Wisconsin Republicans release redistricting maps that redraw political boundaries

[The Northerner]

MADISON — Republicans in control of the state Legislature on Friday released maps they made redrawing political boundaries for the state’s eight congressional districts and all 132 legislative seats.

The Legislature intends to vote on passing the maps starting on July 19, before recall elections that could give Democrats control of the Senate.

As it stands now, Democrats don’t have the votes to stop the GOP-drawn maps from being passed and sent to Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

Republican Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald and his brother Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald released a joint statement on Friday offering little comment other than saying by releasing the maps and preparing to debate them in the Legislature they were fulfilling the constitutional requirement to redraw the lines.

Read more: http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110708/APC0101/110708086/Story-documents-GOP-releases-redistricting-maps?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|APC-News

[PeaceNikki]

1. DPW Chair response here:

http://www.wisdems.org/news/press/view/2011-07-rushed-republican-redistricting

Snip:
Republicans know they are going to lose the Senate next month. That’s why they are pushing through this transparent power grab now. It appears that not a single Republican on the Senate side is drawn out of their seat-and it stands to reason that we can expect the same on the Assembly side.

Democracy in Wisconsin is under assault.

Lately Scott Walker has been making a big to do about reaching out to Democrats, working together. This plan exposes how phony those overtures are – done for PR benefit, not for good government in Wisconsin.

While this plan will likely be tied up in legal action, this is the latest outrageous act that will mobilize Democrats, and mobilize independent, moderate voters to action. And we will fight back through the Senate recalls this summer and holding this Governor accountable next year."

[Poiuyt]

2. Nikki, what have you heard about the chance of the WI Senate flipping?

Up in Appleton, I keep hearing that we'll gain some seats, but not enough to take control.

[PeaceNikki]

3. It's going to be tough, no doubt.

I'll be working the polls as an election observer in Waukesha County in the Darling/Pasch primary and race and I know that OFA and all state party resources are working their asses off. It's hard to tell whether Dems will show up and THAT will be the determining factor. The numbers in these districts for the SC race looked pretty good for us. We know that the GOP turns out on election day and we need to show up like never before.

The optimist in me says we'll gain 4 seats. I hope the optimist in me is correct.

[WhiteTara]

4. Your heart to the voters fingers

and May the universe render the ballot bandits immobile on election day.

[freshwest]

5. Sorry, but there go the recalls.

[PeaceNikki]

6. mmmm... how so? This will not pass before the recall elections.

[freshwest]

8. Can't recall Walker until next year, right? Good if any of them are booted. I hate these...

It's just like they did in Texas. Now it's the whole country. Okay, I'll save the bad vibes and hope justice is done in Wisconsin. With the prison labor taking the place of working people, I hate these...

[ThomWV]

7. Can the redistricting be slowed down in the Courts until Democrats can have a voice in their redraw?

[PeaceNikki]

10. That's the idea, yes. It ought to mobilize the Democrats in recall districts.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin and OFA are working very hard to GOTV for these recalls.

DUer's can help candidates here: http://www.wisdems.org/candidates

Or via MoveOn: https://secure.actblue.com/page/wiscrecall

[mzteris]

9. ROAD TRIP for the 14!!!

That's my vote. Stay away until after the recall elections!!!