Green Bay Senator to Lead Fight for Fair Voting Districts |
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News - Articles for State & Local |
Written by GBP Staff |
Monday, 28 November 2016 10:59 |
http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/scott_walker_voting_booths-s5.jpg MADISON - State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) announced Monday that he will re-introduce legislation to create a non-partisan redistricting process. Hansen’s announcement comes in response to a recent court decision that declared the maps drawn by legislative Republicans to be unconstitutional.
In 2011 Republican leaders and staff worked in secret outside the Capitol to draw district lines designed to lock in their legislative majorities for ten years or more. As a result, in the 2012 election Republicans took over 61% of the seats in the State Assembly despite winning less than 49% of the vote. “We try to teach our children that every vote counts. But under the current system that is not true. With the technology available there is no excuse for not drawing truly fair and competitive district lines. The only reason for someone to oppose having the lines drawn by a neutral party is because of a desire to hold onto power no matter how unfairly it was gained.” Hansen said he intends to introduce the bill in January and said making the change is important regardless of how the Supreme Court decides the case. “If the Supreme Court upholds the current decision then we will need to have a fair system in place. If the Supreme Court does not uphold the decision we will still need to have a fair system in place. Regardless of the Court’s decision the current system is unfair to the voters and a new non-partisan system is needed.” *** Jay Wadd contributed to this story. |
Last Updated on Monday, 28 November 2016 16:03 |
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