MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Governor Tony Evers announced Tuesday he is calling lawmakers back to the Capitol next month for a special session aimed at ending the practice of drawing district lines in a way that benefits the party in power.

Evers seeks to ensure a nonpartisan redistricting process by changing the state constitution. In order for that to happen in Wisconsin, the Legislature must approve an amendment in two consecutive legislative sessions, then the question would go before voters in a statewide referendum.

The special session is set for April 14, although Republicans in control of the Legislature have gaveled out of Evers' past special sessions without debating or voting on the governor's proposals, which have previously covered subjects ranging from abortion and gun rights to aid for farmers.

The amendment Evers wants to put before lawmakers would ban partisan gerrymandering by ensuring the redistricting process "prohibits districts from providing a disproportionate advantage or disadvantage to any political party." 

"Wisconsin is as purple as ever," Evers said at a ceremony Tuesday at the Capitol. "But we've shown time and time again that fair maps help force lawmakers to put politics aside, work together and find common ground to get good things done for our state."

However, Evers' proposed amendment did not receive a warm reception from legislative leaders in either party. 

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said he was willing to "negotiate" but added the proposed amendment was too vague as currently drafted.

“This one-sentence constitutional amendment provides no details as to how this would actually work," Vos said in a statement. "But we’re supportive of the governor’s concept and we would be more than happy to negotiate with him."

Democratic legislative leaders issued statements Tuesday that did not specify whether they supported Evers' proposed amendment.

"Many of us as Legislative Democrats served under Republicans’ gerrymandered maps for years," Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) said. "We deeply understand the importance of competitive maps and remain committed to supporting a redistricting process where the voters’ voices are heard."

Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein also voiced support for a nonpartisan redistricting process, but her statement did not mention Evers' special session.

"I am a fighter and my commitment is to make sure the people of Wisconsin have a strong voice in their democracy," Hesselbein said. "And that Democrats have the resources and tools to fully participate in whatever redistricting processes may occur in the future."

Neither Neubauer nor Hesselbein responded to follow-up questions from CBS 58 asking whether they specifically supported Evers' proposed amendment.

Lawmakers redraw the state's voting maps at the start of every decade using new U.S. Census data. In 2024, Evers signed new legislative maps into law after the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down maps the GOP-controlled Legislature drew in 2020.

Nonpartisan experts found those maps, based on 2010 Republican-authored maps, gave the GOP a disproportionate advantage. Republicans were just shy of a legislative supermajority with two-thirds of the Legislature's seats, even though most statewide elections in Wisconsin end up being decided by a percentage point or two.