Gov. Tony Evers today secured new legislative maps for the state of Wisconsin, undoing what many pundits have long considered some of the most gerrymandered maps in the U.S., according to a press release. The move marks the first time in over 50 years that Wisconsin will have legislative maps enacted through the legislative process rather than through the courts.
The legislative maps enacted by Evers today were previously submitted by the governor to the Wisconsin Supreme Court for its consideration in ongoing redistricting litigation in Clarke v. Wisconsin Elections Commission. Evers’ maps, as submitted to the court, were passed by the Republican-controlled Wisconsin State Legislature with bipartisan support last week and enacted by the governor today as 2023 Wisconsin Act 94. The new legislative maps avoid partisan bias and increase the number of competitive legislative seats.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court previously ruled Wisconsin’s legislative maps were unconstitutional, leaving no legislative maps in place for the 2024 election. Evers’ maps will take effect immediately after publication and will be in place for the fall elections.
Evers today also submitted an official letter to the Wisconsin Supreme Court asking the court to retain jurisdiction over this matter to resolve remaining issues, specifically which maps will apply to special elections occurring prior to the November 2024 general election.
