Wisconsin Republicans have been openly considering whether to Pass a Series of Power Grabs in the upcoming Lame-Duck Session before they Lose their Grip on State Government when Democrat, Tony Evers, is sworn in as Governor in January 2019, and now that Democrats fear this Plot could Include an Effort to Prevent Evers from stopping GOP Gerrymandering after the 2020 Census.
Wisconsin is so infamously Gerrymandered that Reformers Sued all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in a Major Case this year that is currently being Re-Heard by a Lower Court.
In 2012, when the Current District Lines came into Effect, Democrats Won more Votes than Republicans yet Won Fewer Seats. In 2018, they came nowhere Close to Breaking the GOP’s Legislative Majorities despite Sweeping every Statewide Election for the First Time since 1982.
Under the Status Quo, Evers would be able to Veto future Republican Gerrymanders after the 2020 Census, either forcing GOP Legislators to Compromise or Resulting in a Court Drawing Nonpartisan Districts.
However, Republicans could try Passing a Law before Current Republican Gov. Walker leaves Office that Removes the Governor’s Ability to Veto New Maps, leaving Democratic Lawmakers unable to Repeal such a Statute even when Evers assumes the Governorship, since Republicans will Retain Firm Control of the Legislature.
It's questionable if such a devious ploy would Survive an All-but-Guaranteed Lawsuit, but Republicans hold a 4-to-3 Majority on the State Supreme Court, so that’s a Question which Democrats would be best off not Needing to Know the Answer to.
However, if Republicans do indeed go ahead with such an Undemocratic Power Grab and get a Favorable Ruling in the Courts, there’s still Hope.
Democrats will need to Prevail in next April's Nonpartisan State Supreme Court Election to Defend an Open Seat held by a Retiring Liberal Justice and then Oust One of Walker’s Hard-Right Appointees who will be up for a Full Term in 2020.
This would Break the GOP’s Majority on the Court in time for the Next Round of Redistricting, and, with any luck, give Democrats a Favorable venue for Challenging any Future Republican Gerrymanders.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
