Wisconsin Senate panel passes GOP redistricting plan

[The Northerner]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin state Senate committee passed Republican-written plans for redrawing political boundaries on Friday, setting the stage for approval by the full Legislature next week.

Democrats voted against all three redistricting bills, arguing that the Legislature was moving too quickly and that the plans amounted to an unconstitutional power grab.

The maps were worked on secretly between Republican leaders in the Legislature and privately hired attorneys for months before being released publicly a week ago. A hearing was held on Wednesday, followed by Friday’s vote.

The Senate plans to debate the maps first on Tuesday followed by the Assembly on Wednesday.

Read more: http://gazettextra.com/weblogs/latest-news/2011/jul/15/wisconsin-senate-panel-passes-gop-redistricting-pl/

[murielm99]

1. When does the redistricted map go into effect? n/t

[The Northerner]

2. I think the new maps must be officialized before the congressional primary elections

or sometime before 2012.

[mckara]

3. Districts Can Change after Walker's Departure Next Year

[murielm99]

5. I'm not so sure about that.

You would have to look at the state's constitution.

Most state constitutions call for redistricting every ten years, after the results of each U. S. Census are known. The majority does the redistricting. It stands until the next census, even if that party goes out of power.

Check on your state constitution.

[LLStarks]

4. Redestricting is a right reserved to the majority party, but this is going to be a gerrymander-fest.