Court Orders Wisconsin Republicans to Re-Draw Unconstitutional Legislative Maps

WISCONSIN -- After a court ruling found GOP-drawn legislative maps unconstitutional in Nov. 2016, a judicial panel has now ordered state lawmakers have all-new maps in place in time for the Nov. 2018 election.

In their ruling, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals judges ruled that Wisconsin must "have a remedial redistricting plan for the November 2018 election, enacted by the Wisconsin Legislature and signed by the Governor, in place no later than November 1, 2017."

November Redistricting Ruling

According to a Journal Sentinel report, a panel of federal judges ruled 2-1 that the redistricting maps were "intended to burden the representational rights of Democratic voters throughout the (10-year) period by impeding their ability to translate their votes into legislative seats."

"We find that the discriminatory effect is not explained by the political geography of Wisconsin nor is it justified by a legitimate state interest. Consequently, Act 43 constitutes an unconstitutional political gerrymander," the decision reads.

According to a Star Tribune report, at the time, the judges didn't order any immediate changes to district boundaries, instead saying they would accept ideas on what to do next within the next 30 days. That period has come to an end with the 7th Circuit's ruling on Friday, Jan. 27.

Republicans Unhappy

Republicans, took control of Wisconsin's state government during the 2010 election and re-drew legislative maps in 2011 as part of redistricting required every 10 years.

A group of voters sued, calling the redistricting it "the worst example of gerrymandering in modern history."

Wisconsin Legislative Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said "it's unprecedented and it isn't over" after a panel of federal judges ruled GOP-redrawn legislative districts were unconstitutional in November 2016.

"“There are only two things that are certain about this case: it’s unprecedented and it isn’t over. The ruling can and should be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court," Vos stated after Monday's ruling. "The state of Wisconsin has competitive legislative districts that meet every traditional principle of redistricting. Republicans win elections because we have better candidates and a better message that continues to resonate with the voters."

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image: wisconsin legislature archives