Federal Court Finds Legislative Maps Drawn by Republicans Represent Unconstitutional Gerrymander
Court finds maps drawn by Republicans were “intended to burden the representational rights of Democratic voters”
Madison – Today State Representative Katrina Shankland (D – Stevens Point) released the following statement reacting to a federal court’s ruling in Whitford v. Gill that found Wisconsin’s legislative maps, drawn by Republicans in 2011, to be unconstitutional:
“This is tremendous news for our state and our democracy. Too many feel that the system is rigged – and today’s ruling recognizes that the Assembly districts in Wisconsin were rigged to diminish the voices of Democratic voters. In their ruling, the court clearly recognizes that the legislative maps drawn exclusively by Republican lawmakers in 2011 are unconstitutional and intended to dilute the voting power of Democrats across the state.
“Voters should be the ones choosing their representatives, not the other way around. The shady back-room dealings of Republicans who signed a secrecy oath as they re-drew our legislative maps in 2011 flipped that script as they carved up our state into as many Republican-leaning districts as possible. The court finding the maps to be unconstitutional is a big win for the people of Wisconsin.
“This is a historic ruling for the health of our state’s democracy and for Wisconsinites across the state who feel their voice has been silenced by power-drunk Republican legislators who drew the unconstitutional maps. With a majority of Wisconsin citizens feeling like the state is heading in the wrong direction under Republican leadership, today’s ruling is what I hope will be the first of many steps forward in ensuring the needs of working Wisconsinites will not be ignored. Thank you to the citizens who brought this case forward and bravely stood up for the voting rights of all Wisconsinites.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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