Milwaukee County Supervisor Steve F. Taylor is taking proactive steps to improve the region's approach to redistricting. In a unanimous decision by the Committee on Finance, an amendment was passed, which Taylor authored, seeking a review of the county’s redistricting process. This amendment, part of the 2026 budget, directs the County Clerk and Corporation Counsel to meticulously evaluate the independent redistricting protocol that was implemented for the 2022 supervisory district plan.
Highlighting the importance of this initiative, Supervisor Taylor said, "I believe voters should choose who represents them—not politicians choosing who they want to represent. That’s why I authored an amendment to the 2026 recommended budget to review the independent redistricting process used for the 2022 supervisory plan." According to the official statement, the review will not entail the creation of new maps but will focus on the currently used process and its governing ordinance language.
The structure of the review will include feedback from numerous stakeholders, like members of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), retired judges who were part of the Independent Redistricting Committee, and other individuals who participated in the 2022 process. In a nod to accountability, Supervisor Taylor noted, "This review is about good government and protecting taxpayers. By identifying what worked well and what didn’t, we can strengthen our redistricting process and avoid the kind of last-minute fixes that invite confusion or legal challenges. This is how we ensure fairness and transparency in the way Milwaukee County draws its district boundaries."
This thorough evaluation by the County Clerk and Corporation Counsel will scrutinize Milwaukee County General Ordinance § 3.01 — Apportionment of County Board and propose any revisions necessary to bolster efficiency and accountability. They are expected to present a comprehensive report outlining findings, lessons learned, and recommendations for changes to the County Board by September 2026. Taylor emphasized the importance of preparation: "This is about planning ahead. We owe it to our residents to get the process right well before the next redistricting cycle." Notably, the amendment does not carry an impact to the tax levy, indicating a cost-effective approach to government reform.
