DARLINGTON — The Lafayette County Democratic Party will be hosting a “Let’s Work For Fair Maps” Dinner Event at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26. The event is open to all curious citizens. 

There will be a special performance by “The Raging Grannies”; a panel of fair maps experts including Senator Jeff Smith; a Fair Labor Law Representative, and Carlene Bechen of the Fair Maps Coalition with a Q & A. 

This Dinner Event will be at the Darlington Country Club, 17098 Country Club Road. All participants are welcome, regardless of political affiliation or opinion. Dinner is included in the price of the ticket ($35). Tickets are available at the Lafayette County Democratic Party Office, 308 Main St, Darlington, during open office hours: Wednesday 2-6 p.m., Thursday 4:30-6:30 p.m., Friday 3-5 p.m., or by calling 608-520-0303. Other panelists may be announced closer to the event. 

Pursuant to Article VI, Section 3 of the Wisconsin Constitution, the Wisconsin Legislature is directed to redistrict state legislative districts “according to the number of inhabitants” at its next session following the decennial federal census. The Legislature also reapportions congressional districts at the same interval pursuant to federal law. Because state and federal legislative redistricting is controlled by the majority party at the time of the redistricting, legislative and congressional plans in Wisconsin have been subject to partisan influence that puts the desires of politicians ahead of the electoral prerogative of the people. Redistricting to achieve partisan gains is improper, whether it is done by Republicans or Democrats.

A panel of federal district court judges ruled that the redistricting done in Wisconsin in 2011 was unconstitutional. Legal fees in defense of the 2011 redistricting cost taxpayers in excess of $4 million. 

The state and congressional districts belong to the citizens of Wisconsin and not to any legislator, interest group or political party, the redistricting process should not be a tool used by those in power to protect and bolster their power, but should be designed with the best interest of Wisconsin’s democracy and its citizens.

Wisconsin’s historical practice of redistricting by the majority party in each legislative chamber is an outdated practice that stifles political competition, discourages compromise, ensures continued control by the party in power, and lacks the transparency necessary to reinforce citizens’ faith in the democratic process. 

There is a critical need at this time to restore trust, compromise and fair competition in Wisconsin politics. A 2019 Marquette Law School Poll showed that 72% of Wisconsin voters support a nonpartisan process for drawing voting districts. This process is supported by the passing of Fair Map Resolutions by 57 county boards and the passing of Fair Map Advisory Referenda in many red and blue counties and municipalities throughout the state. 

Using an independent, nonpartisan body to draw maps and prohibiting the use of political and voting data in their development would result in fair maps for Wisconsin. District lines are drawn based on factors like population equality, compactness and require an independent, nonpartisan district map drawing process which ensures meaningful elections in which all votes count equally. All state and local decisions on health care, jobs, the environment, education, and more rely on fair maps. 

The Lafayette County Democratic Party is a membership organization of volunteers committed to engaged citizens, civic engagement, and civil conversation about the pressing issues of our time. The group meets monthly to plan events. Reach out to LafCoDems22@gmail.com or 608-520-0303 for more information. Follow on Facebook at Lafayette County Democratic Party.