One glance at the Republicans’ geography-defying district map discloses all. In Wisconsin, instead of the people choosing representatives, we have representatives choosing which people get to vote for them.

Aggressive gerrymandering works, and in Wisconsin it works to perfection. Last November, Republican Assembly candidates took a collective drubbing, 53% to 45%. Because of the crazy-quilt map they had imposed on us in 2011, 63 Republicans “won,” and get to represent 64% of Wisconsin’s “districts.”

We can guess how many cigar wrappers were cracked open on election night 2018 by Republican legislators, celebrating their outstanding success at overriding the will of the people. (Hint: The GOP Assembly bloc is 91% male).

The basic principle of democracy — one person, one vote — has been subverted. Instead, we have “cracking and packing,” the main techniques for insulating public officeholders from the will of the voters.

Wisconsinites overwhelmingly oppose being cracked and packed. A January Marquette University poll found 72% endorsement for the formation of districts on a nonpartisan basis. Clear majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents are all in favor. Fair maps referenda have passed in multiple counties, most recently on April 2 in La Crosse and Vernon counties.