Redistricting is moving forward at breakneck speed, it’s time for Rapid Response!
Whatever our color, background, or zip code, as Americans we value our freedom–the freedom to have a say in decisions that affect our lives. A decade ago political operatives gerrymandered all of us. They took away our freedom to have our say through our vote. Yesterday they showed us their proposed new gerrymandered maps. They made it crystal clear they want to deny us our freedom to vote for another decade. Throughout history Americans have come together to fight for freedom. This is OUR MOMENT. Here are three action items to focus on, RIGHT NOW:
1. State: The WI Legislature published its proposed maps a few days ago. There will be a Joint Hearing in Madison at 9 AM Thursday October 28. The Legislative bills to adopt the maps are SB 621 and SB 622. The maps are so bad the Princeton Gerrymandering Project gave them all an “F,” and PlanScore found them as biased as the 2011 maps. Tell your representatives to vote NO.
- 8:30 AM Thursday October 28. If you can, attend the press conference at the Capitol.
- 9:00 AM Thursday October 28. The hearing could last a long time. If you plan to testify at the hearing, please let the Fair Maps Coalition know. https://bit.ly/FMC_
Testify. - 7:00 PM Monday October 25. Virtual testimony training offered. https://bit.ly/FMC_
TestimonyTraining. - 5:00 PM Monday October 25. Whether you can get to Madison or not, please attend a Facebook Live Redistricting Briefing. https://www.
facebook.com/events/ 621319055911502.
The People’s Maps Commission also came out with new maps. But in stark contrast with the Legislature, the PMC has used an open and transparent process. The latest maps were second drafts, revised after reviewing comments and studying the Voting Rights Act. The PMC seeks additional comments before publishing final maps.
- October 27 is the deadline for all comments.
- Find the maps and comment on them athttps://portal.wisconsin-
mapping.org/plans. - PrincetonandPlanScorehave also rated these maps.
Read about the maps at https://wisconsinexaminer.
2. National: The Freedom to Vote Act is stalled in the Senate.
- Tell Senator Baldwin (for the first time or a repeat) to get the bill passed, and bust through the filibuster if she must!https://www.baldwin.
senate.gov/feedback. - Charles Blow is right – this may be the last chance to save democracy. https://www.
nytimes.com/2021/10/17/ opinion/voting-rights- congress.html. - The Senate floor speech by Senator Angus King (I-ME) — “We are at a hinge of history” — is worth every minute. https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=2yxkD_5G24E. - Freedom to Vote Act explained at https://www.brennancenter.
org/our-work/research-reports/ freedom-vote-act.
3. Local: Tabling October 30-31: We need to continue to build public awareness of how crucial this fight to end gerrymandering is. We hope to staff tables at 4 local libraries the weekend of October 30-31 – Mequon, Brown Deer, Whitefish Bay and North Shore – to hand out literature from the League of Women Voters, answer questions, gather signatures on the fair maps petition, and distribute yard signs. If you can help, contact Cheryl Maranto at CMaranto4860@gmail.com.