The Republican-controlled State Legislature gaveled in for a second day of special session Thursday on Gov. Evers’ call for an anti-gerrymandering constitutional amendment and again kept it open.
Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled Legislature kept a special session on partisan gerrymandering technically alive Thursday but took no action on Democrat Gov. Tony Evers’ push for a constitutional amendment to ban it.
Both the state Senate and Assembly gaveled in briefly as scheduled around 10 a.m., then recessed without debate or a vote on the governor’s proposal. The session, called by Evers to consider language barring districts from giving a “disproportionate advantage or disadvantage to any political party,” remains open with no new meeting date set.
Republicans, who control both chambers, said they want more time for public input and continued talks before moving forward on any constitutional change. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu and Assembly leaders have described the delay as an opportunity for meaningful dialogue rather than a quick rejection.
Evers criticized the move, saying there is “nothing to negotiate.” He called the special session last month to lock in what he calls “fair maps” for future redistricting cycles.
The brief Thursday session followed a similar pattern Tuesday, when lawmakers convened and immediately postponed further action until Thursday. Democrats accused Republicans of stalling, while GOP leaders argued the vague wording in Evers’ proposal could invite lawsuits and tie the hands of future legislatures, especially with a liberal majority firmly entrenched on the state Supreme Court.
No other business could be conducted because special sessions are limited to the topics in the governor’s call. As of Thursday afternoon, legislative leaders had not indicated when (or if) they would reconvene to address the issue.
