>> WISCONSIN ELECTORAL POLITICS ARE CHANGING COURSE BECAUSE AS
OF THIS WEEK, THERE ARE NEW VOTING DISTRICT MAPS.
SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER, ZAC SCHULTZ, EXPLAINS THE
IMPLICATIONS. >> WITH THE STROKE OF A PEN,
GOVERNOR TONY EVERS ENDED THE FUTURE OF A REPUBLICAN
SUPERMAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATURE AND GAVE DEMOCRATS A PATH BACK
TO THE MAJORITY. >> THIS WILL BECOME ACT 94.
[APPLAUSE] LIBERAL MAJORITY ON THE
WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT CHOOSING MAPS EVEN MORE FAVORABLE TO
DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE TOOK THE GOVERNOR AT
HIS WORD WHEN HE SAID HE WOULD SIGN HIS PROPOSED MAPS INTO LAW.
FEARING A TRICK AND A FEDERAL LAWSUIT, DEMOCRATS IN THE
ASSEMBLY AND SENATE LARGELY VOTED AGAINST THE MAPS AND SOME
ENCOURAGED THE GOVERNOR TO VETO HIS OWN MAPS AND WAIT FOR THE
SUPREME COURT. EVERS SAYS HE TALKED WITH THOSE
WITH CONCERNS BUT NEVER CONSIDERED A VETO.
>> LAST WEEK, REPUBLICANS PASSED THE MAPS I SUBMITTED TO THE
WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT AND THOSE ARE THE EXACT MAPS BEFORE
ME TODAY. THEY'RE MY MAPS, NOTHING MORE
AND NOTHING LESS. TO ME, THE DECISION TO ENACT
THESE MAPS BOILS DOWN TO THIS: I MADE A PROMISE TO THE PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN THAT I WOULD ALWAYS TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND
KEEPING THAT PROMISE TO ME MATTERS MOST EVEN IF MEMBERS OF
MY OWN PARTY DISAGREE WITH ME. >> Reporter: AFTER THE
SIGNING, DEMOCRATS CELEBRATED THE NEW MAPS BUT REPUBLICANS
PROMISED THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO WIN LEGISLATIVE MAJORITIES IN
THE FALL. >> UNDER THESE MAPS, WE'LL SEE
MORE COMPETITIVE CONTESTED RACES BY MAKING IT MORE LIKELY THE
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS WILL FIT FOR ONE PARTY'S CONTROL TO
ANOTHER WHEN VOTERS' PREFERENCES CHANGE.
EVERY VOTE MATTERS AND THAT'S ALSO GOOD FOR DEMOCRACY.
>> I WAS A HUNDRED PERCENT, IF NOT MORE, THAT THE GOVERNOR
SHOULD DO WHAT HE DID. I'M REALLY PROUD OF HIM.
>> TOLD HIM CULLEN IS A FORMER DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR AND
LONG AGO SERVED IN REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR TOMI THOMPSON'S
ADMINISTRATION. BIPARTISANSHIP WAS THE NORM AND
SAYS FAIR MAPS WILL HELP BRING THAT ERA BACK.
>> IT JUST DOES ONE SIMPLE THING: IT MEANS THE VOTES IN
NOVEMBER MATTER AGAIN. ALL THAT'S MATTERED FOR THE LAST
13 YEARS WAS THE PRIMARY VOTES AND HOW DO YOU AVOID A PRIMARY?
YOU STICK WITH YOUR BASE, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? YOU DON'T WORK TOGETHER.
IF YOU WORK TOGETHER, YOU GET CALLED A COMPROMISER OR A
MODERATE OR SOMETHING, YOU WILL GET A PRIMARY.
>> Reporter: MOST ANALYSIS OF THE NEW MAP SHOWS WHILEúDEMOCRAT
WINNING THE ASSEMBLY THIS FALL, IT WILL LIKELY TAKE FOUR YEARS
TO HAVE A SHOT AT THE STATE SENATE SIMPLY BECAUSE ONLY HALF
THE SEATS ARE UP EACH ELECTION. BUT EVERS SAYS A MORE BALANCED
LEGISLATURE COULD MEAN IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO FIND COMPROMISE
ON ISSUES LIKE EXPANDING MEDICAID.
LEAST ONE REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE THAT AGREES
WITH US ON THAT AND MAYBE WE CAN FIND A SOLUTION.
>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM >> Reporter: REPORTING FROM