MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today kept his promise to Wisconsinites and vetoed the gerrymandered legislative maps Republicans in the Wisconsin State Legislature passed last week. Earlier this month, Gov. Evers submitted fair maps to the Wisconsin Supreme Court for the Court to consider in ongoing redistricting litigation. The governor’s proposed legislative maps are responsive to the will of the people, avoid partisan bias, and increase the number of competitive legislative seats. Additional details on the governor’s submitted maps are available here.
Gov. Evers released a video message to Wisconsinites, which is available on Gov. Evers’ YouTube page here and the governor’s social media platforms here and here. A transcript of the video message is available below.
The governor’s veto message for Assembly Bill 415 is available here.
Hey there, folks. Governor Tony Evers here.
I said during my State of the State address last week that I have never been more hopeful that when Wisconsinites head to the ballot box later this year, they will be voting under legislative maps that finally reflect the people of this state.
Wisconsinites don’t want Republican or Democrat maps because Wisconsin isn’t a red or blue state—we’re a purple state, and our maps should reflect that basic fact.
Wisconsinites deserve maps that are fair, responsive, and reflect the will of the people, and my promise to the people of Wisconsin is that I will always fight for fair maps—I will not accept anything less.
It’s about doing the right thing, and it’s as simple as that.
That’s why, today, I’m delivering on my promise to the people of our state and vetoing the maps Republicans introduced and passed last week.
And here’s why: the people of Wisconsin have lived under some of the most gerrymandered maps in the country for a decade.
That’s a fact.
These maps are more of the same.
Republicans passed maps to help make sure Republican-gerrymandered incumbents get to keep their seats.
Folks, that’s just more gerrymandering.
Allowing politicians to move district lines so their party can retain political power doesn’t help root out gerrymandering from our democracy; it further entrenches it.
And that’s wrong.
I was proud to submit maps to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to consider that are responsive to the will of the people, avoid partisan bias, and increase the number of competitive legislative seats.
And I remain as optimistic as ever that Wisconsinites will soon have the fair maps they deserve at long last.
Thank you.
