Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Unconstitutional GOP-Drawn Legislative Maps, Orders New Maps for 2024 General Election

Wisconsin’s Supreme Court has ruled that the state’s GOP-drawn legislative maps are unconstitutional and ordered the legislature to draw new maps for the 2024 general election. The ruling comes less than a year before the election in a state where four of the past six presidential elections have been decided by fewer than 23,000 votes.

The liberal-controlled court overturned the Republican-drawn maps on Friday and ordered that new district boundary lines be drawn as Democrats had urged in a redistricting case they hope will weaken GOP majorities. The court ruled 4-3 in favor of Democrats who argued that the legislative maps are unconstitutional because districts drawn aren’t contiguous.

The ruling was inevitable after Republicans lost their state Supreme Court majority with the election of Janet Protasiewicz back in April. Wisconsin is a consummate swing state, with gubernatorial and senate elections routinely being decided by the smallest of margins.

If the current gerrymandered legislature can’t agree on a plan with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, the court said it’s prepared to create its own. This ruling could have a significant impact on the 2024 election, as it could shift the balance of power in the state legislature. It remains to be seen how the new maps will be drawn and what effect they will have on the election.