Federal judges panel finds state redistricting plan an "unconstitutional gerrymander"

[riversedge]

Source: Madison.com


Federal judges panel finds state redistricting plan an "unconstitutional gerrymander"

ED TRELEVEN [e-mail] 1 hr ago 7

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A panel of federal judges on Monday ruled that Wisconsin's 2011 legislative redistricting plan, created by Republican leaders virtually in secret, is an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander.

"We find that Act 43 was intended to burden the representational rights of Democratic voters throughout the decennial period by impeding their ability to translate their votes into legislative seats," wrote federal appeals court judge Kenneth Ripple, the senior judge on the three-judge panel. "Moreover, as demonstrated by the results of the 2012 and 2014 elections, among other evidence, we conclude that Act 43 has had its intended effect. Finally, we find that the discriminatory effect is not explained by the political geography of Wisconsin nor is it justified by a legitimate state interest. Consequently, Act 43 constitutes an unconstitutional political gerrymander."

The 116-page decision, with a dissent from U.S. District Judge William Griesbach, was issued several months after the panel heard testimony in federal court in Madison. U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb is the third judge on the panel.

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The ruling comes nearly six months after the judges heard arguments in the case, brought by a group of state Democrats who say have called the 2011 redistricting plan "one of the worst partisan gerrymanders in modern American history."...............................................

Read more: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/federal-judges-panel-finds-state-redistricting-plan-an-unconstitutional-gerrymander/article_c7a71b38-b98c-5b9f-aef5-908cc72ee068.html

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Also says, this can be appealed to the US Sumpreme Court




This pic is from TPM---Retired Rep Dave Obey is in the pic.

I had attended a meeting--he had meetings all around the state on this issue. So proud of Obey and other Dem Senators in WI.
https://res.cloudinary.com/tpm/image/upload/c_fill,fl_keep_iptc,g_face,w_653,h_361/iq1aefejrrv1nkhazglv.jpg

[OldHippieChick]

1. That answers that question

We have to win back state houses to get this to stop!!

[cstanleytech]

4. That and seek extensive prison terms for those doing this now and in the future because

without the threat of lengthy prison stays politicians in the future of whatever party will keep trying this BS.

[elleng]

6. Right, and to do so, among other things,

we have to address dnc. http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016171203

[elleng]

2. Good to hear.

Our federal judges may be our saviors. Too bad this came too late to remedy for 2016 elections.

[riversedge]

3. "The maps were drawn in secret in the Madison offices of law firm "-no Dems allowed...

Last edited Mon Nov 21, 2016, 07:19 PM - Edit history (1)

I remember this this all so clearly!!



http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2016/11/21/federal-court-strikes-down-gop-drawn-maps/94233560/



Federal court strikes down GOP-drawn maps



Jason Stein and Patrick Marley , Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 3:38 p.m. CST November 21, 2016







.....................................................................................................During the trial attorneys for the state defended the maps, saying lawmakers are free to draw lines that help their party. Assistant Attorney General Brian Keenan said GOP lawmakers followed the law in drawing the maps and were allowed to seek partisan advantage when they drew the maps, which were adopted in a law known as Act 43.

States must draw new legislative and congressional districts every 10 years to account for changes in population. Republicans controlled all of state government in 2011 and lawmakers and Gov. Scott Walker used their power to approve maps that greatly favor GOP candidates.

The plaintiffs and their attorneys focused on the emphasis that GOP lawmakers put on building the biggest majorities they could. The maps were drawn in secret in the Madison offices of law firm Michael Best & Friedrich, and GOP lawmakers had to sign secrecy agreements to view maps of their districts before they were made public.

The 2012 and 2014 elections showed that the maps for the Wisconsin Assembly are some of the most heavily skewed maps in the country going back more than 40 years, the plaintiffs showed. State attorneys acknowledged that point in court filings.

[cstanleytech]

5. I would hope that the lawyers for that law firm would be disbarred for this. nt

[riversedge]

7. @WisDOJ says it plans to appeal the ruling that struck down Wisconsin's legislative map.

I was counting the seconds before Gov Walker demanded his AG to appeal.




WI Public Radio Retweeted
Shawn Johnson ‏@SJohnsonWPR 11m11 minutes ago

.@WisDOJ says it plans to appeal the ruling that struck down Wisconsin's legislative map.

[Fresh_Start]

8. can california voters sue because their votes are diluted compared to pretty much any other state?

Feeling pretty sad that 1.7 million lead in popular vote isn't sufficient

[kebob]

9. All Gerrymandering is Unconstitutional, At Least in Spirit

And it ought to be in law.

[Ellipsis]

10. K&R

[Jimbo S]

11. Wonderful news

This is an ongoing issue dear to me. I contributed an analysis to blogging blue providing my own statistical evidence the current gerrymandering in Wisconsin is the worst ever. I attended a presentation by one of the plaintiffs (name not listed in the article) and he had high hopes for victory. I contributed a nominal amount of money to fund the suit and it's nice to see the investment pay off. Hopefully, democracy will begin to return to Wisconsin.