Work together to improve redistricting

Let’s draw! Some Wisconsin lawmakers are suggesting changes to Wisconsin’s process of redistricting, drawing new legislative boundaries every ten years. A panel of federal judges has declared the current maps, drawn by republicans, is unconstitutional. The judges have encouraged both parties to submit plans for improving the projects, and now, one Wisconsin lawmaker has come up with a plan to make the system fair. Senator Dave Hanson of Green Bay says he will introduce legislation that would take politics out of the redistricting process. Under the current system, whatever political party is in charge at the time the boundaries are to be drawn is in charge of doing so. That has led to abuse, by both parties, which gerry-mander the districts to make them more friendly to their candidates. Hanson’s plan would place the duties of drawing boundaries not in the hands of one party, but in the hands of both parties. Unfortunately, Hanson’s idea isn’t likely to go far. Republicans control both the Assembly and the Senate, and they will control what legislation makes it to the floor for debate. But both parties have a responsibility to come up with ideas to improve the process, and simply standing in the way is not a worthwhile idea.