Press Release
MADISON, WI -- Gov. Tony Evers, together with Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, today announced a move asking a federal court to allow Gov. Evers to intervene in a lawsuit filed last month that asks a federal court to draw the state’s next set of electoral maps.
The governor’s motion, filed by Attorney General Kaul and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, contends Wisconsin law recognizes a joint role for both the governor and the Legislature in the redistricting process, and therefore that the governor should have the opportunity to provide input in the litigation.
“I never thought I would be spending a lot of my time as governor protecting our democracy, but it’s clear that with continued attacks on the right to vote, misinformation around the 2020 election, and efforts to gerrymander our maps, this work has never been more important,” said Gov. Evers. “I will continue to fight every day to protect the right of every eligible voter to cast their ballot, to ensure we have fair, free, and secure elections, and to have fair maps in Wisconsin.”
The motion also notes the work of the People’s Maps Commission, a nonpartisan redistricting commission created by Gov. Evers in 2020 tasked with drawing fair, impartial maps based on the 2020 U.S. Census to be presented to the Legislature for their consideration and approval. More than 50 Wisconsin counties encompassing more than 80 percent of Wisconsin’s population have passed resolutions or referenda supporting nonpartisan redistricting, and more than 70 percent of Wisconsinites prefer a nonpartisan commission conduct the redistricting process.
“Gerrymandering stifles the voice of the people in order to serve politicians’ self-interest. We need to put an end to this practice that undermines our democracy,” said Attorney General Kaul, who is representing the governor in the case.
The Republican-led Wisconsin State Legislature has already been allowed to intervene and have requested that the court dismiss the lawsuit outright. Last December and January, the Republican leaders in the Legislature signed contracts worth more than $1 million with private law firms to help draft and defend new maps.
A copy of the motion to intervene is available below.
Motion to Intervene
Note: If on a mobile device, you will be prompted to view/download the report which requires a PDF Viewer to open. If on desktop, the report will appear below without having to download.
Last Update: Sep 13, 2021 12:12 pm CDT
