Wisconsin Democratic Governor Tony Evers signed into law new legislative district maps on Monday, a move that has sparked both praise and criticism. The Republican-controlled Legislature approved these maps, marking a departure from their decade-long control over the redistricting process. The decision aims to avoid a legal battle and potential intervention by the liberal-controlled state Supreme Court.
Despite Republicans controlling the Legislature, Democrats consider the signing a significant political victory in the swing state. The move comes after years of Democratic efforts to overturn what were widely recognized as some of the most gerrymandered maps in the country, drawn by Republicans in 2011.
The shift in the political landscape occurred when liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz joined the state Supreme Court in August, providing Democrats with a winning formula. The court ruled in December that the existing maps were unconstitutional due to non-contiguous districts, giving the Legislature a deadline to pass new maps that Governor Evers would sign.
The Legislature passed Evers’ proposed maps, but not without controversy. Some Republicans expressed frustration, with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos conceding that under the new maps, “the Legislature will be up for grabs.” Others, like Republican state Sen. Van Wanggaard, described the situation as choosing between undesirable options.
Democrats, while acknowledging Governor Evers’ win, raised concerns about the delayed implementation of the new maps. Questions arise about potential legal issues in special or recall elections before November, given the court’s previous ruling on the unconstitutionality of the old maps.
The new maps could lead to 15 incumbents in the Assembly and six in the Senate running against each other, raising potential challenges and uncertainties in the upcoming election cycle. Litigation over redistricting issues continues in numerous states across the country.
Wisconsin Democrats have also petitioned the state Supreme Court to review challenges to congressional district lines, arguing that the court’s decision on legislative maps opens the door to challenging the congressional map, where Republicans currently hold six of the state’s eight seats.
This development underscores the complex interplay between political interests, legal considerations, and the ongoing national debate over redistricting practices.
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