County attorneys urge earlier outreach, committee changes ahead of 2030 redistricting

Milwaukee County corporation counsel Scott Brown and County Clerk George Christiansen presented an informational report asking the county to begin preparing now for the 2030 redistricting cycle rather than waiting for census data.

Brown told the committee the office reviewed the 2021 process to find "lessons learned, efficiencies, and potentially ordinance updates" and said officials should reach municipal clerks earlier and give stakeholders input "before initial maps are drawn." Christiansen said the reviews central recommendation is to start the work now: "This report is an initial assessment with additional recommendations anticipated in December 2026 or at the 1st county board meeting of 2027." The report also recommends retaining Sewer Pack as the technical map-drawing firm and reconsidering the independent committees all-retired-judge composition to increase diversity of viewpoints.

Committee members asked about the possible effects of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on voting-rights analysis. Brown said the legal landscape has shifted: "The Voting Rights Act looks much different than it did in 2020 at this point," and his office will prepare guidance when census data is available. Supervisors emphasized transparency and early engagement to reduce last-minute map changes by board members and to avoid splitting communities unnecessarily.

The committee voted to receive the report and place it on file for the full board, with the motion passing by recorded tally (three ayes, zero noes on the committee roll). Additional outreach and a fuller set of recommendations are expected as staff and OCC refine proposals.