Republicans Say Too Late to Redraw Redistricting Maps; Trial Continues
Had legislators decided to revisit maps, they would have had until March to redraw them. The trial, sparked by challenges from Democrats and Latinos, will continue today, Feb. 22.
An attorney representing top state Republicans told three federal judges Tuesday night they were willing to revisit district maps but they didn't believe they had the power to do so.
Republican lawmakers were asked earlier Tuesday to consider redrawing the new legislative and congressional district boundary maps, with challenges from Democrats and Latinos in mind, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
However, the attorney, Dan Kelly, said he believed a 1954 opinion by the state Supreme Court wouldn't allow for any changes, arguing lawmakers were only allowed to make changes to maps once a decade, the newspaper reports.
Those challenging the state over the maps say they disagree and believe the new boundaries can be changed.
Legislators are constitutionally required to redistrict every 10 years based on new census population figures and demographic changes. With legal challenges aside, the maps go into effect later this year.
Here in the 21st Senate, 62nd and 63rd Assembly districts, things could change rather dramatically if the maps stand up to court scrutiny. In the Senate, the new 21st District would roughly encompass the Cities of Racine and Kenosha with bits of Mount Pleasant and Somers as well while the new 22nd District would shoehorn around the cities for most of the suburban and rural areas of both Racine and Kenosha Counties, creating one each predominantly Democratic and Republican district.
In the Assembly, the districts would essentially flip, creating a more conservative district on the northern area of the county currently and carving out a mixed Democratic/Republican area through the southern and parts of the western edge of the County.
The 21st District is currently represented by State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine). New maps would move him into the 22nd District while State Sen. Bob Wirch (D-Kenosha) would have to either move or not run to retain his seat in the new 21st District.
In the Assembly, the 62nd District is represented by Rep. Cory Mason (D-Racine) while Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) represents the 63rd District. If the maps hold, each Representative would continue to hold office in their new district but they would also have to meet and depend on new groups of constituents for re-election.
The State Legislature has voted that any redistricting maps will not go into affect until after November 2012. Wanggaard almost certainly faces a recall election sometime later this spring or summer, but that election will take place in the current 21st District. Former Sen. John Lehman, whom Wanggaard defeated in Nov. 2010, has announced he will run against Wanggaard again.
GearHead
10:58 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Such kerfluffle over redistricting. Funny how this always tends to end up in court where a judge gets to draw the lines. That is, until this year, where Republicans with clear majorities can do so without Democrat interference. To the winners go the spoils. The law is quite clear about this, regardless of how much Democrats and Latinos gnash their teeth.
Heather Asiyanbi
11:20 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Now that I need to find the information, of course, I can't, but I do remember reading that a change was suggested for the process of redistricting. Perhaps that the courts do it instead of the legislature to avoid this never-ending cycle of court challenges ... but if that is what I read, what do you think about that?
GearHead
3:45 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Heather, the courts (arbitrator) have done it in the past, but that is because the Assembly is usually Republican, and the Senate is often held by Democrats. In this environment, nothing gets agreed to and for the sake of moving forward the courts end up drawing the lines to nobody's satisfaction. But today we have clear majorities in both houses, and the law is clear... regardless of legal challenges by the usual perpetually offended types.
skinnyDUDE
12:15 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Legislature has always done it . I dont suppose these groups had any issue when democratsmade the changes. The fight for so called fairenss only applies when Democrats lose power based on votes of the people . Courts dont have the authority to draw districts. Its not a legal matter it is a legislative matter! The hypocrisy on the left is incredible!
Heather Asiyanbi
12:35 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I think a non-partisan body needs to draw the districts - we've seen too often how this gets crazy when one side or the other has the majority. Perhaps the Legislative Fiscal Bureau? I don't know ... but this should be a non-partisan activity to make as fair as possible for the voter, who, by the way, seems to be the forgotten party in all this!
James R Hoffa
1:39 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
@Heather A -
But where exactly do you find truly non-partisan people? Just because a governmental agency is created as being non-partisan, doesn't mean that the people in those agencies aren't partisan - after all, I bet each and every one of those people cast a ballot on election day, and I highly doubt that they consistently only ever vote for a write in or an actual independent candidate.
As skinnyDUDE correctly points out, it's not within the defined governmental powers of the judiciary to engage in drawing the district maps, as there wouldn't be an available and suitable check a balance on the judiciary's power in such regard. To assign the responsibility of drawing the maps to another branch of government wouldn't change anything.
So unfortunately, the best system is actually the one we already have in place - having our duly elected representatives do it, while the judiciary acts as the check and balance. It's just a part of our democratic republic system of government in which the majority rules.
GearHead
3:57 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Heather, non-partisan bodies haven't exactly been fair. Let's look at the Government Accountability Board (GAB) for example. How can a non-partisan board rule against the Republican party EVERY TIME? It is laughable to suggest it has acted fair in any way. No thanks, we don't need another non-partisan board. We have enough of them already with RUSD and Gateway.
I would love to know the political persuasion of anyone who is either elected or appointed to any board that has the ability to levy taxes or make legal rulings. That includes the court system. It is a farce that we are led to believe a judge doesn't have a political philosopy. This is why conservative ones tend to get elected, much to the dismay of liberals. So their work-around for it is suggesting the WI supreme court has its judges appointed... by guess what... a non-partisan panel! No thanks! We are on to such nonsense. Conservative judges will always win, (when they are known to be conservative) just like conservative school board members, county executives, et. al. will win.
Cynthia
8:33 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
From my understanding from a debate held last year..... the maps were computer generated seeing as 10 years later there is that technology..... Not sure how the computer program can tell if they are dem or republican..... Also it was noted in this debate that the dems had a lawsuit early in 2011 demanding the maps done... once they were done they complained the Republicans hurried the maps through... then complained they were gerrymandered..... funny how it was brought up that 10 years ago the dems changed the maps BY HAND after they were completed by the ones hired to do them..... talk about gerrymanding...
mau
8:25 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I have the final solution. No matter what party is in control when a new census comes around, always let the democrats draw the boundaries. They seem to be the only ones who know how to do it right. Then we can go one step further and just let the courts run everything. Power to the people!
Heather Asiyanbi
7:59 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
@mau - I couldn't help but laugh in that "not really funny" kind of way because I think what you said echoes the frustration everyone feels when these types of games get played.
Cynthia
9:54 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Well......... this is good information........
http://elections.wispolitics.com/2012/02/asst-ag-argues-no-legal-basis-for.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
Downtown Brown
7:58 pm on Monday, February 27, 2012
Heather it's not a game. The system is one of the checks and balances where the Winner gets the Spoils. The GOP has fought back for almost a Century to retake control of our Govt. For the first time in 80 years they hold all the levers. Let them create the safe districts they believe in..and in ten years we'll see how well it worked. The Dems are challenging based on Racial preferences..which is simply unconstitutional. Period! The decision coming out this fall from SCOTUS will back me up on this. We are not Black, Brown and White Americans we Are Americans. PERIOD. Now it's true certain constituencies vote more Dem or Rep . If I look at the map created for our area..it in fact makes the "Blackest" area of Racine a solidly "Black" District where Bob Turner will be re-elected for a decade after he's dead! And Wirch will control an urban district with Racine and Kenosha Cities that are overwhelmingly Dem Leaning. If a Minority chooses to run against Wirch he/ She will have a great chance at success..unless they run as a Republican. It's all over a tiny little are in Milwaukee they are upset about.