MADISON, Wis. -- As the dust settles from the 2020 election, some of the attention will shift toward another hotly debated issue: redistricting. In Wisconsin, groups advocating for a fair process say it's likely to be another political fight.

Each state redraws its legislative maps every 10 years after the census. Wisconsin's Constitution gives that power to the Legislature, and in 2010, Republicans controlled all levels of government, putting them in charge of the process. Jay Heck, executive director of the nonpartisan group Common Cause Wisconsin, said they used it to their advantage to the point where some voters don't have a real say in who represents them.

"In Wisconsin, only 10% of the 99 Assembly seats, only about nine of them, are even remotely competitive," he said. "The same is true in the 33 state Senate elections."

An Associated Press analysis of 2018 election results showed Wisconsin's districts had among the largest Republican tilts in the nation. Heck's group helped get an advisory referendum in 11 counties this fall, asking for an independent process. Gov. Tony Evers also established a nonpartisan redistricting commission, but GOP leaders call it unconstitutional and have signaled they'll go forward with their own maps.

Heck said that unlike 2011, when a Republican governor was in place, Evers, a Democrat, could veto any new map strictly drawn by Republicans. But it still could end up before the conservative-leaning state Supreme Court. In the meantime, Heck said applying more public pressure -- through the referendum process -- could help convince leaders that voters don't want partisanship playing such a big role in a key process.

"In the 17 counties where they've been held before," he said, "every time they're on the ballot, voters - regardless of whether the county is a deep red, a deep blue or somewhere in-between - voters have voted overwhelmingly in support of nonpartisan redistricting."

He said they hope to get more referendums on the spring election ballot, just as the redistricting process takes shape. If Democrats ever gain a clear edge in the process, Heck said, he hopes they don't retaliate and use it their advantage, noting that would defeat the purpose of creating a level playing field.


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Voting rights advocates are asking for the immediate reinstatement of more than 1,600 Virginia voters whose registrations were purged as part of a state program initiated by Gov. Glenn Youngkin's Executive Order 35.

The removals, revealed as part of a federal lawsuit, are being challenged by the Justice Department and advocacy groups. They claim the purge violates federal law by disenfranchising eligible voters during the 90-day "quiet period" before the November election.

Joan Porte, president of the League of Women Voters of Virginia, expressed concerns about excluding certain groups, especially immigrants and people of color.

"Relying on outdated and flawed data to remove thousands of people from the rolls is reckless," Porte asserted. "Even further, removing people from the polls during the 90 days before a federal election is illegal and prohibited by the National Voting Rights Act."

Gov. Youngkin defended the process, claiming it removes groups, including noncitizens, who have -- either accidentally or intentionally -- attempted to register to vote.

Monica Sarmiento, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights, is among those demanding the restoration of all eligible voters, citing the risk of disenfranchisement from the governor's actions on Aug. 7.

"Which we believe has illegally disenfranchised naturalized voters in Virginia," Sarmiento contended. "Naturalized citizens are Americans and have every right to cast their vote."

The lawsuit asks the court to take four key actions: Declare the purge program violates the National Voter Registration Act, order the defendants to stop the program, direct them to reinstate anyone wrongly removed from the voter rolls unless it was confirmed they are not a citizen and require the defendants to notify affected voters they are still and can cast a regular ballot if eligible.


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Prominent Black church leaders and faith influencers from coast to coast are taking their message beyond the pulpit and going door to door to mobilize Black communities to vote.

Under the banner of The Black Church PAC, these leaders are focused on voter education and empowerment through an initiative called "100-K Strong: Knock for Change, Vote for Justice." The group also organizes voter-registration drives, advocates for policy reforms, and pushes for changes they feel reflect the core values of the Black faith community.

"We have secured key commitments from key clergy members and community members to engage with 100,000 residents - knocking on their doors, dropping literature," said Pastor Mike McBride, senior pastor of The Way Christian Center in Berkeley, California, and co-chair of the PAC.

McBride said the Black Church PAC is focusing its efforts in six battleground states: Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

He also warned that the rise of social media and the spread of misinformation are actively working to suppress voters. To help counteract this trend, he said the Black Church PAC has spoken to 300,000 voters over the course of 30 tour dates.

"What we want to ensure is that, particularly in swing states, that we can grow the kind of universe of voters who turn out on voting day," he said, "just by making sure they have the right information and the right reminder - and when needed, a ride to the polls."

He also acknowledged that voter intimidation at the polls is real. He said his organization has partnered with other clergy for poll-watching programs, to help protect voters as they wait in line to exercise their 15th Amendment right.


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The 2024 election is hitting its home stretch, and many Washingtonians have already received their ballots in the mail. Even with Election Day approaching, there's still time for people to do research and make informed decisions with their votes.

Cynthia Stewart, first vice president of the League of Women Voters of Washington, said people can start with voter pamphlets and candidates' websites. Her organization also has a voter guide at vote411.org. She said people should make plans for how they'll return their ballots before the 8 p.m. deadline on Nov. 5.

"We encourage people to mail their ballots in very early just to make sure they get there in time," she said, "but if somebody is voting at the last minute, there are drop boxes all over the state where people can take their ballots, and those are picked up at 8 o'clock and then they are counted."

Ballots returned in the mail and postmarked by Election Day at the latest will be counted. People can also still register to vote online until next Monday, Oct. 28. After that, they'll need to register in person at their local elections office, up until 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.

Cathy MacCaul, advocacy director for AARP Washington, said candidates and campaigns should focus on the issues that older Americans care about because they vote in the largest numbers every election.

"Housing, health care and financial security seem to be top of mind for older adults," she said, "and that's why our individuals who are running for office this election cycle - we want to know what steps will they be taking to support older adults as they age?"

MacCaul said policies that support Washington state's 820,000 unpaid family caregivers are also important this election.

"So that if they need to have respite care or have somebody come into their home to help care for the individual that they're trying to care for," she said, "so that they can have a break, or that they can go to work or that they can also interact with fun activities as well."

MacCaul said AARP Washington doesn't endorse candidates, but it is opposing Initiative 2124, as is the League of Women Voters of Washington. The measure would make the long-term care benefits program WA Cares optional for workers, which both organizations say would effectively end it because it would become financially unsustainable. Supporters say workers should be allowed to choose if they want to pay into WA Cares.