Controversial redistricting resolution divides board

In front of a packed meeting room, Ozaukee County Board supervisors put off voting on a resolution that if passed would ask county voters whether the state should create a nonpartisan process for redistricting legislative and congressional districts.

On a 16-10 vote, supervisors voted to delay voting on the resolution until they meet on Jan. 15, 2020, to give Corporation Counsel Rhonda Gordon more time to research the issue.

The resolution was submitted by supervisors Kathy Geracie, Linda Krieg, Justin Strom, Rob Holyoke, David Henrichs, Janette Braverman, Alice Read and Jennifer Rothstein.

It appeared to be modeled after a generic template found on the Madison-based Wisconsin Democracy Campaign website, which provided “Fair Maps” signs that were on display at Wednesday’s board meeting.

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign says 50 counties have passed a Fair Maps resolution going back to 2013. Eight counties have passed such a referendum since 2014, most recently in La Crosse and Vernon counties in April.

Redistricting of state and congressional districts occurs every 10 years following each census.

In most states, the state legislature has primary control of the redistricting process and are subject to a veto by the governor. 

Five states — Iowa, Maine, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont — appoint advisory commissions to help in the process.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Republicans constitute the majority in 29 legislatures. In 21 of those, the governor also is a Republican. That compares to 19 Democrat legislative majorities, 15 of which also have a Democrat governor.

The Fair Maps effort says political parties  gerrymander the redistricting process to favor the party in power.

Critics, however, say the movement is primarily led by those with Democratic Party connections, such as former U.S. attorney general Eric Holder, whose goal is to take control away from elected Republicans.

Some of those in attendance urged supervisors to put the non-binding, advisory referendum on the April 2020 ballot, calling Wisconsin’s redistricting process “incompatible with democratic principles” that fosters “revenge politics.”

The referendum would ask that “the Wisconsin Legislature create a nonpartisan procedure for the preparation of state legislative and congressional district plans and maps.”

Supr. Marty Wolf said he opposed the resolution.

“In the long run, it actually removes the voice of the people from the process,” Wolf said. “And we do not have the statutory authority to put this on the ballot.”

Wolf made a motion that the issue be shelved “indefinitely” based on Gordon’s opinion that the matter is beyond the board’s purview.

“It’s very transparent what’s going on,” Henrichs shot back. “People do not want to go on the record on this. I’m very disappointed that this tactic is being used.”

Wolf said it was no tactic.

“We’re acting outside of our statutory authority. It’s a non-issue,” Wolf said.

In an interview, County Board Chairman Lee Schlenvogt said he opposed the resolution, saying it would introduce partisan politics into the County Board.

“I’m afraid politics gets involved and then we have a split board,” he said. “People are passionate about what they believe. We have disagreements on the County Board but we leave them on the floor. I just don’t need a political divide in our board.”

Supr. Don Dohrwardt pointed out that resolution supporters could also get it on the ballot by circulating petitions.

“I just don’t think this subject belongs in this body’s hands,” he said.

Rothstein introduced a second motion that a vote on the resolution be delayed until the Jan. 15 board meeting to give Gordon more time to research the issue.

Her motion passed.