton said Wisconsin law requires that once the Census data is available, local governments and the state legislature are required to adjust the boundaries of election districts so that they are as equal as possible in population. The webpage explains the redistricting process, timeline, and will also provide the 2020 Census data for each aldermanic district.

“But this time, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, things are different,” Alderman Hamilton said. “There was a significant delay in the release of 2020 Census data to the 50 states and that pushed our process back considerably. We finally received our data and our local redistricting process is just now beginning.”

New: Click here to view 2020 Census results.  To view the Census visualization click here.

Counties are first required to develop a tentative supervisory district plan for their county boards. After that, municipalities are required to revise the boundaries of election wards and then their city council districts. Subsequently, school districts and the state Legislature are also required to update the boundaries of their election districts.
The redistricting process for the City of Milwaukee will be overseen by the Common Council’s Judiciary and Legislation Committee. The committee will be supported by Legislative Reference Bureau staff trained in geographic information systems and redistricting laws and procedures. Final election wards and aldermanic districts will be adopted by the Common Council.

Alderman Hamilton said the process will include public hearings (held before the Judiciary and Legislation Committee) where citizen review and input will be front and center. “This will be a transparent and public process involving feedback and review from the public at key junctures. All voices with input into the details will be heard,” he said.

Timeline
The usual timeline for local redistricting has been significantly altered by the delay of Census information.  However, local redistricting is now getting underway, as the State of Wisconsin has distributed Census data to its 72 counties. The remainder of the timeline as presently understood is provided below.  Please note that these dates are subject to change.

September 1, 2021:  “Late” date for receipt of Census data from Milwaukee County

September 15, 2021:  Milwaukee County adopts its tentative district plan and transmits it to the City.

October 4, 2021:  The Judiciary and Legislation Committee hears proposed ward plan.

October 11, 2021:  First notice provided of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee hearing relating to district plan.

October 12, 2021:  The Common Council adopts ward plan.

October 18, 2021:  Second notice provided of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee hearing relating to district plan.

October 18, 2021:  Ward plan due back to Milwaukee County.

November 1, 2021:  The Judiciary and Legislation Committee hears proposed district plan (special mtg).

November 2, 2021:  The Common Council adopts final district plan.

November 10, 2021:  Final district plan due back to Milwaukee County.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.