For Immediate Release Contact: Rep. Katrina Shankland
June 18, 2018 (608) 267-9649
MADISON – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in the Gill v. Whitford redistricting case, which was brought before the court after a U.S. District Court found Wisconsin’s legislative district boundaries to be an “unconstitutional partisan gerrymander.” In its decision, the U.S. Supreme Court did not uphold or outright reject the gerrymandered maps, but referred the case back to a lower court by ruling that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate the individual and personal injury necessary for standing in court.
In response, State Representative Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) released the following statement:
“While I’m disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court has chosen to sidestep the gerrymandering issue, I am heartened that this high-profile case has created public pressure to pass fair maps and end partisan gerrymandering once and for all. I thank the plaintiffs for bringing the case and look forward to the federal court’s decision in the future.
“With fall elections approaching in just a few months, every Wisconsin voter deserves certainty that their vote will count as much as their neighbor’s and that their legislators are elected to truly represent them. Anything short undermines the integrity of our voting process, the very cornerstone of our democracy.
“As the Gill v. Whitford case continues, the most critical priority that the legislature must focus on is instituting fair and impartial nonpartisan redistricting reform. Politics must be removed from the redistricting process so that no political party can twist and bend legislative boundaries to rig the game in their favor. The best part is, no court decision is necessary for nonpartisan redistricting reform – just political courage from the other side of the aisle. Voters should choose their elected representatives, not the other way around.”
