Presentation on Wisconsin’s gerrymandering lawsuit is Nov. 7

Two people close to Wisconsin’s gerrymandering lawsuit will give an update on the case at a community supper at the Viroqua American Legion on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case Oct. 3 following a lower court’s 2–1 opinion that the state’s 2011 Assembly redistricting plan was a partisan gerrymander, which guarantees a Republican majority in the state Assembly “in any likely electoral scenario.”

Emily Bunting of Viola, one of the plaintiffs, will speak on her impressions from attending the hearing.

“We felt our arguments were strong,” she said. “Paul Smith (an attorney with the Campaign Legal Center who argued the plaintiffs’ case) did an excellent job of presenting them, and the Justices seemed engaged and asked lots of questions. We’re optimistic that they’ll agree with us in this case.”

Stephen Schulhofer, professor at New York University School of Law, who wrote one of the briefs, will discuss the legal standard, prospects for success, and the path ahead whether the plaintiffs are successful or not.

“The court’s decision will have widespread national implications, along with its immediate implications for Wisconsin Assembly elections in 2018 and 2020, the elections that will determine who draws district lines for the next decade,” he said. (States draw new redistricting lines following each census.)

“But success in the Supreme Court will not be a panacea,” Schulhofer said. “Without a new system such as a nonpartisan districting commission, highly partisan gerrymandering will remain a significant danger even under the most favorable conceivable decision from the Supreme Court.”

The event at the Viroqua American Legion,120 N. Rusk Ave., across from Nelson Agri Center, is free and open to the public. At 5:30 p.m., people attending can purchase tacos for $1.50 at the Legion bar. The program will begin at approximately 6:15 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. This is the fifth community supper held in communities throughout Vernon County this year by the Vernon County Democratic Party.



Comments are closed.

  • Easter egg hunts slated for Saturday

    March 25th, 2024
    by

    Local communities will host Easter egg hunts on Saturday.


    Highway 33 reconstruction from Ontario to Hillsboro slated to begin March 27

    March 19th, 2024
    by

    Gov. Tony Evers recently signed a $5.7 million contract to resurface Highway 33 between the Kickapoo River bridge in Ontario and the Hillsboro city limits in Vernon County. 


    Names released in fatal UTV crash

    March 18th, 2024
    by

    The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has released more information related to the UTV crash that occurred early Sunday morning, March 17, that left a local woman dead and a man injured.   


    One dead in UTV accident in town of Wells

    March 17th, 2024
    by

    A woman is dead and one man injured after a utility terrain vehicle rolled over early Sunday morning in rural Sparta. 


    Burn ban issued for Vernon County

    March 17th, 2024
    by

    Effective immediately, Vernon County Emergency Management and the Vernon County Fire Chiefs Association has issued a burn ban until further notice.


  • Window damaged at Norwalk Village Office

    March 8th, 2024
    by

    In an apparent act of vandalism, a rock resulted in a broken window at the Norwalk Village Office sometime between […]


    N-O-W construction project: A bird’s-eye view

    March 2nd, 2024
    by

    Construction at Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School Schools has resulted in a different landscape.


    Brookwood to present ‘Harry Potter’ parody

    February 26th, 2024
    by

    The Brookwood theatre program will present “Sally Cotter and the Censored Stone” on Saturday, March 2, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 3, at 2 p.m. 


    Combating tooth decay among children

    February 26th, 2024
    by

    During Children’s Dental Health Month, Scenic Bluffs raises awareness on the importance of dental sealants


    Vernon County reports shots fired in rural Ontario

    February 26th, 2024
    by

    UPDATE FROM THE VERNON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE “** UPDATE (1:15 PM): The situation is under control. A male, age 42, […]


    Royall concert slated for Monday

    February 21st, 2024
    by

    The Royall High School Music Department will present a Concert Festival Showcase Concert on Monday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. 


  • Archives