Legal fight over Wisconsin redistricting begins

By SCOTT BAUER

Republicans want to keep any legal battle over redistricting Wisconsin in the state Supreme Court, starting the fight over the redrawing of political boundary lines on Wednesday a full year before any new maps are created.

Since the Republicans drew the maps 10 years ago, the party has maintained majorities in the state Senate and Assembly and holds five of the state’s eight congressional districts, despite Democrats sweeping all statewide elected offices in 2018. Who draws the maps next year, and which court resolves the expected legal fight, will give the winner an upper hand in having majority control for a decade.

Even though Republicans currently control both chambers, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has the power to veto any map passed by the Legislature. Most expect courts to have the final say. Keeping any lawsuits in the state Supreme Court, as the rule change proposes, would seem to favor conservatives, given the current makeup of the court.