Wisconsin redistricting consultants to receive $100K for map recommendations or personal drafts
Wisconsin’s New Legislative Districts Under Scrutiny: Experts to be Paid Up to $100,000 Each
Exciting developments are underway in Wisconsin as two esteemed experts are set to analyze the state’s new legislative districts. And guess what? They’ll be paid a whopping $100,000 each from taxpayer funds! Talk about a high-stakes gig!
Under their contract, these consultants will receive an impressive hourly rate of $450. But here’s the kicker: if the state director of courts deems it necessary, they could even exceed the maximum payment. Now that’s what I call a vote of confidence!
Meet the Experts
Let’s get acquainted with the brilliant minds behind this crucial task. First up, we have Bernard Grofman, a political scientist from the prestigious University of California, Irvine. He’s no stranger to redistricting, having been hired by Virginia’s Supreme Court in 2021 to draw maps. And get this, he worked alongside a Republican special master, despite being selected by Democrats. Talk about bridging the political divide!
Our second expert is Jonathan Cervas, a postdoctoral fellow at Carnegie Mellon University. Cervas has an impressive track record, having worked on redistricting projects in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Virginia, and Utah. In fact, he was even hired by a New York judge in 2022 to redraw legislative districts after the Democratic-proposed maps were deemed unconstitutional. Now that’s what I call expertise!
Implications for the 2024 Election
Hold on to your hats, folks, because this is where things get really interesting. The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently ruled that the current Republican-drawn maps are unconstitutional. This groundbreaking decision, made by the newly liberal court, could have major implications for the upcoming 2024 election. Buckle up, Wisconsin!
But wait, there’s more! Prior to this ruling, Wisconsin Republicans even threatened to impeach Justice Janet Protasiewicz if she didn’t recuse herself from the redistricting lawsuits. Why? Well, it turns out she had been quite vocal about her opposition to the Republican-drawn districts during her campaign. Protasiewicz, a Democrat, managed to flip the conservative court when she took office in the summer. Talk about a game-changer!
Now, the ball is in the court of state Senate Republicans, who have filed a motion asking the Supreme Court to reconsider their decision to overturn the Wisconsin legislative maps. They argue that meeting the court’s January 12 deadline for new maps is simply impossible. The two consultants, on the other hand, have until February 1 to review the maps. They can either be passed by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Tony Evers, or the consultants themselves can take matters into their own hands. The suspense is killing me!
It’s worth noting that redistricting battles have been raging across the country since the 2020 census. Partisanship claims have been at the forefront of these legal disputes, and Wisconsin is no exception. Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling saga!
Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.
Why are experts like Bernard Grofman and Jonathan Cervas being paid a high price for their services in the redistricting process?
Eorgia, and North Carolina. With his expertise, he has helped ensure fair and impartial political representation in these states. Now, Wisconsin is lucky to have him on board to scrutinize their new legislative districts.
The Task at Hand
So, what exactly will these experts be doing? Well, their primary task will be to evaluate whether the newly drawn legislative districts in Wisconsin comply with the state and federal laws regarding redistricting. This is a crucial step to ensure that the districts are fair, non-partisan, and representative of the state’s diverse population.
They will assess factors such as compactness, contiguity, and the preservation of communities of interest. Additionally, they will examine whether the districts have been gerrymandered to benefit any particular political party. Their analysis will play a vital role in determining the legality and fairness of Wisconsin’s new legislative districts.
Why the High Price Tag?
You might be wondering, why are these experts being paid such a hefty sum? Well, redistricting is an intricate and complex task that requires specialized knowledge and skills. It is not something that can be done haphazardly or without the guidance of experts in the field.
By paying top dollar for experienced professionals like Grofman and Cervas, Wisconsin is ensuring that the redistricting process is conducted with the utmost care and expertise. By investing in these experts, the state hopes to minimize the chances of lawsuits and legal challenges related to redistricting, saving taxpayer money in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Wisconsin’s new legislative districts are a matter of great importance for the state and its residents. The fairness and integrity of these districts will have a significant impact on political representation and the democratic process.
By hiring distinguished experts like Bernard Grofman and Jonathan Cervas, Wisconsin is taking a proactive and responsible approach to redistricting. The scrutiny and evaluation conducted by these experts will help ensure that the state’s legislative districts are fair, non-partisan, and comply with the law.
While the high price tag may raise some eyebrows, it is a necessary investment to safeguard the integrity of the redistricting process. Wisconsin residents can rest assured knowing that their taxpayer funds are being used to ensure a fair and representative political system.
So, let the experts do their work, and let us hope that the result is a set of legislative districts that accurately reflect the voice and diversity of Wisconsin’s population. The eyes of the nation are on this process, and all Wisconsinites deserve nothing less than a redistricting that upholds the principles of democracy.
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