Wisconsin’s Supreme Court has mandated the redrawing of Republican-submitted legislative maps. On Friday, Justice Jill J. Karofsky, writing for the majority, stated that the Republican maps violated the state constitution’s requirements for contiguity.
The court has ordered the Wisconsin Elections Commission to refrain from using the current maps in future elections, a move that could have significant implications for the state’s political landscape.
The court’s decision comes at a time when Wisconsin is emerging as a critical state in national politics. The state has a split congressional delegation, with seven Republicans and three Democrats. Wisconsinites also elected a Democratic governor, Tony Evers, in 2018. However, Republicans currently control both chambers of the state legislature, leading to charges of gerrymandering.
The petition to redraw Wisconsin’s legislative maps was brought on behalf of 19 voters and called for new maps to be drawn, including those for Assembly and Senate seats. The petition also demanded state legislature elections for all seats in 2024. The court’s decision was hailed by Evers, who stated that Wisconsin is a purple state and that maps should reflect the state’s diverse population.
The court’s decision may have broader implications for national politics, as Wisconsin is expected to play a pivotal role in the 2024 presidential election. The state has served as a swing state in recent years, with both Republicans and Democrats winning elections in the state. The court’s ruling could level the playing field, and either party could gain an advantage in future elections.
The court’s decision is also notable because it was handed down by a newly installed liberal majority. In April, Justice Janet Protasiewicz defeated conservative former state Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly, securing a liberal majority for the first time in 15 years. Democrats in the state celebrated the victory as a sign of changing times. The ruling has raised the hopes of progressive activists who see it as an opportunity to rebalance political power in the state.
