MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers delivered the Democratic Radio Address on Thursday on how he kept his promise to deliver fair maps for Wisconsin by signing Senate Bill 488, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 94, undoing a decade of Wisconsinites living under some of the most gerrymandered maps in the United States. Gov. Evers’ effort to secure fair legislative maps marks the first time in over fifty years that Wisconsin will have fair legislative maps enacted through the legislative process rather than through the courts.

Audio File of Radio Address.

Hey there, folks! Governor Tony Evers here!

Earlier this week, I enacted fair legislative maps for the state of Wisconsin.

This is an historic moment for our state and for everybody who calls Wisconsin home. Because for more than a decade now, Wisconsinites have lived under some of the most undemocratic, gerrymandered legislative maps in America.

When I ran for this office in 2018, I promised I’d never stop working to right that wrong, to fight for an independent, nonpartisan redistricting process, to secure fair maps for Wisconsin, and to have the courage to do what is right.

To me, the decision to enact these maps boiled down to this: I made a promise to the people of Wisconsin that I would always try to do the right thing.

My maps that I signed are fair, responsive, and reflect the will of the people. And this is so important, Wisconsin, so I want to explain what that means.

First, these maps are fair. We’re aiming to make sure each party has a fair shake at winning the Legislature. Under these maps, it’s more likely that each party will win a majority of the legislative seats when they earn a majority of your votes. That’s common sense.

Second, these maps are responsive. Under these maps, we’ll see more competitive, contested races by making it more likely that legislative districts will flip from one party’s control to another when the voters’ preferences change. Every vote matters, and that’s a good thing for democracy.

Finally, these maps reflect the will of the people. Under these maps, the people will be able to elect Republican majorities, Democratic majorities, or even a split Legislature if they want, but the most important part is Wisconsinites decide. That’s how elections should work.

Folks, Wisconsin is not a red state or a blue state—we’re a purple state, and I believe our maps should reflect that basic fact, and now, they do.

This is a victory, not for me or any political party, but for our state and for the people of Wisconsin. Thank you.