Letters to the Editor

Gerrymandering - a weird word that names an even weirder practice, one that has never seemed to me like it should be legal. Gerrymander definition: To divide a state etc. into election districts to give one party UNFAIR advantage in elections. Wisconsin is one of the most unfairly divided states, which has resulted in an almost complete stranglehold by the Republican party. In the past that has worked for the Democrats as well. Election districts need to be determined in a way that NO party can control the outcome of our elections in this manner. Each of our votes should count equally. In our neighboring state of Iowa, civil servants – and not the leaders of the party in power – draw the district maps. It is unlawful for them to use demographic voting data to rig the districts in favor of one party or another. We citizens need to support current efforts to redraw election districts in a way that will allow all candidates an equal chance to be chosen by voters to be their representatives.   Ann Campoll and Willy Walter Town of Roxbury   Dear Editor, It is embarrassing that Wisconsin, one of the most historically progressive states (Robert LaFollette and Direct Election of Senators), sits behind Iowa in the way we draw voting districts. Why is this? It’s because Wisconsin Republicans drew these districts SECRETLY in 2011. There was no input from anyone, except the lawyers they hired using taxpayer dollars to gerrymander these districts. Now, Republicans are spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fight a FAIR redistricting of these voting districts. They continue to do this, even though 55 of the 72 counties in Wisconsin want to see new FAIR MAPS drawn. It is obvious that the Republicans are afraid to have new fair maps. NO political party should use taxpayer money to enhance its power and to deny fair elections and equal representation. ALL Wisconsin citizens, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, should call their legislator and demand fair new voting maps, like Iowa has.   Wayne Bruno Merrimac       Indivisible Sauk Prairie is proud to endorse Jill Underly for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. She shares our value of fully supporting our public schools. Jill will work hard to solve Wisconsin’s problems dealing with all forms of inequity. She strongly supports a revision of our school finance system, since the current funding of our public schools, which is primarily from local property taxes, has failed. Right now, because of the disparity in property values in Wisconsin school districts, we have both well-funded and under-funded districts. Jill wants to follow the recommendations of the 2019 Blue Ribbon Commission on Education Funding for fair funding of all our public schools.  Jill Underly is strongly against the expansion of taxpayer-funded private school vouchers. Public school funds should not be going to private schools. Those funds are needed for programs to improve equity and student achievement.  Jill also wants all districts to have early childhood programs because they provide a strong start and furnish opportunities for children.  Jill will fight all inequity based on skin color, gender, ability, orientation, socio-economic status, and zip code. Wisconsin needs Jill Underly.  Learn more at underlyforwi.com Vote April 6th.   Sue Heintz  Indivisible Sauk Prairie Group Leader Roxbury