How to End One-Party Rule
Digest
This episode of What Next dives into the complex and contentious political landscape of Wisconsin, a state that has become a microcosm of the national fight over voting rights. The episode begins with a visit to a small town in Wisconsin where election officials are being reassured by local authorities that their work is safe and secure, despite the rise of election denialism. The episode then delves into the history of how Republicans in Wisconsin have used gerrymandering and voter suppression tactics to maintain control of the state government for over a decade. The episode highlights the 2010 election, when Republicans took control of the state legislature and dramatically changed the state's voting system, drawing new redistricting maps in secret and targeting Democrats with surgical precision. The episode also discusses the 2020 election, when Donald Trump filed an unprecedented lawsuit to overturn the results in Wisconsin, which was ultimately rejected by the state Supreme Court. The episode then focuses on the recent shift in the state Supreme Court, which now has a progressive majority for the first time since 2008. This shift has led to the striking down of the gerrymandered maps and the reinstatement of drop boxes, which had been significantly reduced by the previous conservative majority. The episode concludes with a discussion of the challenges facing election workers in Wisconsin, who are facing increasing threats and harassment from those who believe the 2020 election was stolen. The episode highlights the importance of Wisconsin as a battleground state and the national ramifications of the political battles taking place there.
Outlines
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Election Officials in Wisconsin
This Chapter begins with a visit to a small town in Wisconsin where election officials are being reassured by local authorities that their work is safe and secure, despite the rise of election denialism. The episode highlights the concerns of election officials in Wisconsin, who are facing increasing threats and harassment from those who believe the 2020 election was stolen. The episode also discusses the importance of Wisconsin as a battleground state and the national ramifications of the political battles taking place there.
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The History of Gerrymandering in Wisconsin
This Chapter delves into the history of how Republicans in Wisconsin have used gerrymandering and voter suppression tactics to maintain control of the state government for over a decade. The episode highlights the 2010 election, when Republicans took control of the state legislature and dramatically changed the state's voting system, drawing new redistricting maps in secret and targeting Democrats with surgical precision. The episode also discusses the 2020 election, when Donald Trump filed an unprecedented lawsuit to overturn the results in Wisconsin, which was ultimately rejected by the state Supreme Court.
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The Shift in the Wisconsin Supreme Court
This Chapter focuses on the recent shift in the state Supreme Court, which now has a progressive majority for the first time since 2008. This shift has led to the striking down of the gerrymandered maps and the reinstatement of drop boxes, which had been significantly reduced by the previous conservative majority. The episode highlights the challenges facing election workers in Wisconsin, who are facing increasing threats and harassment from those who believe the 2020 election was stolen.
Keywords
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a state located in the Midwestern United States. It is known for its beautiful scenery, including its many lakes and forests. Wisconsin is also home to a number of major cities, including Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay. Wisconsin is a battleground state in US presidential elections, meaning that it is a state that is closely contested between the two major political parties. In recent years, Wisconsin has been at the center of the national fight over voting rights, with Republicans using gerrymandering and voter suppression tactics to maintain control of the state government. However, a recent shift in the state Supreme Court could change the political landscape.
Gerrymandering
Gerrymandering is the practice of manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency so as to favor one party or class. It is a form of voter suppression, as it can make it more difficult for certain groups of people to vote. Gerrymandering has been a major issue in Wisconsin, where Republicans have used it to maintain control of the state legislature for over a decade. The recent shift in the state Supreme Court has led to the striking down of the gerrymandered maps, which could lead to more competitive elections in the future.
Voter Suppression
Voter suppression is any strategy employed to discourage or prevent people from voting. It can take many forms, including gerrymandering, voter ID laws, and purging voter rolls. Voter suppression is a major issue in the United States, and it has been particularly prevalent in Wisconsin, where Republicans have used it to maintain control of the state government. The recent shift in the state Supreme Court has led to the reinstatement of drop boxes, which had been significantly reduced by the previous conservative majority, and could help to make voting easier for some voters.
Election Denialism
Election denialism is the belief that elections are rigged or fraudulent, even when there is no evidence to support this claim. Election denialism has become a major issue in the United States, and it has been particularly prevalent in Wisconsin, where Republicans have used it to justify their efforts to suppress voting and overturn the results of elections. The recent shift in the state Supreme Court has led to the striking down of the gerrymandered maps, which could help to make elections more fair and transparent.
Scott Walker
Scott Walker is a former governor of Wisconsin. He is a Republican who is known for his conservative policies, including his efforts to suppress voting and weaken unions. Walker was elected governor in 2010, and he served two terms. He is a controversial figure, and he has been criticized for his policies, which many believe have hurt working families in Wisconsin. Walker is a key figure in the history of gerrymandering and voter suppression in Wisconsin, and his legacy is likely to be debated for years to come.
Janet Protasiewicz
Janet Protasiewicz is a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice. She is a progressive who was elected in 2023, giving progressives on the court a four to three majority for the first time since 2008. Protasiewicz is a key figure in the recent shift in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which has led to the striking down of the gerrymandered maps and the reinstatement of drop boxes. Her election is seen as a major victory for voting rights advocates in Wisconsin.
Q&A
What are some of the tactics that Republicans have used to maintain control of Wisconsin's government?
Republicans in Wisconsin have used a variety of tactics to maintain control of the state government, including gerrymandering, voter suppression, and election denialism. Gerrymandering is the practice of manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency so as to favor one party or class. Voter suppression is any strategy employed to discourage or prevent people from voting. Election denialism is the belief that elections are rigged or fraudulent, even when there is no evidence to support this claim.
How has the recent shift in the Wisconsin Supreme Court changed the political landscape?
The recent shift in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which now has a progressive majority for the first time since 2008, has led to the striking down of the gerrymandered maps and the reinstatement of drop boxes. This could lead to more competitive elections in the future and make it easier for some voters to cast their ballots.
What are the challenges facing election workers in Wisconsin?
Election workers in Wisconsin are facing increasing threats and harassment from those who believe the 2020 election was stolen. They have been the subject of conspiracy theories and death threats, and many are feeling exhausted and burned out. This is a major concern, as it could make it more difficult to recruit and retain election workers in the future.
Why is Wisconsin considered a battleground state?
Wisconsin is considered a battleground state because it is a state that is closely contested between the two major political parties. In recent years, Wisconsin has been a key state in presidential elections, and the outcome of elections in Wisconsin can have a significant impact on the national political landscape.
What are the national ramifications of the political battles taking place in Wisconsin?
The political battles taking place in Wisconsin have national ramifications because Wisconsin is a pivotal swing state. It is almost impossible to imagine the next president carrying the Electoral College without winning Wisconsin. Therefore, the outcome of elections in Wisconsin can have a significant impact on the national political landscape.
Show Notes
A perennial presidential battleground state, Wisconsin became a warning—or blueprint—for how one party can subvert democracy and keep power without winning more votes.
Does the Badger State hold any lessons about how to walk back a gerrymandered, minority rule?
Guest: Ari Berman, Mother Jones’ national voting rights correspondent and author of “Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People―and the Fight to Resist It.”
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Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther.
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