GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Coronavirus is slowing down the country’s census process.
A hold up on the country’s head count could mean a hold up for Wisconsin’s Legislature as it gets ready to redraw voting maps.
“It really could become a battle between Republicans and Democrats in terms of trying to get that done in order to have new maps for the next election,” said Appleton state representative Amanda Stuck.
Every ten years the U.S. Census Bureau hands out its census. You can complete yours by mail, by phone or online.
Census results are given to each state, then those states use that updated info to draw voter maps, controlling who you vote for.
But the last time voter maps were drawn under then republican governor Scott Walker, controversy ensued.
“The current maps we have which again we know have been found to be incredibly gerrymandered,” said Stuck.
Democrats contend Republicans drew district lines to favor Republicans. But Republican State Representative Davis Steffen tells FOX 11….
“I think that has been used as a talking point by Democrats. The reality is that it’s more about the candidates and the operations and the message than anything else.”
Steffen adds this time around redrawing district lines will take cooperation on both sides.
“We’re going to have to work with the Governor in deciding what those maps look like and I will remain hopeful that we find a way to come to an agreement. If we don’t there could be some real challenges with getting the maps done in time for the 2022 election.”
Legislative maps have already shown itself as a contentious issue as Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order weeks ago, creating a commission to draw new legislative maps after the 2020 census.
However the state’s constitution says the right to draw voter maps belongs to the Legislature.
But if the Legislature and the Governor can’t get on the same page, taxpayer dollars could end up funding yet another court battle.
