Sunday, December 31, 2023

In The News - December 2023



Common Cause Wisconsin’s Jay Heck accuses Solem of being Scrooge on potential new voting maps
December 26, 2023 - Rick Solem, WIZM News La Crosse

Voting maps go back to the drawing board
December 23, 2023 - Tim Kowols, Door County Daily News

Wisconsin GOP Assembly leader backs off threat to impeach Supreme Court judge over redistricting
December 22, 2023 - Charles Jay, Daily Kos

Elections in 2024: What's at stack for Wisconsin and the country
December 21, 2023 - Greg Stensland, Between the Lines, WFDL fm radio

‘Iowa model’ redistricting was not top priority for Wisconsin GOP until 2023
December 8, 2023 - D.L. Davis, PolitiFact

Progressive groups now zero in on Spindell, after settlement of Wisconsin fake electors lawsuit
December 7, 2023 - Chuck Quirmbach, WUWM 89.7 FM

Proposal abolishes WEC, gives elections duties to Secretary of State
December 5, 2023 - Tim Kowols, Door County Daily News

Republican lawmakers propose dissolving Wisconsin Elections Commission
December 5, 2023 - Henry Redman, Wisconsin Examiner

Conversation with Jay Heck on How Common Causes Move Us Forward
December 4, 2023 - Attorney Mark Thomsen, The Paul Revere Show, Civic Media Radio

Republican former state attorney general running for Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2025
December 1, 2023 - Olivia Herken, The Wisconsin Independent

Read More...


Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Fair Voting Maps, Voting Rights and Democracy Itself are At Stake in 2024

For release: Tuesday - December 19, 2023


Image: Photos of Janet Protasiewicz and Meagan Wolfe. A "Vote Here" sign outside of a polling location.


Common Cause Wisconsin 2023 Year End Review


As we draw near to the end of an eventful and tumultuous 2023 in Wisconsin, it's worthwhile taking a moment to look back and review some of the significant events that occurred this year in the ongoing battle for democracy and representative state government and, as we head into what may be the most important and consequential presidential election year in our state's and nation's almost 235-year-history.


In April, Wisconsin voters strongly signaled that after 15 years of an ultra-conservative majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, they were ready for a more pro-voting rights, anti-partisan gerrymandering and progressive court that will be more supportive of a stronger and more inclusive democracy for our state. On April 4th, Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz overwhelmingly defeated conservative former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly, for the pivotal seat of retiring conservative Patience Roggensack in an election contest that drew the attention of the entire nation and which turned out to be, by far, the most expensive judicial election in American history, with an astounding $56 million spent by both candidates and outside groups.


Last month, on November 21st, oral arguments on the redistricting lawsuit case, Clarke v. W.E.C. occurred before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Fair voting maps rallies were held in Madison, Green Bay, Milwaukee and in Eau Claire in which CC/WI Board members and former Wisconsin legislators Tim Cullen and Penny Bernard Schaber spoke in an impressive display of grass roots public support for ending partisan gerrymandering throughout Wisconsin. A decision on the case from the court could happen at any time now and is fully expected before January 15, 2024. Stay tuned for this important development.


Meanwhile, in September in a desperate attempt to try to prevent the court from having the final say in the gerrymandering case, Assembly Republicans led by long-entrenched Speaker, Robin Vos, unveiled and launched a partisan attempt to maintain control of the redistricting process by suddenly adopting parts (but not the most critical elements) of the redistricting process CC/WI and other reformers have long embraced for Wisconsin based on the 43-year-old nonpartisan redistricting process utilized by our neighboring state of Iowa. The Vos "pseudo-Iowa model" legislation was devised without any consultation or discussion with reform groups like CC/WI, or with Democrats or with the Governor and was rammed through the Wisconsin Assembly in about 48 hours without a public hearing and almost entirely along party lines. The strong and united opposition to the process and content of the Vos plan has for now stopped the legislation from advancing through the State Senate thus far. At the single public hearing held on the legislation on October 19th, in which CC/WI led off the testimony against the deeply flawed and partisan legislation Senate Bill 488/Assembly Bill 415, it was telling that not a single person other than Republican legislators testified in support of the Vos/GOP pseudo-Iowa model bills while dozens lined up to speak and register against it. For now, thankfully, the legislation appears to be dormant, if not dead.


Elections, election administration and the Wisconsin Elections Commission all remained a source of continuing, albeit unnecessary and entirely manufactured controversy and dispute throughout 2023. A small but vocal coterie of election deniers and conspiracy theorists led by dis-credited legislators like State Rep. Janel Brandtjen of Menomonee Falls, disgraced former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman and others continued their baseless attacks and completely unjustified calls for the removal of the very able and competent Administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC), Meagan Wolfe and the dissolution of the WEC, which was created with unanimous and solely Republican support in 2015. In a dramatic and nationally covered public hearing (including in the New York Times) in the Capitol at the end of August, CC/WI testified strongly in favor of Administrator Wolfe. In October, Republican legislators were forced to admit that they did not possess the legal authority or ability to remove Wolfe from the WEC despite voting entirely along party lines to do so. Their "symbolic" action and abusive rhetoric only served to sow further dissension and confusion in order to appease their unhinged, far-right wing base. But for now, these misguided attempts to remove Wolfe have not prevailed and she remains in her position.


Likewise, the composition of the WEC Commission has been divisive and controversial with the actions of Republican-appointed Commissioner Robert Spindell of Milwaukee County who has often aligned with election deniers and conspiracy theorists. Last January and again in February, CC/WI called for Spindell's removal from the WEC for racially charged comments he made following the 2022 midterm election with regard to voter turnout in majority-minority districts in Milwaukee. Then, earlier this month, Spindell was admonished and forced to admit his deception in a settlement as one of the ten Republican "false" electors who attempted to supplant the electors for now-President Joe Biden who carried the state by more than 20,000 votes in 2020. CC/WI reiterates our support for his removal from the WEC. As of now, Republican State Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu is standing by his reappointment of Spindell to the WEC.


What will 2024 bring as Wisconsin again enters the national spotlight as one of the three or four "battleground" states in the nation that will determine the winner of the upcoming presidential election? We hope that the upcoming new year will bring fairer state legislative voting maps to be put into place by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the continued strong administration of critical elections in Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Elections Commission and Administrator Meagan Wolfe, and an informed, engaged and highly motivated voter turnout by Wisconsinites of every age group and from every corner of the state in a powerful demonstration of strong participation and confidence in the democratic process and in the freedom and ability to give voice to the citizenry through the ballot box.


The state governing board and staff of Common Cause Wisconsin also thank you for your support and interest in our work during 2023, and wish you a very happy holiday season and a healthy and hopeful New Year.


Forward and On Wisconsin!

Jay Heck

--------------------------

Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org

Read More...


Thursday, November 30, 2023

In the News - November 2023



Rally Calls for Fair Maps in WI
November 22, 2023 - Wisconsin Breaking News

Advocates rally to protest Wisconsin’s ‘etch-a-sketch gerrymandered maps’
November 21, 2023 - Abigail Leavins, The Isthmus

Oral Arguments for Redistricting in the State Supreme Court Tuesday
November 17, 2023 - Greg Stensland, Between the Lines, WFDL fm radio

The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s ugly politics, explained
November 15, 2023 - Andrew Bahl, The Cap Times

Wisconsin Legislature looks to pass three election measures
November 9, 2023 - Tim Kowols, Door County Daily News

Read More...


Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Wisconsin Fair Voting Maps Lawsuit Oral Arguments and Rallies Around the State

For release: Wednesday - November 15, 2023



  Image: Inside of the Wisconsin Supreme Court Chamber

Wisconsin Voters Day in Court Begins Tuesday, November 21st


After more than a dozen years of pushback and struggle, the proponents of fair voting maps and ending partisan gerrymandering of state legislative districts in Wisconsin will finally get their day in court before the newly constituted Wisconsin Supreme Court. Oral arguments in the long-anticipated court case, Clarke v. Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) will commence beginning at 8:45 AM on Tuesday, November 21st in the State Capitol in Madison in the Wisconsin Supreme Court Chamber.


At 9:00 AM, fair voting maps advocates will hold a rally and press conference near the Supreme Court Chamber (16-East, State Capitol). Among those expected to speak are the former State Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Tim Cullen of Janesville, who is currently a board member of Common Cause Wisconsin (CC/WI) and the immediate past Chair. Cullen may be joined by another former State Senate Majority Leader (2004-07), Republican Dale Schultz of Richland Center.


Cullen and Schultz were leading redistricting reform proponents in the Wisconsin Legislature before both retired in early 2015. Since then, they have traveled, often together, all across Wisconsin speaking and educating citizens about the need to rid the state of the polarizing and debilitating partisan gerrymandering that took hold beginning in 2011 and was repeated in the latest redistricting process of 2021-22.


Cullen and Schultz will be joined by other voters from around Wisconsin to make brief remarks prior to the oral arguments that will be made before the State Supreme Court. Additionally, Milwaukee, Green Bay and Eau Claire will hold support rallies at Noon on Tuesday.


For more on the rally you would like to attend, find details on Facebook or sign up here to have the latest information directly emailed to you. Share these links with your friends, too.


In the meantime, the Wisconsin State Senate majority Republicans have still not attempted to advance to the floor of the Senate for consideration deeply flawed, partisan redistricting legislation, Senate Bill 488 which CC/WI opposes and testified against at the single public hearing held on the bill on October 19th. Identical flawed, partisan legislation, Assembly Bill 415 was rammed through the Wisconsin Assembly on September 14th only two days after being devised and unleashed and without any public hearing whatsoever.


We will continue to monitor activity in the Wisconsin Senate and alert voters should SB 488 suddenly be pulled from the Senate Elections Committee and sent to the full Senate. That legislation must be opposed because it is deeply flawed and lacks bipartisan support, the support of nonpartisan public interest groups like CC/WI, and most significantly, the support of the voters of Wisconsin.


As for now, all eyes are on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Join CC/WI on Tuesday in a show of support for Fair Maps! These rallies are our chance to show that we care about fair maps and that we are not backing down.
 
Forward!
Jay Heck


--------------------------

Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org

Read More...


Tuesday, October 31, 2023

In The News - October 2023



Redistricting Legislation and Constitutional Amendments
October 26, 2023 - Greg Stensland, Between the Lines, WFDL fm radio

Democrats, fair maps advocates assail Wisconsin Republicans’ nonpartisan redistricting bill
October 24, 2023 - Mary Bosch, The Daily Cardinal

Democrats and members of the public criticize Republicans’ ‘Iowa-style’ redistricting plan during first public hearing
October 20, 2023 - Baylor Spears, Wisconsin Examiner

Divisive 'Iowa-style' redistricting bill receives first public hearing in Wisconsin
October 19, 2023 - Alexander Shur, The La Crosse Tribune

Wisconsin Republicans Walk Back Efforts to Impeach Newly Elected State Supreme Court Justice Protasiewicz
October 12, 2023 - Paige Anderholm, Democracy Docket

Student voting rights reaffirmed in Werner v. Dankmeyer
October 12, 2023 - Blake Thor, The Badger Herald

Fair maps advocates hold ‘public telling’ to air opposition to GOP redistricting plan
October 10, 2023 - Erik Gunn, Wisconsin Examiner

Redistricting activists speak out against GOP plan to redraw Wisconsin's political maps
October 9, 2023 - Anya van Wagtendonk, Wisconsin Public Radio

'Fair maps' advocates say Republican redistricting bill undermines voices of Wisconsinites
October 9, 2023 - Lucy Wentink, Channel 3000

Read More...


Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Flawed, Partisan Redistricting Measure Gets a Public Hearing and Overwhelming Opposition at the Capitol Last Week

For release: Wednesday - October 25, 2023

  Image: Jay Heck sits behind legislators speaking on their redistricting bill. (Baylor Spears | Wisconsin Examiner)

Fast Tracked Process, Shortcomings in the Bill and Lack of Bipartisan & Citizen Input Are All Cited as Major Problems


At the Capitol last Thursday October 19th in the first officially sanctioned legislative public hearing on redistricting reform legislation held in 14 years in Wisconsin, virtually everyone who testified, did so in opposition to the partisan Republican redistricting legislation - Senate Bill 488 & Assembly Bill 415. Only four people -- all of them Republican legislators -- spoke strongly in favor of it. Opponents, including CC/WI Director Jay Heck’s lead-off testimony, cited "trust" issues and a flawed bill and process and a lack of bipartisan and citizen input. The hearing room was filled to capacity, with dozens testifying and not a single "citizen" spoke in full support of SB 488/AB 415.


Here is Jay Heck’s full testimony from Thursday, although he spoke extemporaneously and tried to be conciliatory and make the point that while the public hearing was appreciated, it needed to be only the first such exercise and encounter with the public and that there must be genuine bipartisan discussion and collaboration in the months ahead. Heck also emphasized that there should be no rush to get the legislation to the full legislature for a vote until there had been a bipartisan meeting of the minds and improvements to the legislation had been achieved.


“Without that trust and buy-in from all those affected, a major, once in a generation reform measure like this simply cannot succeed,” Heck said.


When asked by what he thought was behind the rushed, partisan process Heck candidly replied that it was driven by Republican fear of what the Wisconsin Supreme Court might decide in the pending lawsuit on the current, rigged GOP state legislative voting maps. Oral arguments are set to occur on the lawsuit on November 21st. Republicans are very concerned about trying to supplant an adverse (for them) Supreme Court ruling by making the case that their legislation ought to be the "remedy" to partisan gerrymandering, instead of the court’s decision.


Media coverage of last Thursday’s Capitol event was extensive. For more on what transpired in this first “official” legislative redistricting public hearing conducted since 2009, you can read:



No word yet on when or if Senate Bill 488 will be suddenly rushed to the floor of the full State Senate in the weeks immediately ahead. We most certainly hope not. This entire process needs to be slowed down considerably and, as we have emphasized, all participants brought to the table to reach a bipartisan agreement on this critical nonpartisan reform. That includes not only Wisconsin state legislative Republicans and Democrats, but also Gov. Tony Evers and, most importantly, the citizens and voters of Wisconsin.


We need to get redistricting reform done right and if that takes 14 weeks to accomplish after waiting 14 years for this process to even begin, then so be it.


On, Wisconsin. Forward!

 

Jay Heck


--------------------------

Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org

Read More...


Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Public Hearing on Flawed and Partisan Wisconsin Redistricting Bill This Thursday

For release: Tuesday - October 17, 2023

  Image: Photo Credit - Wisconsin Public Radio;  CCWI Director Jay Heck, 2nd from right, speaking on 10/9/23

Oppose the Pseudo “Iowa Model” Redistricting Reform Measure – 
Senate Bill 488

This past Friday the 13th brought Wisconsin some sudden, surprising and interesting political news and activity. Republicans in the State Senate announced a public hearing for their version of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos’ version of what a “Fair Voting Maps” bill should look like – his pseudo, partisan Iowa model redistricting “reform” measure.


The Assembly Bill, AB 415 – pushed through the State Assembly on September 14th without a public hearing, was sent to the Senate as SB 488. There is a public hearing scheduled for Senate Bill 488 this Thursday, the 19th, October 19th at 9AM in Hearing Room 411 South in the Capitol in Madison. 


Like AB 415, SB 488 has only Republican co-sponsors. Also, no Democratic Senators or public interest groups like Common Cause Wisconsin or the Fair Maps Coalition were consulted or informed in advance about either the introduction of this measure or this public hearing.


There is little doubt that this is coming up now after the impeachment threats to WI Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz have lost much of their steam last week following conservative former Justices David Prosser and Jon Wilcox telling Speaker Vos that neither saw credible justification for impeachment of Protasiewicz and an increasing number of Republican legislators saying they would not vote to impeach (or convict) her.


Speaker Vos (R-Rochester) and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) now seem intent on utilizing SB 488/AB 415 as a means of heading off an unfavorable decision (to them) by the Wisconsin Supreme Court on their current, gerrymandered maps. In both AB 415 and SB 488 there is a provision that would put the redistricting process in effect immediately, for 2024 -- essentially negating any decision the WI Supreme Court might render on the 2021-22 maps.


Here are some other points of major concern in SB 488/AB 415:

  • The consensus from the previous lead legislative sponsors of the Iowa Model Legislation in 2021, Sen. Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) and Rep. Deb Andraca (D-Whitefish Bay), is that even if Republicans sought and accepted amendments from Democrats to improve SB 488, it is likely that the absolutely necessary 75 percent "safeguard" stipulation included in the 2019 and 2021 versions of the legislation but not included in AB 415 or SB 488, would NOT be acceptable to the Republicans. The provision requires that any partisan redistricting plan not devised by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau must attain at least 75 percent of the votes in both legislative chambers to pass, thus ensuring wide, bipartisan support and consensus. Without this provision, SB 488 is utterly unsupportable.
  • The measure restricting the number of times the Legislature could reject LRB maps before the State Supreme Court would draw them (which is included in Iowa's statutes) is not included in AB 415/SB 488. There must be a finite number of times that LRB maps can be rejected.
  • Therefore, the Legislature by a simple majority, could vote to reject all non-partisan maps until the deadline for the redistricting process and then ram through their own, partisan maps.


On Monday, October 9th, there was a "non-sanctioned" public hearing in The Capitol organized by reformers to express opposition to AB 415 and to try to focus public attention on the need for an inclusive, bipartisan process in which to end partisan gerrymandering in Wisconsin.


Sen. Jeff Smith and Rep. Deb Andraca both attended and testified as did dozens of other citizens. Republican legislators were invited but did not attend. The hearing room was filled to capacity. Read Common Cause WI Director Jay Heck's statement. 


And read more media coverage of the event on the 9th:


Now is the time for us to contact our State Senators and let them know that we do not support SB 488. Demand bipartisan legislation that would not allow partisan gerrymandering to be continued. Tell them we want fair voting maps that give equal value to everyone’s vote and do not allow either party to draw maps in a partisan fashion. 


Find your State Senator and contact them today that you oppose Senate Bill 488.
 

Come to Madison, if you can, on Thursday to testify in person. The public hearing begins at 9:00 AM. This is the very first legislative public hearing on redistricting “reform” legislation since 2009. There ought to be many more opportunities for public input from all over the state, not just in Madison. In any event, let’s ensure that our voices are heard.


On Wisconsin!

 

Jay Heck


--------------------------

Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org

Read More...


Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Common Cause Wisconsin Opposes AB 415 in Public Telling Event

For release: Wednesday - October 10, 2023


Statement of Jay Heck -- Executive Director, Common Cause Wisconsin

Fair Maps Coalition Public Telling

Tuesday, October 9, 2023

The Problems with AB 415 and Why Common Cause Wisconsin Opposes this Bill


On Thursday evening, September 14th, less than 48 hours after unveiling a massive, comprehensive overhaul plan for redistricting of Wisconsin’s state legislative districts, majority Assembly Republicans passed partisan legislation – Assembly Bill 415. The bill was drafted entirely in secret, with no consultation or input from Democratic legislators or public interest groups working on this reform for years or even decades, or most importantly, from the citizens of Wisconsin who have long advocated for and demanded nonpartisan redistricting reform and an end to partisan gerrymandering.

Instead, the GOP partisan pseudo “Iowa Model” redistricting legislation was suddenly announced on Tuesday afternoon, September 12th, without any prior notice or warning and taken directly to the Assembly floor 48 hours later. No committee referral or consideration, no public hearings, no consultation with Democrats or redistricting reform advocates or with any Wisconsin citizens whatsoever. After 12 years of steadfastly opposing any and every attempt to advance or even discuss the creation of a nonpartisan redistricting process for Wisconsin, legislative Republicans, out of nowhere, secretly crafted, introduced and rammed AB 415 through the Assembly on an almost strictly party line vote. Why the rush and secrecy? Now we know.

This Republican pseudo-Iowa imitation measure falls short of the actual redistricting process that has been in place in Iowa for 43 years. AB 415 lacks the absolutely critical and necessary safeguards that were inserted, by us – the Wisconsin reformers -- into the Iowa Model legislation for Wisconsin introduced in 2019 and in 2021.These safeguards ensured that partisan manipulation included in AB 415 cannot prevail during the actual redistricting process.

This proposal in its current form explicitly omits the safeguards. Instead, AB 415 allows the majority party in the legislature to subvert the adoption of non-partisan voting maps and pass unfair, gerrymandered partisan voting maps by simply stalling until the end of the redistricting process timeline. Wisconsin voters would be subjected to the same gerrymandered and rigged maps the Wisconsin Legislature led by Republicans pushed through in 2011 and in 2021-22.

They could accomplish this by simply continuing, indefinitely, to reject nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau-produced revisions of the voting maps until the January 31st deadline that is included in AB 415 as passed.

It is essential that any redistricting reform measure put forth by the legislature must:

  • require that redistricting plans and voting maps be produced solely with the nonpartisan criteria utilized by the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB),
  • and stipulate that any non-LRB originated redistricting plan can only pass in both chambers of the Legislature if the amended legislation receives a 75 percent affirmative vote in each chamber.

In this way, broad bipartisan support and consensus that must be obtained for any nonpartisan redistricting plan to work, can be assured with trust and confidence of Wisconsin voters. A simple bipartisan majority, with as few as one vote from both political parties, is simply not acceptable.

Also, a redistricting plan must include a provision that requires redistricting be undertaken by the Wisconsin Supreme Court if after the January 31st deadline the Legislature and Governor fail to reach agreement after a finite number (3 is that number in Iowa) of attempts to do so. That must be explicitly spelled out in this type of legislation. It is a critical element in Iowa’s redistricting process and an important reason why it has worked well there since 1980. It serves as a powerful incentive for Iowa’s, or any legislature, to reach bipartisan consensus on adopting nonpartisan voting maps. This absolutely necessary judicial review provision is not spelled out in AB 415.

There are other problems with the pseudo “reform” measure passed through the Assembly on September 14th. If there is real sincerity and interest by Speaker Vos and Assembly Republicans in enacting into law genuine nonpartisan redistricting legislation for Wisconsin, then AB 415 must NOT be considered in the State Senate without using the proper legislative process. This must be done in the light of day. If that does not occur and the gerrymandered Senate just schedules and passes the legislation in its current form, as was done in the Assembly, Gov. Evers must and will veto this pseudo-reform measure.

Please pardon the voters of Wisconsin if they don’t believe that after 12 years of attacking, resisting and blocking any public discussion of redistricting reform in the State Capitol, that Assembly Republicans have all of a sudden “seen the light” and in two days they could craft, consider and pass a comprehensive reform measure that Wisconsinites can have confidence in and embrace.

Assembly and State Senate Republicans and their leadership know that comprehensive nonpartisan redistricting reform must be supported and embraced by all of those involved in and affected by the process. That requires a deliberative and open, transparent process and bipartisan consensus or it will not be tenable, sustainable or believable. Without that trust and buy in from all those affected, a major, once in a generation reform measure like this cannot succeed.

Perhaps that’s the objective of the architects of this plan – to kill redistricting reform altogether. We certainly hope that is not the case. But if it is, we will not be deterred. And the presence and voice of all the Wisconsinites who are here today as well as the thousands who are with us in spirit, will never be silenced. 


--------------------------

Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org

Read More...


Saturday, September 30, 2023

In The News - September 2023



Gerrymandering's influence in Wisconsin
September 29, 2023 - Interview with Jay Heck, The Wisconsin Independent

Legislation to protect election workers moves forward at Wisconsin Capitol
September 26, 2023 - Anya van Wagtendonk, Wisconsin Public Radio

Conversation with Jay Heck on Wisconsin's Democracy, Voting Rights, and Fair Maps
September 18, 2023 - Attorney Mark Thomsen, The Paul Revere Show, Civic Media Radio

Wisconsin Republicans’ reversal on redistricting calls for adopting Iowa maps model
September 18, 2023 - Steven Walters, The Isthmus

Wisconsin Assembly Republicans pass sweeping redistricting reform, but likely veto awaits
September 15, 2023 - Scott Bauer, The AP

Wisconsin Republicans Are Taking Desperate Steps to Subvert Fair Elections in 2024
September 14, 2023 - Ari Berman, Mother Jones

Not so fast, Robin Vos. Hold a hearing on plan to end gerrymandering
September 14, 2023 - Editoral, Wisconsin State Journal editorial board

Republican redistricting proposal not quite what Democratic lawmakers asked for
September 14, 2023 - Mitchell Schmidt and Alexander Shur, The Wisconsin State Journal

Robin Vos’ maps gambit is desperate and deceitful
September 13, 2023 - Dan Shafer, The Recombobulation Area

Is Iowa-style redistricting in Wisconsin’s future?
September 13, 2023 - Andrew Bahl, The Cap Times

WI GOP Offers “Nonpartisan” Redistricting Bill That Still Lets Them Draw Maps
September 13, 2023 - Chris Walker, Truthout

SCOWIS, Fair Maps, and Impeachment Threats
September 13, 2023 - Greg Stensland, Between the Lines, WFDL fm radio

Assembly Republicans announce plans to introduce Iowa-style redistricting process
September 12, 2023 - Baylor Spears, Wisconsin Examiner

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates often speak out on hot topics. Only one faces impeachment threat
September 11, 2023 - Scott Bauer and Harm Venhuizen, The AP via CBS News MN

Republicans threaten to impeach newly elected Wisconsin supreme court judge
September 11, 2023 - Alice Herman, The Guardian

Wisconsin’s GOP Is Trying to Fire Key Players in the Next Election
September 8, 2023 - Kelly Weill, The Daily Beast

Wisconsin GOP threatens to impeach justice over donations, but conservatives also took party cash
September 7, 2023 - Scott Bauer and Harm Venhuizen, The AP via ABC News

Wisconsin GOP threatens to impeach justice over donations, but conservatives also took party cash
September 7, 2023 - Scott Bauer and Harm Venhuizen, The AP

Wisconsin’s skewed legislative maps could cost taxpayers millions in legal fees
September 6, 2023 - Josh Israel, The American Independent

Read More...


Friday, September 22, 2023

Partisan Pseudo “Iowa Model” Redistricting Plan Rushed Through the Wisconsin Assembly on September 14th is Deeply Flawed and Unsupportable

For release: Friday - September 22, 2023




  Image: Photo of the Wisconsin  Assembly Chamber 

On Thursday evening, September 14th, less than 48 hours after unveiling a massive, comprehensive overhaul plan for redistricting of Wisconsin’s state legislative districts, majority Assembly Republicans passed their legislation – Assembly Bill 415. The bill was drafted entirely in secret, with no consultation or input from Democrats or public interest groups who have long advocated for redistricting reform.


Instead, the partisan pseudo “Iowa Model” redistricting legislation was suddenly announced on Tuesday afternoon, September 12th, without any prior notice or warning and taken directly to the Assembly floor 48 hours later. No committee referral or consideration, no public hearings, no consultation with Democrats or redistricting reform advocates or with any Wisconsin citizens whatsoever. After 12 years of steadfastly opposing any and every attempt to advance or even discuss the creation of a nonpartisan redistricting process for Wisconsin, the legislative Republicans introduced AB 415.


This Republican Iowa imitation measure falls short of the actual redistricting process that has been in place in Iowa for 43 years. It lacks the absolutely critical and necessary safeguards that were inserted into the Iowa Model legislation for Wisconsin introduced in 2019 and in 2021.These safeguards ensured that partisan manipulation included in AB 415 cannot prevail during the actual redistricting process. This proposal in its current form explicitly omits the safeguards. Instead, AB 415 allows the majority party in the legislature to subvert the adoption of non-partisan voting maps and pass unfair, gerrymandered partisan voting maps. Wisconsin voters would be subjected to the same gerrymandered and rigged maps the Wisconsin Legislature led by Republicans pushed through in 2011 and in 2021-22.

 

They could accomplish this by simply continuing to reject LRB-produced revisions of the voting maps until the January 31st deadline included in AB 415 as passed.


It is essential that any redistricting reform measure put forth by the legislature must:

 

  • require that redistricting plans and voting maps be produced solely with the nonpartisan criteria utilized by the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB),
  • and stipulate that any non-LRB originated redistricting plan can only pass in in both chambers of the Legislature if the amended legislation receives a 75 percent affirmative vote in each chamber.


In this way, broad bipartisan support and consensus that must be attained for any nonpartisan redistricting plan to work can be assured with trust and confidence of Wisconsin voters. A simple bipartisan majority, with as few as one vote from both political parties, is not acceptable.


Also, a redistricting plan must include a provision that requires redistricting be undertaken by the Wisconsin Supreme Court if after the January 31st deadline the Legislature and Governor fail to reach agreement on the plan. That must be explicitly spelled out in this legislation. It is a critical element in Iowa’s redistricting process and an important reason why it has worked well there since 1980. It serves as a powerful incentive for Iowa or any Legislature to reach bipartisan consensus on adopting nonpartisan voting maps.


There are other problems with the pseudo “reform” measure passed through the Assembly on September 14th. If there is real sincerity and interest by Speaker Vos and Assembly Republicans in enacting into law genuine nonpartisan redistricting for Wisconsin, then AB 415 must NOT be considered in the State Senate without using the proper legislative process. This must be done in the light of day. If that does not occur and the gerrymandered Senate just schedules and passes the legislation in its current form, as was done in the Assembly, Gov. Evers must and will veto this pseudo-reform measure.


Please pardon the voters of Wisconsin if they don’t believe that after 12 years of attacking, resisting and blocking any public discussion of redistricting reform in the State Capitol, that Assembly Republicans have all of a sudden “seen the light” and in two days they could craft, consider and pass a comprehensive reform measure that Wisconsinites can have confidence in and embrace.


Assembly and State Senate Republicans and their leadership know that comprehensive nonpartisan redistricting reform must be supported and embraced by all of those involved in and affected by the process. That requires a deliberative and open, transparent process and bipartisan consensus or it will not be tenable, sustainable or believable. Without that trust and buy in from all those affected, a major, once in a generation reform measure like this cannot succeed.


Perhaps that’s the objective of the architects of this plan – to kill redistricting reform altogether. We certainly hope that is not the case. But if it is, we will not be deterred.
----------------------------------

 

Read and learn more about Assembly Bill 415 and the redistricting process in Wisconsin in these recent articles:

 

Truthout

Recombabulation Area

Mother Jones

The Isthmus

 

You can also listen to this recent Civic Media interview with Jay Heck about the current redistricting struggle in Wisconsin that includes some context and history.


--------------------------

Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org

Read More...


Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Vital Information College and University Students in Wisconsin Need to Know to be Able to Vote!

For release: Tuesday - September 19, 2023



  Image: Get Ready to Vote 

Here's what you need to know to be a student voter in Wisconsin.


Students attending one of Wisconsin’s many fine public or private colleges and universities are back on campus and NOW is an excellent time for students to do a “democracy check” to make sure they are ready to vote in Wisconsin.


About a dozen years ago, the Wisconsin Legislature unwisely but deliberately erected some barriers to try to limit the participation of college and university students in Wisconsin elections. But with a little bit of planning using the information we are providing here, students can overcome these misguided obstacles and participate fully in our elections to have their voices heard and their votes counted!


Current Wisconsin law stipulates that all voters must have a voter-compliant form of photo identification that they must show at the polling place (or reproduced for inclusion with an absentee ballot request). Students can look up their school on the lists Common Cause Wisconsin and Campus Vote Project have compiled to see if the current student ID at their particular public, private, technical and community campuses in the state is an acceptable form of ID for voting.


Three Things College Students Need to Do To Vote in Wisconsin


Here, students will find straightforward information on how to register to vote and which photo IDs are eligible to cast a ballot in Wisconsin. 


EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: The photo ID students are issued by their public or private institution of higher education is not necessarily usable to vote in Wisconsin. At some public and some private institutions, the student photo ID issued complies with state law and can be used to vote. But, at other public and private institutions, the photo ID issued to students does not comply with state law for voting and an alternative photo ID must be obtained in order to vote. It is important for students to find out and know now whether or not the photo ID issued by their public or private college or university in Wisconsin can be used when voting. Don't wait until 2024 to do this. 


As of September 2023, the standard student ID issued at only five of the University of Wisconsin's 13 four-year schools and at eight of the state's 30 private colleges can be used as a photo ID to vote. Technical and community colleges fare better with 12 of 17 campuses having standard student IDs that can be used to vote.


Look up your school’s information and IF you don't have a WI driver license or one of the other acceptable IDs, know your options!


Note: you can use a school-issued ID for voting that has expired. If you do present an expired student ID, you must also present (or display electronically) at the polling place a separate, current proof of enrollment document, such as an enrollment verification form, class schedule or tuition bill. If the ID is unexpired, then you do NOT need to present proof of current enrollment.


As we have in past years, we will continually update this resource page with new information or changes as they occur.


Please share this information widely with anyone you know who is attending a college, university, community or technical school in Wisconsin!


Preparing now to vote in Wisconsin will make your voter experience go much more smoothly when you cast your ballot. Be a full participant in our critically important elections and in our democracy. Wisconsin continues to be a very competitive and closely contested “battleground” state in which each and every vote matters.


This includes you and your vote. So be sure you know how to be ready to vote so your voice will be heard and your vote will be counted.


On Wisconsin!


--------------------------

Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org

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