FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 8, 2015
 

The ACLU of Wisconsin released the following statement on the lawsuit, filed today in Federal Court, challenging the drawing of voting maps in Wisconsin to benefit the political party in power and reduce competition.  The following statement can be attributed to Chris Ahmuty, Executive Director of the ACLU of Wisconsin:

 

“When 53% of citizens vote for one party, but that party gets 39% of the legislative seats, something is askew.  Past redistricting practices and tactics have resulted in unequal voting power among citizens, providing unfair representation for communities of color, and fragmentation of communities of interest. No plan is insulated entirely from partisan bias, but elected officials and the courts have an obligation to ensure that the public good is not sacrificed to the self-interest of political parties. Such practices alienate voters and weaken democracy.”

 

The ACLU of Wisconsin does not endorse candidates, so we do not have a partisan stake in the outcome of elections. However, we are committed to ensuring that Wisconsin citizens can cast ballots that will produce a meaningfully representative government.

The ACLU of Wisconsin is a non-profit, non-partisan, private organization whose 7,000 members support its efforts to defend the civil rights and liberties of all Wisconsin residents. For more on the ACLU of Wisconsin, visit our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @ACLUofWisconsin and @ACLUMadison.