Wisconsin’s High-Stakes Redistricting Battle Heads to the Supreme Court
Picture this: It’s a crisp autumn day in Madison, Wisconsin, and the steps of the state Capitol are bustling with anticipation. The reason? A pivotal redistricting case is about to unfold, and it’s got political junkies on the edge of their seats. The liberal-leaning Wisconsin Supreme Court is gearing up to hear arguments that could reshape the state’s legislative landscape. And let me tell you, the stakes are as high as the cheese hats at a Packers game.
The Battle for the Badger State’s Political Map
Now, for those of you who’ve been living under a rock (or, you know, just have normal hobbies), redistricting is the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries. It’s like a giant game of Tetris, but instead of fitting blocks together, we’re fitting voters into districts. And in Wisconsin, it’s not just any game—it’s a game that could tilt the balance of power.
Democrats are crossing their fingers for new, more favorable maps that could help them chip away at the Republicans’ hefty majority. Meanwhile, the GOP is standing firm, defending the maps they drew up over a decade ago like a prized Family recipe.
The Heart of the Matter: Contiguity and the Constitution
So, what’s the beef? Democratic voters are arguing that the current maps, which haven’t changed much since 2011, are as “unsalvageable” as a burnt bratwurst. They claim these maps are unconstitutional and need a complete do-over. On the flip side, the Legislature is accusing the Dems of flexing their “raw political power” muscles, trying to leverage the court’s new liberal majority to flip the script on the 2021 ruling that kept the current maps in place.
And speaking of the court, it’s now leaning left with a 4-3 split, thanks to Justice Janet Protasiewicz’s recent win. She’s been vocal about the GOP-drawn maps being as “unfair” and “rigged” as a carnival game, which has some Republicans so riled up they’re tossing around the “I” word—impeachment. But for now, they’re holding their horses, waiting to see how she votes.
What’s at Stake: The Future of Wisconsin’s Elections
The Democrats’ dream scenario? The court strikes down the legislative maps, whips up some new ones, and orders elections under these fresh maps for all 132 state lawmakers in 2024. But let’s not put the cart before the horse—any ruling is likely to be appealed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, and who knows if they’ll make the call in time for the 2024 election hoedown.
The Legislature, playing it cool, suggests that if we’re going to see new maps, they shouldn’t come into play any sooner than the 2026 election. Talk about playing the long game!
The National Redistricting Rodeo
Wisconsin isn’t the only state where redistricting is hotter than a Friday night fish fry. Over a dozen states are tangled up in legal battles over their U.S. House and state legislative districts. From New York to New Mexico, and even North Dakota, courts are hearing arguments left and right about whether the lines on the map are fair or if they’re slicing up voters like a wheel of cheddar.
In the Badger State, the crux of the Democrats’ case is whether the current districts are as noncontiguous as a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces, and if they’re stepping on the toes of the Wisconsin Constitution’s separation of powers doctrine.
Wisconsin: An Outlier in Contiguity?
Attorneys challenging the maps are pointing out that a whopping majority of current legislative districts—think 54 out of 99 in the Assembly and 21 out of 33 in the Senate—are allegedly playing hopscotch with the state constitution’s contiguity requirement. They’re saying Wisconsin is sticking out like a sore thumb, with 46 other states having no noncontiguous districts to speak of.
But the Legislature’s lawyers are waving the history book, arguing that Wisconsin’s redistricting laws and a half-century of court rulings have given the thumbs up to noncontiguous districts under certain conditions. They’re suggesting that even if the court decides to tackle the issue, it should only affect the specific spots where districts aren’t holding hands, not throw the whole map out the window.
The GOP’s Decade-Long Dominance
Since the Republican-controlled Legislature drew up the 2011 maps, they’ve been sitting pretty with majorities that are as solid as a block of aged cheddar. They’ve been busy bees, passing a slew of conservative measures and putting the brakes on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ agenda faster than you can say “cheese curd.”
And let’s not forget, the GOP is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from a supermajority that could override Evers’ vetoes like a Packers touchdown in a Bears’ den.
Gerrymandering: The Elephant (and Donkey) in the Room
According to an Associated Press analysis, Wisconsin’s Assembly districts are some of the most gerrymandered in the country. It’s like the Republicans have been winning seats in a game where they’ve got the only set of dice. But with this case, the tables could turn, and we might just see a new game board for the 2024 elections.
So, there you have it, folks. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is about to dive into a redistricting case that’s as spicy as a bottle of hot sauce. Will the Democrats get their wish for new maps, or will the Republicans hold their ground? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—it’s going to be one heck of a political showdown in America’s Dairyland.
