And what does he have to do with voting?
[link removed]
Dear John, OK, Jerry Mander doesn't have anything, that I know of, to do with Gerrymandering. According to Wikipedia he "is an American activist and author, best known for his 1978 book, Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television." That may be an interesting read.
The “Gerry-Mander” cartoon first appeared in the Boston Gazette, March 26, 1812, and was [link removed] reprinted in Federalist newspapers in Salem (this copy is from the Salem Gazette from April 2, 1813) and Boston. The cartoon expressed opposition to state election districts newly redrawn by Massachusetts’ Jeffersonian Democratic-Republican Party, led by Governor Elbridge Gerry. Fearing that the Federalist Party would gain power in the 1812 election, Gerry consolidated Federalist voting strength in a salamander-shaped voting district. The practice—though not invented by Gerry—became known as a “gerrymandering.
- Smithsonian, National Museum of American History
Next Tuesday's meeting focus' on Wisconsin gerrymandering, its impact, and how it relates to climate heating.
350 Milwaukee's "2nd Tuesday" meetings are an open forum - everyone is invited
and anyone can drop in. Please forward this invitation to your climate/environment mailing list and your friends. 350 Milwaukee
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350 Milwaukee Meeting
Tuesday, February 9, 7 - 8:30pm
Zoom Virtual Meeting
Wisconsin Fair Maps
Matt Rothschild - Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Wisconsin State Representatives
After each Census (i.e. 2020) the state's congressional and senate districts (both federal and state) are redrawn based on the census population numbers so that each district within the state includes the same number of residents - equal representation. 2021 is the year those district boundaries will be redrawn.
"Partisan gerrymandering is a practice that attempts to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating geographic boundaries to create partisan or incumbent-protected districts." - Fair Maps Coalition
Gerrymandering -
Why should voters choose the representatives
when the representatives can choose the voters?
Next Tuesday's 350 MKE monthly meeting focuses on gerrymandering. Why? To reach net zero by 2050 Wisconsin will need a massive transformation from fossil fuels to renewables on a personal, commercial and industrial scale. This will require major governmental action.
This past January confirms that we still live in a democracy. Yes, our vote does count but not in Wisconsin. Because of gerrymandering, we live in voting districts that have been drawn to guarantee dominance by one party. Statewide, one party consistently holds 60% of the legislative seats while the other party holds 40%. Consequently, Wis consin has fallen dramatically from its leadership in environment and renewable energy.
If we want leadership at the state level that reflects our interest in the
environment and fighting climate change we need to elect legislators who represent the view of Wisconsin's citizens fairly. Getting out the vote is not enough if our election districts are drawn to ensure an advantage to the party that draws the districts. Thus, to protect our environment and fight climate change we need to redraw our election districts so we have a fair chance at securing the necessary legislation that will get us to net zero emissions by 2050.
Below are links to a few video presentations that will give you some background before the meeting. There are explanations of gerrymandering, how it’s done, and the impact it has on our lives locally and statewide.
Gerrymandering Resources
Learn more before the meeting
Wisconsin Deserves Fair Election Maps ([link removed]) is a presentation by Sachin Chheda, Director of the Fair Election Project. This one hour video provides an in-depth look at gerrymandering in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Supreme Court Case and grassroots action strategies that have massive bipartisan support throughout Wisconsin.
Don't have an hour? You can watch individual chapters. Here are three key clips:
* Clip 3 - Misalignment of Votes and Seats
* Clip 4 - How to Gerrymander
* Clip 7 - Look at the Law
Then here are two videos that look at the gerrymandering between Milwaukee and two of the surrounding suburban areas. Bill Whitford, lead plaintiff in Gill V Whiftord, narrates the process using motion graphics. Bill is joined by guests who share their stories about gerrymandering and/or why they joined as plaintiffs in the Wisconsin Supreme Court Case.
Fair Maps - Milwaukee & Western Suburbs ([link removed])
Fair Maps – Milwaukee & Northern Suburbs ([link removed])
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Time: Tuesday, February 9, 7 - 8:30pm
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Meeting ID: 812 5630 0336
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