THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION.

>> THE WORK AHEAD FOR CLERKS, AFTER THE FINAL RULING ON REDISTRICTING.

UKRAINIAN FAMILIES SEPARATED STAY CONNECTED.

AND A PANDEMIC RULE RESTRICTING IMMIGRATION SOON TO BE LIFTED.

I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG, TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW," CONGRESSMAN TOM I HAVE ITNY AND MARK POCAN OFFER OPPOSING VIEWS ON RESCINDING A TRUMP ERA IMMIGRATION POLICY.

DISPLACED UKRAINIANS MAKE THE BEST OF BEING IN WISCONSIN.

AND A COUNTY CLERK EXPLAINS PREPARATION FOR WISCONSIN'S NEXT ELECTIONS.

IT'S HERE AND NOW FOR APRIL 22.

FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN.

>> NEW COVID-19 CASES ARE STEADILY RISING AGAIN IN WISCONSIN, AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE NEW CLIMB HAS PROMPTED THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO REINSTATE ITS MASK REQUIREMENT.

THIS AS A FEDERAL JUDGE THIS WEEK REMOVED THE NATIONWIDE MASK MANDATE FOR ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

NOW IT IS UP TO INDIVIDUAL CITIES, COUNTIES, AND AIRLINES TO DECIDE IF PASSENGERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MASK UP TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 AND ANOTHER PANDEMIC DISTRICTING FEDERAL POLICY IS SET TO END: IMMIGRATION RESTRICTIONS THAT EFFECTIVELY CLOSE THE U.S. BORDER WITH MEXICO TO INCOMING MIGRANTS.

THE POLICY, KNOWN AS TITLE 42 ALLOWS THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL TO SEVERELY LIMIT IMMIGRATION, EVEN FOR THOSE SEEKING ASYLUM TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF DISEASE.

PUT IN PLACE BY FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, IT IS NOW SET TO END UNDER JOE BIDEN.

OUR FIRST GUEST TONIGHT RECENTLY VISITED THE SOUTHERN BORDER AND WANTS THE RESTRICTION TO REMAIN IN PLACE.

REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN TOM TIFFANY FROM WISCONSIN'S 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT JOINS US FROM WAUSAU.

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> IT'S GOOD TO JOIN YOU, FREDERICA.

>> SO YOU TRAVELED TO THE SOUTHERN U.S. BORDER WITH MEXICO THIS MONTH.

ANDER YOU WANTED TO TALK TO IT ABOUT US, WHY?

>> I WENT FOR THE YUMA SECTOR, THE THING THAT WAS STRIKING, I WAS THERE ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO UNDER THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

WE SAW WITH LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS THEY WERE WORKING TOGETHER QUITE WELL AND REALLY HAD MADE PROGRESS IN CONTROLLING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING INTO THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY.

NOW, AS YOU GO TO PLACES LIKE YUMA, YOU SEE IT'S REALLY VERY MUCH OUT OF CONTROL AT THIS POINT.

AND PEOPLE COMING INTO THE COUNTRY THAT JUST REALLY ALMOST WILLY-NILLY WE SEE -- THAT EXCEED IN THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, AND IF TITLE 42 GOES AWAY, IT'LL BE A TIDAL WAVE BECAUSE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS JUST WAITING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER, AND THE CARTELS IN MEXICO ARE READY TO DELIVER THEM TO THE UNITED STATES.

>> WHY SHOULD THE COVID PUBLIC HEALTH POLICE THAT CLOSED THE BORDER TO ASYLUM SEEKERS THOUGH, BE MAINTAINED WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE HAS OPENED UP?

>> YOU KNOW YOU LOOK AT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO CONTEST THE MASK MANDATE BEING STRUCK DOWN IN COURTS.

THEY'RE GOING TO CONTEST IT.

YET, SO THEY WANT THE MASK MANDATES ON AIRPLANES, WHY WOULD THEY NOT WANT TO KEEP COVID RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE FOR THOSE THAT ARE TRYING TO ENTER THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY.

I THINK IT'S INCONSISTENT ON THE MARKET OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> IT'S A KEY FOCUS OF REPUBLICANS BUT IS THE PARTY TRADING ON FEAR AND DISLIKE OF PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY CENTRAL AMERICA OR MEXICO?

>> NO.

I WOULD URGE PEOPLE TO GO DOWN TO THE SOUTHERN BORDER AND SEE REALLY WHAT'S HAPPENING AND TALK TO THE BORDER PATROL, WHAT'S GOING ON.

JUST THIS MORNING, A BORDER PATROL AGENT DROWN IN THE RIO GRANDE TRYING TO SAVE SOMEONE COMING ACROSS THE BORDER ILLEGAL.

WE SEE THIS REGULARLY.

THIS HAS HUGE NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS, BESIDES THE MANY MILLIONS THAT CAME IN ILLEGALLY, AND DO THEY HAVE TERROR BACKGROUNDS, AND THAT'S A CONCERN.

AND THE AMOUNT OF DRUGS, THE AMOUNT OF METHAMPHETAMINE, AND FENTANYL THAT INCREASED SINCE 2021 WHEN PRESIDENT O PRESIDENTK OFF THE RESTRICTIONS.

IT'S KILLING PEOPLE A I CROSS AMERICA.

AND YOU CAN TALK TO THE LOCAL SHERIFFS IN WISCONSIN AND THEY'LL TELL YOU ABOUT AT FENTANYL, AND METHAMPHETAMINE TOGETHERS.

>> IT'S NOT ALL MEMBERS OF TRAFFICKERS AND CARTELS.

MANY SEEKING ASYLUM ARE COMING FROM VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES IN CENTRAL AMERICA.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE TRYING TO PROTECT YOURSELF OR OUR FAMILY FROM POVERTY OR CRIME IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY?

>> WELL, WHEN I WAS IN YUMA THIS WEEK, I HAPPENED TO SEE SOME PEOPLE JUST COMING ACROSS THE COLORADO RIVER AND GIVING THEMSELVES UP TO THE BORDER PATROL TO BE PROCESSED.

TO BE SENT INTO AMERICA, VIA A BUS AND THEN AIRPLANE TO VARIOUS STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

AND I SAW A MAN FROM INDIA.

A MAN FROM COLUMBIA, AMONGST OTHER AND THEY WERE DRESSED JUST LIKE AMERICANS.

ERNOT -- AND YOU COULD TELL IT WAS NOT LEGITIMATE ASYLUM SEEKERS.

YOU JUST GO BACK TO REMAIN IN MEXICO, WHICH WAS IN PLACE BEFORE JANUARY 20, OF 2021.

I BELIEVE IT WAS ABOUT 95% OF THE ASYLUM SEEKERS WHO HAD TO REMAIN IN MEXICO TO HAVE THEIR HEARING HELD WERE DECLINED BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT LEGITIMATE.

WHEN I WAS DOWN IN PANAMA A YEARS AGO, WE HEARD FROM HAITIANS AND CUBANS THAT THEY WERE LIVING IN COUNTRIES LIKE ACADEMY LAY, AND BRAZIL FOR YEARS -- AND CHILE.

BECAUSE THE BORDERS ARE OPEN.

THE LIVESES WERE OKAY AT THAT POINT, AND THEY ARE NOT LEGITIMATE ASYLUM SEEKERS.

WE SHOULD ONLY ALLOW THOSE IN WITH LEGITIMATE CLAIM.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE UKRAINIANS FLEEING THE WAR?

DO YOU WELCOME THEM?

>> IF YOU GO BACK TO ASKS, I WAS CRITICAL OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

IN AFGHAN STAN.

I WOULD SAY THE SAME IN REGARDS TO THE UKRAINIANS.

WE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWING PEOPLE TO COME IN ON PATROL.

THAT'S WHAT THE SECRETARY IS DOING, USING AUTHORITY CALLED PAROLE.

IT'S MEANT TO BE USED ON INDIVIDUAL BASIS.

HE IS TAKING MASSES OF PEOPLE, LIKE FROM AFGHANISTAN AND UKRAINE AND SAYING WE'RE GOING TO PASS YOU INTO AMERICA VIA PAROLE.

IT'S NOT MEANT TO BE USED THAT WAY.

FURTHERMORE, IF YOU TAKE THE PEOPLE AWAY FROM EUROPE, LIKE WE TOOK THE PEOPLE OUT OF AFGHANISTAN, MANY WOULD RESETTLE BACK INTO THE HOME COUNTRIES ONCE THINGS SETTLED DOWN.

THIS MAY BE THE BEST THING THAT VLADIMIR PUTIN WANTS, IS FOR THE UKRAINIANS TO ABANDON THEIR HOME LAND AND GO TO ANOTHER COUNTRY HALFWAY ACROSS THE WORLD, AND VERY LOW PROSPECT OF THEM COMING BACK TO THE UKRAINE.

>> SO IS YOUR ANSWER TO THAT NO?

IS THAT YOU ARE NOT WELCOMING UKRAINIANS?

>> IF THEY HAVE A LEGITIMATE CLAIM, BUT THEY NEED TO BE DONE ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.

NO DIFFERENT THAN THE AFGHANS AND OTHERS THAT REQUEST THIS.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE PAROLE, IT'S IN THE LAW THAT IT'S DONE ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, NOT A MASS SETTLEMENTS LIKE THE ADMINISTRATION IS USING.

THEY'RE DISTORTING THE LAW AT THIS POINT.

>> WE NEED TO LEAVE IT THERE.

OUR TIME IS UP.

CONGRESSMAN TIFFANY, THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON TONIGHT.

>> ON THE OTHER SIDE, DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN MARK POCAN FROM WISCONSIN'S 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT JOINS US FROM MADISON.

>> THANK YOU HAPPY TO BE HERE.

IN A LETTER TO THE CDC YOU SIGNED WITH OTHER HOUSE DEMOCRATS, YOU CALLED TITLE 42.

WHICH HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR TWO YEARS AND CLOSED THE BORDERS DUE TO COVID 19.

ILLEGAL.

WHY >> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, MOST OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS AREA, UNDER DONALD TRUMP WASN'T DONE FOR HEALTH CONCERNS, WE KNOW THAT.

HE MISHANDLED COVID IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY.

THIS WAS DONE IN A WAY TO STOP PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE LEGITIMATELY COMING TO THE COUNTRY TO SEEK ASYLUM.

THERE WAS A PROCESS TO FOLLOW, AND THIS ALLOWED YOU NOT TO HAVE THE PROCESS.

THAT'S THE REAL PROBLEM WITH IT.

I KNOW THE REPUBLICANS POLITICALLY LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THIS AS ONE OF THEIR TOP THREE HITS THAT THEY'RE PUTTING OUT FOR THE CAMPAIGN.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT DON'T REACH OUT TO US ABOUT THE SOUTHERN BORDER AS MUST HAVE MUCH AS THEY DO -- AS MUCH AS THEY DO GETTING MAIL DELIVERED, FOR EXAMPLE.

ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, BECAUSE IT WAS A FAKE ISSUE ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, ABOUT COVID, THEN WE SHOULD BE SMARTER AND BE BACK TO THE POSITION THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH THE ISSUES AS ASYLUM CASES.

AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANT AT SOME POINT, FREDERICA, WE NEED TO BE DOING RESOURCES AND HELP IN THE COUNTRIES THAT PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM.

IF WE GIVE PEOPLE A REASON NOT TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY THEY'RE IN, THEN THIS POLITICAL ARGUMENT THAT SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO HAVE WILL BECOME EVEN LESS RELEVANT THAN IT EVEN IS TO PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT.

>> INTERESTINGLY, THOUGH, SOME DEMOCRATS ARE EVEN HEDGING ON RESCINDING TITLE 42, WHAT IS YOUR COMMENT ON THAT?

>> YEAH, AGAIN, I CAN'T SPEAK FOR OTHER FOLKS.

I CAN JUST TELL YOU THAT I WAS IN CONGRESS DURING THIS PERIOD.

WE SAW HOW IT WAS MISUSED.

AND IT'S TIME THAT PEOPLE WITH LEGITIMATE ASYLUM REQUESTS WE GO BACK TO THE COUNTRY THAT THAT LEGITIMATELY LOOKS AT THOSE.

>> DO YOU THINK THOSE UKRAINIANS FLEEING WAR, SHOULD BE GIVEN PRECEDENT THAN THOSE LEAVING FOR OTHER REASONS.

>> IN SOUTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN, UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, I THINK EVERY SINGLE AGENCY CLOSED DOWN ACCEPT FOR JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICES AND THEY STAYED OPEN AT A LOSS TO THEIR OPERATION DUE TO HOW WE CHANGED POLICIES DURING THE ADMINISTRATION.

WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD OUR ARMS OPEN FOR REFUGEES.

I DON'T THINK THAT PEOPLE THINK THAT ANYONE COMING FROM UKRAINE AS A RE REFUGEE IS NOT LEGITIMA.

WE NEED THE SUPPORT OF AGENCIES THAT WE HAVE IN SOUTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN TO HELP THE FAMILIES HAVE PLACES.

>> SPEAKING OF UKRAINE, WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE IN REACTION TO WHAT IS GOING ON THERE RIGHT NOW?

>> IT'S HORRIFIC EVERY DAY TO WATCH WHAT HE IS HAPPENING, RIGHT.

VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS PROVEN A COUPLE OF THING.

RUSSIA IS NOT THE SUPER POWER THEY BELIEVE TO BE, AND PUTIN IS AN AUTO KRAUT, AND THEY'RE LOSING THEIR GRIP AND WHERE THEY ARE.

AND THEY ARE OUT MUSCLING ON THE GROUND, IN UKRAINE, AND THAT TELLS YOU A LOT.

WE NEED TO GET RESOLUTION TO STOP THE BOMBING.

AND GO AFTER VLADIMIR PUTIN FOR THE CRIMES THAT HE HAS COMMITTED GOING INTO THE SOVEREIGN NATION.

WE PROVIDED EVERYTHING WE CAN, AND I THINK THE PRESIDENT -- WILL ASK MORE WHEN HE IS BACK NEXT WEEK, AND WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE.

>> ON THE COVID FRONT, PEOPLE NO LONGER NEED TO WEAR MASKS ON AIRPLANES AND ALL OF THE MEASURES ARE BEING LOOSENED OR ELIMINATED.

AND YET THE NUMBERS ARE TICKING UP IN WISCONSIN ALSO.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY TO A CONSISTENT WHO MIGHT BE A LITTLE CONFUSED ON WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS?

>> I DON'T BLAME THEM.

I AM A LITTLE CONFUSED AT TIMES WHERE WE ARE WITH COVID.

THE PROBLEM IS A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE DECIDED THAT COVID IS OVER.

I THINK COVID WILL TELL US WHEN IT'S OVER.

THE GOOD NEWS FROM PEOPLE I RESPECT WHO ARE THE SCIENTISTS AND THE DOCTORS IN THE AREA, IT DOES LOOK LIKE OMICRON AND THE NEW VARIANT OF OMICRON ARE PUSHING OUT COMPLETELY THE WORST PARTS OF COVID.

AND THIS MAY BE THE STAGE WHERE THIS BECOMES A MORE MILD DISEASE AND WE CAN MOVE ON AND WE WON'T HAVE THE DEATHS AND THE MONTHS FILLING LIKE LIKE THEY DID FOR THE FIRST SEVERAL YEARS IN COVID.

WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE A LITTLE BIT.

WHEN I FLY TO WASHINGTON, D.C., I KNOW I HE AM GOING TO WEAR A MASK.

I DON'T WANT TO GET SOMEONE SICK.

I HAVE A LOT OF ACCESS TO PEOPLE, AND I THINK IT'S A COMMON COURTESY.

PEOPLE NEED TO DO WHAT THEY ARE MOST COMFORTABLE WITH.

I STILL LOOK TO THE EXPERTS ON THIS.

AND I HOPE WE REALLY ARE IN THE FINAL STAGE WHERE IT TURNS OUT TO BE MUCH LESS SEVERE.

MORE CONTAGIOUS.

BUT LESS SEVERE.

AND PROBABLY MORE LIKE THE FLU.

BUT I AM NOT 100% SURE THAT'S WHERE WE ARE AT.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THAT IS WHERE WE'RE GOING.

>> LESS THAN A MINUTE LEFT, I WANT TO GET YOUR TAKE ON LAST WEEK'S WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT RULING ON THE LEGISLATIVE MAPS AND HOW THEY RULED ON THAT.

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW I WILL TELL YOU, IF THERE ARE TWO THINGS I COULD CHANGE THAT WOULD FIX JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER ISSUE, ONE IS YOU STOP GERRYMANDERING, WHETHER BY DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS AND HAVING POLITICIANS PICK THEIR VOTERS RATHER THAN THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

WE THAT PROBLEM IN WISCONSIN.

AND CHANGE HOW YOU FINANCE CAMPAIGNS.

YOU ALLOW BILLIONAIRES AND LARGE DONORS TO HAVE MORE OF A VOICE IN THE CAMPAIGN PROCESS THAN PEOPLE WHO ARE YOU CONSTITUENTS, WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT ULTIMATELY WILL HIT A WALL ON DEMOCRACY AND CAUSE REAL PROBLEMS.

I AM VERY CONCERNED.

THIS IS ALWAYS AROUND AS AN ISSUE BUT WE FIND NEW WAYS THAT BILLIONAIRES FOUND WAYS TO PUT MILLIONS INTO A PRIMARIES IN VARIOUS RACES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

AND THAT HE MORE THAN MOST CANDIDATES RAISE FOR THEIR PRIMARY.

WE NEED TO TURN THINGS AROUND.

IN WISCONSIN, THAT'S A GREAT CASE OF THE JE TH THE GERRYMANDG PROBLEM.

>> THANKS VERY MUCH, MARK POCAN.

>> SURE.

THANK YOU.

>> AND UKRAINIANS WHO ARRIVE BY APRIL 11, FLEEING THE WAR AND RUSSIAN VIOLENCE OF ELIGIBLE FOR TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS.

SHIELDING THEM, AND GRANTING THEM PERMISSION TO WORK AND ACCESS SERVICES.

GOOD NEWS FOR A UKRAINIAN MOTHER NOW IN WISCONSIN WITH HER DAUGHTER, FINDING REFUGE, IF NOT RELIEF.

>> VARVARA IS LIKE ANY OTHER 6-YEAR-OLD GIRL.

EVERY MORNING SHE GETS READY FOR SCHOOL WITH THE HELP OF HER PARENTS.

SHE HAS ONLY HAD THIS PARTICULAR ROUTINE FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS.

EVER SINCE SHE AND HER MOTHER ESCAPED UKRAINE.

THEY CAME TO MADISON TO STAY WITH FRIENDS.

>> WE WERE ALL IN CONTROL.

IN CHARGE.

>> THE MOTHER, ANNA, VIDEO CALLS HER HUSBAND, SASHA, VARVARA'S FATHER, BACK IN UKRAINE EVERY MORNING.

AND SAME AS IF HE WERE HERE WITH THEM, HE ACCOMPANIES THE TWO ON THE HALF MILE WALK TO SCHOOL.

>> I HIT EVERY ONE.

I HAVE FAMILY.

I HAVE HUSBAND.

I HAVE PERFECT, BEST DAUGHTER.

>> HAVE A GOOD DAY, KIDDO.

>> I COULDN'T ACCEPT THIS NEW REALITY.

IT'S LIKE MAYBE A DREAM.

>> OR NIGHTMARE.

>> NIGHTMARE.

>> THE RUSSIAN ARMY CAME.

IT WAS FORCED DECISION.

AND TO -- WE CAN'T DECIDE BY OURSELVES WHAT WE WOULD DO, WHERE WE WILL LIVE, HOW WE WILL LIVE.

THEY DECIDED FOR US.

>> WHAT WAS IT LIKE MAKING THAT DECISION?

OKAY, WE NEED TO LEAVE, AND FIGURING OUT HOW WE WERE GOING TO LEAVE?

>> MY HUSBAND HE ASKED EVERY DAY.

YOU SHOULD LEAVE.

YOU SHOULD LEAVE, PLEASE.

YOU SHOULD LEAVE.

I SAW PICTURE OF A DEAD GIRL ON INTERNET.

AND SHE WAS THE SAME AGE LIKE MY VARVARA.

AND I THOUGHT IT COULD BE MY KID TOO.

>> THEY MADE IT TO THE U.S. ON MARCH 3RD.

>> WHAT DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU CAME TO THE UNITED STATES?

>> GUILTY.

>> WHY?

>> BECAUSE I AM SAFE.

BUT ALL MY FAMILY, NOT.

THEY HAVE STAYED IN UKRAINE.

>> MORE THAN ANYTHING, ANNA WANTS TO GO HOME.

>> AND I AM HERE ONLY BECAUSE OF VARVARA.

I THINK IF I DIDN'T HAVE VARVARA, I WOULD BE IN UKRAINE WITH MY HUSBAND, AND WITH ALL OF MY FAMILY.

>> BUT SHE'S ALSO SEEING THINGS THROUGH HER YOUNG DAUGHTER'S EYES.

>> OUR POLISH FRIENDS, THEY ASK TO SHARE THIS HOME.

AND SHE SAID, YES.

I MISS HOME.

BUT I WANT TO LIVE TOO.

>> HER RELATIVES REFUSED TO BELIEVE THE REALITY.

>> I HAVE RELATIVES IN RUSSIA.

AND THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE.

THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE ME.

I SENT PICTURES FROM MY APARTMENT.

AND IT'LL TOUCH THEM PERSONALLY.

I THINK THEY WILL WAKE UP.

>> WITHOUT KNOWING THE FUTURE, ANNA ENDURES.

WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?

>> GOOD NEWS FROM HOME.

ONLY GOOD NEWS.

>> HER HUSBAND COMFORTS HER FROM INSIDE THE WAR ZONE.

>> YEAH.

I'M OKAY.

I'M OKAY.

BUT I HEAR, SASHA, SASHA.

SOMEONE CLOSE THE DOOR.

I THINK HOPE -- UNITED BECAUSE OF UKRAINE.

>> SHE FEARS THE WORLD WILL SOON FORGET UKRAINE.

>> I AM AFRAID THAT IT'LL BE EVERYDAY NEWS.

I HAD LIFE, I HAD EVERYTHING, AND NOW WE HAVE NOTHING.

>> WHAT DOES VICTORY MEAN TO YOU?

>> WE WILL FREE AGAIN.

>> THE RULING A WEEK AGO FROM THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT TO SIDE WITH REPUBLICAN REDISTRICTING MAPS CAME DOWN AS THE HIGH COURT SIMPLY RAN OUT OF TIME.

NOW, THE STATE'S CLERKS HAVE TO PICK UP THE SLACK AND ADJUST FOR THINGS LIKE WARDS BEING SPLIT APART.

LA CROSSE COUNTY CLERK GINNY DANKMEYER JOINS US TO DESCRIBE MORE.

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

ER.

>> .

>> SO, WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR ELECTION CLERKS OF THE NEW MAPS THAT THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT ADOPTED A WEEK AGO >> WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AT THIS POINT IS GET THEM INTO THE WIS VOTE TO LET THE VOTERS KNOW WHAT DISTRICTS THEY ARE IN, AND THEY KNOW THE CONSTITUENTS, AND CIRCUMSTANCE LATE THE PAPERS.

WE HAVE TO PREPARE, WE HAVE ELECTIONS COMING UP IN THE FALL, AND BALLOTS TO PREPARE, AND AUGUST BALLOTS NEED TO BE OUT AT THE END OF THE JUNE, FIND OUT WHERE THE WARD LINES ARE.

AND MUNICIPALITIES HAVING TO CREATE NEW WARD LINES.

A LOT OF WORK ON OUR END TO GET THE BALLOTS FOR THE FALL ELECTIONS.

>> A LOT OF WORK.

HOW DIFFERENT ARE THE MAPS DRAWN BY GOV.

EVERS FROM THE MAPS DRAWN BY THE REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE >> I REALLY THINK THAT VARIES ON THE DISTRICTS IN THE AREAS THAT YOU LIVED IN.

FOR LA CROSSE COUNTY THEY DIDN'T VARY TOO MUCH.

I BELIEVE WITH THE GOM MAPS WE GAINED ONE DISTRICT, AND IF WE KEPT THE EVERS MAP WE WOULD HAVE THE SAME.

AND WE FOLLOWED WITH THE LINES.

AND IT CAME THROUGH PRETTY GOOD FOR US.

NO MATTER MAP YOU WENT WITH, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASY TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD AND PREPARE FOR THE FALL ELECTIONS.

>> SO IF THE LEGISLATURE'S MAPS WERE ADOPTED UNDER THE 'LEAST CHANGE' APPROACH TO THE OLD MAPS WHICH THEY WERE.

DOES THAT REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WORK?

COULD IT HAVE BEEN MORE DIFFERENT?

>> I DEFINITELY THINK THERE WERE PROBABLY SOME MAPS OUT THERE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A LOT MORE WORK.

IF YOU SPLIT THE MUNICIPALITIES DOWN THE MIDDLE, AND SPLITTING WARDS ALL OVER.

THAT'S A LOT MORE WORK ON OUR END, AND THE MUNICIPALITIES TO GET THE NEW WARDS LISTED ANDER A LOT MORE CONFUSION AT POLLING PLACE.

INSTEAD OF AN ENTIRE MUNICIPALITY IN ONE DISTRICT, PARTS WILL BE THIS ASSEMBLY DISTRICT AND PARTS HERE, AND MULTIPLE BALLOT STYLES AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE GIVEN CORRECT BALLOT STYLES.

AND IT'S CLEAN FATHER YOU FOLLOW THE WARD LINE, MUNICIPAL LINES, AND MAKE IT SIMPLER FOR THE VOTERS AND THE WORKERS.

>> SO HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE ROLLER COASTER OF REDISTRICTING DECISIONS FOR CLERKS >> IT'S BEEN A FUN RIDE.

TIGHTEN OUR SEAT BELTS AND GO FORWARD.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF SAY IN IT.

WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE DECISION, AND MOVE FORWARD AND GET DONE WHAT WE HAVE TO GET DONE.

NOTHING NEW FOR US.

A LOT OF TIMES NEW LAWS ARE ENACTED DAYS, WEEKS BEFORE ELECTIONS.

AND WE JUST GO WITH IT.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT.

IF YOU ARE A CLERK, WHETHER MUNICIPAL COUNTY CLERK, CHANGES ARE COMING AND WE'LL FIGURE OUT THE CHANGES AND MOVE FORWARD.

THAT'S ALL WE CAN REALLY DO ABOUT IT.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT VOTERS, BUT WHAT ABOUT FOR CANDIDATES NOW ABLE TO GATHER SIGNATURES TO RUN FOR OFFICE ARE CLERKS FIELDING QUESTIONS FROM THEM >> WE'RE FIELDING FROM ANY OFFICER OR CANDIDATE THAT WILL BE FILED IN OUR OFFICE.

A LOT OF THE ASSEMBLY, SENATE CONGRESSIONALS ARE FOLLOWING WITH FILING PAPERS WITH THE ELECTION COMMISSION.

THEY'LL GET QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS THROUGH THEM.

LUCKILY FOR US, THE CONSTITUTION OFFERS -- THE INTERCOUNTY, NOT A LOT OF LINES TO DEAL WITH.

THEY KNOW IT'S WITHIN THE COUNTY, AND THEY CAN CIRCULATE THE PAPERS.

IT WAS A BIG DECISION.

APRIL 15TH IS WHEN THEY COULD START CIRCULATING, AND YOU DELAYED THAT, THAT'S LESS TIME TO GET THE SIGNATURES NEEDED TO GET THE NAME ON THE BALLOT.

>> RIGHT AT THE LAST MINUTE.

SO HEADING INTO 2022 ELECTIONS, HAS THE ABUSE OF CLERKS RESULTING FROM THE TUMULT OF THE 2020 ELECTION STOPPED OR LESSENED >> I THINK IT'S LESSENED A LITTLE BIT.

THERE'S STILL GROUPS OUT THERE, STILL PEOPLE OUT THERE, THAT WANT TO KIND OF ATTACK WHAT WE'RE DOING, AND CHALLENGE THAT WE'RE NOT SECURE, WE'RE DOING THIS OR THAT.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS WORKS.

WE'RE DOING AS MUCH OUTREACH WE CAN TO THE PUBLIC ON THIS IS HOW SECURE ELECTIONSES ARE, THIS IS WHAT WE DO, AND HOPE PEOPLE CAN START TO UNDERSTAND IT.

WE'RE ALWAYS OPEN TO QUESTIONS AND I AM ALWAYS OPEN TO DO PRESENTATIONS TO HELP THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ELECTIONSES ARE SECURE, AND THE OUTMOST INTEGRITY, AND PEOPLE CAN TRUST WHEN THEY GO TO THE POLLS THAT THE BALLOT WILL BE COUNTED.

>> AND WHAT ABOUT CHANGES AROUND VOTING RULES ON SUCH THINGS AS BALLOT DROP BOXES AND OTHER PROCEDURES THAT HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF INVESTIGATIONS AND VITRIOL.

HOW ARE CLERKS KEEPING UP -- KEEPING UP WITH THOSE CHANGING RULES?

>> JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE.

FEBRUARY ELECTION YOU COULD USE DROP BOXES AND APRIL YOU COULDN'T.

WE WORK WITH THE CLERKS TO MAKE SURE YOU GET THE INFORMATION OUT.

WE DID MEDIA RELEASES TO ALL OF THE PUBLIC.

I DID AS MUCH INTERVIEWS AS WE COULD.

LET THE PAPERS KNOW, AND THE TV STATIONS, KNOW THAT THE DROP BOXES ARE NOT ALLOWED.

AND THE CLERKS PUT NOTES ON THE DROP BOXES.

AND THOSE ARE THE CHANGES WE WORK WITH AS THEY COME ALONG, AND DEAL WITH IT AND MOVE FORWARD AND TRY TO GET AS MUCH EDUCATION OUT TO THE VOTERS AS WE CAN SO THEY KNOW THE NEW LAWS.

>> THANK YOU HA VERY MUCH AND TK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, GINNY DANKMEYER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> FOR MORE, VISIT PBSWISCONSIN.ORG AND CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.

THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.

I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

FUNDING FOR HEAR "HERE AND NOW"S PROVIDED FOCUS ON JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN.