Last week, Republicans passed maps that were largely the same as those drawn by Governor Evers and submitted to the Supreme Court in the current redistricting case. The only changes made were to fit the most egregious gerrymanders drawn by the Governor, himself. There were several district lines that cut current representatives out of their district with razor-thin accuracy. One representative's home was cut out by 15 feet! Almost no changes were made to Democrat seats, only Republicans - a clear indication that this is purely political, with no intention to make good on their ridiculous claims that “fair” maps are their goal.

In the making of the minuscule changes to his map, I tried to contact Governor Evers for a meeting, but he refused to take it, and the Democrats were also invited to negotiate, but also decided to play politics instead. In the end, Republicans adjusted only a couple of the districts that were outrageously gerrymandered to cut representatives out. The changes were so miniscule, that the Evers maps remained 99.7% the same.

I am disappointed but not surprised by Governor Evers’ veto. His claim that the maps he proposed were, ‘responsive to the will of the people, avoided partisan bias and increased competitive legislation seats,’ fell completely apart because of a 0.3% change to stop a few politically vindictive incumbent pairings. By signing, he would have gotten 99.7% of the maps he’s proposed in court. In divided government, getting 99.7% of what you want is a win. Not taking it means they know the fix is in with the Supreme Court and his veto solidifies what we’ve known all along: The newest justice can’t be independent after she took $10 million in campaign donations from the Democratic party and will make good on her prejudgment of this case before she was even sworn in.

This kind of judicial activism should truly worry every Wisconsin citizen.