Resident addresses referendum on November ballet

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Dear Citizens of Waushara County,

 

Waushara County Citi-zens have an opportunity to support adding a referendum on the November ballot to end gerrymandering. Gerrymandering rigs the maps to keep one party in power. Gerrymandering is wrong whether Democrats or Republicans are responsible for it.

The question to appear on your ballot may not be these exact words, but will help see the intent: “Should Waushara County request that the Wisconsin Legislature create a nonpartisan procedure to end the practise of Gerrymandering in Wisconsin? Yes or No.”

Currently, over 50 of Wisconsin’s 72 County Boards have either passed similar referendums or their county boards have passed resolutions supporting an end to gerrymandering. Before the recent Wisconsin Legislative session closed two bills were introduced to give us a fair, independent, nonpartisan way to do redistricting. Both Democrats and Republicans sponsored these bills.

This bipartisan support is not surprising. A Marquette Law School poll earlier this year showed that 72 percent of Wisconsinites want to ban Gerrymandering, and includes 63 percent of Republicans and 76 percent of Independents. While a referendum is nonbinding, supporting it tells our legislators how Waushara’s citizens feel about gerrymandering. Please consider contacting your County Board member to encourage their support to put this question on the November ballot. It’s your chance as a voter to have your voice heard.

Judy Harris

Neshkoro, WI 54960

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