Redistricting Ruling Victory for Wisconsin Democracy
People should get to pick their legislators, not vice versa
(MADISON) – Representative Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) released the following statement relating to today’s court ruling ordering the Wisconsin Legislature to redraw Assembly and Senate Districts before November 1, 2017:
“The cornerstone of democracy is that the people should get to pick their legislators, not that legislators get to pick their voters. Today’s court ruling is a victory for Wisconsinites and democracy in our state, which has been under near-constant attack for the last six years. Voting should be fair, easy, and accessible, and today’s ruling only reinforces what Democrats have been saying for years.
“I look forward to having a transparent redrawing process and having public input to ensure our districts reflect the values and priorities of the people of our state, not Republican schemes to circumvent the will of voters. The people of our state must continue to be vigilant to ensure Wisconsin Republicans are held accountable in drawing fair, representative districts for our state.”
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.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by State Sen. Melissa Agard, Senate Democratic Leader
Wait, what?!?
a) this is the first time i’ve heard of this. i don’t see this news posted anywhere else.
b) the wisconsin legislature?! Is that who we really want drawing the maps? Because they did such a great job the first time…
c) by november 2017? Really, they think it’s going to take a YEAR? if past is precedent (and it often is), they’ll submit their revised map, which will be just as bad if not worse as the original, on or about nov 1, 2017, at which point they’ll be a whole ‘nother legal squabble about how badly gerrymandered the maps are. now you’re just used up about half the time you have until the next election, and haven’t gotten ANYWHERE!
ah, now i can see the news http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/federal-judges-order-wisconsin-legislature-to-create-scott-walker-to/article_730a3dfd-b5b4-53f4-a5a6-80c5362c40d6.html
“Although state actors in this case certainly intended the partisan effect that they in fact produced, the record does not permit us to ascribe to them an unwillingness to adhere to an order of this Court or to conform the allocation of seats in the state Legislature to constitutional requirements,” the judges wrote.
The record – the map they drew in 2010 – shows PRECISELY an unwillingness to … conform the allocation of seats in the state Legislature to constitutional requirements”, as does every single court filing defendants have filed in the case. Presumably which the judges have read.
“The plaintiffs originally asked the court to redraw the state’s maps, offering a variety of deadlines and scenarios. But the court Friday distanced itself from state-based affairs and said the state Legislature has demonstrated no “malice or intransigence” that would justify the court stripping its map-making power.”
in·tran·si·gence
inˈtransəjəns,inˈtranzəjəns/
noun
refusal to change one’s views or to agree about something.
“The state Department of Justice said it plans to appeal. It had asked the court to delay an order that would create new maps pending a review by the U.S. Supreme Court.
“We are reviewing the court’s order, but we expect to file an appeal with the Supreme Court and seek prompt reversal of this decision,” DOJ spokesman Johnny Koremenos wrote in an email Friday.”
If I recall correctly, defendants literally said in the very briefs upon which this decision is made – that a deadline should not be set because they are going to appeal the decision to redraw the maps to the U.S. Supreme Court.
They literally disagreed with judge’s order and refused to comply with it before the judges even issued their order.
“The plaintiffs originally asked the court to redraw the state’s maps, offering a variety of deadlines and scenarios. But the court Friday distanced itself from state-based affairs and said the state Legislature has demonstrated no “malice or intransigence” that would justify the court stripping its map-making power.”
malice
noun
the intention or desire to do evil; ill will.
“I bear no malice toward anybody”
LAW
wrongful intention, especially as increasing the guilt of certain offenses.
“…state actors in this case certainly intended the partisan effect that they in fact produced…” the judges wrote.