Governor Evers calls Special Session to ban gerrymandering

MADISON, WI—(CIVIC MEDIA)—Governor Tony Evers held a press conference Tuesday morning to call lawmakers into a special session to protect fair maps. The governor wants the legislature to pass a constitutional amendment banning partisan gerrymandering in future redistricting efforts. The Special Session will start at Noon on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

In his State of the State address, Evers said it’s about fair elections and maps that reflect the voters, not politics. 

“I know people here disagree sometimes. Sometimes a lot. Politics could get in the way of creating a non-partisan redistricting commission that everyone can support,” Evers said. “But there’s one thing that we should all be able to agree on, which is that politics should stay out of the redistricting from start to finish.” 

When Evers has called special sessions in the past, the Republican lawmakers in charge often gaveled the session out almost immediately. In the State of the State, Evers indicated he would continue to call sessions until the work is finished.

In Wisconsin, constitutional amendments must be considered in two consecutive legislative sessions before being placed on the ballot for voter approval. 

Immediately following the press conference, Evers began a statewide tour to promote the plan to ban gerrymandering.