Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed new legislative district maps into law on Monday, a move that has been hailed as a significant political victory for Democrats in the state. The new maps, proposed by Governor Evers and passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature, are set to reshape the political landscape in the swing state.
Under the new maps, Democrats are expected to gain seats in both the state Assembly and state Senate. This development marks a shift from the past decade, during which Republicans have maintained firm control over the Legislature despite Democrats winning the majority of statewide elections.
The decision to implement new maps came after a ruling by the state Supreme Court, which declared the existing maps unconstitutional due to issues of contiguity. The court mandated that new maps be put in place for the upcoming November election.
Following the court's ruling, the Legislature faced a mid-March deadline to pass new maps. Ultimately, lawmakers approved the maps proposed by Governor Evers, with Republicans acknowledging that they had no better alternative. The new maps are set to bring about significant changes, with several incumbents in both the Assembly and Senate now facing the prospect of running against each other.
While Republicans have expressed concerns about the implications of the new maps, Democrats have welcomed the development as a long-awaited victory. The signing of the new legislative district maps marks a turning point in Wisconsin's political landscape, setting the stage for a more competitive electoral environment in the upcoming election cycle.
As litigation continues in multiple states over redistricting following the 2020 census, Wisconsin Democrats have also raised the possibility of challenging the state's congressional district lines. With Republicans currently holding the majority of congressional seats in the state, the legal and political implications of the new maps remain a subject of ongoing debate.
