Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has signed into law new legislative maps that are poised to reshape the political dynamics of a state Legislature long dominated by Republicans.
The enactment of these new maps comes in the wake of a shift in the balance of the state Supreme Court, transitioning from a 4-3 conservative majority to a 4-3 liberal edge following Janet Protasiewicz’s victory last year. This change, precipitated by the retirement of a conservative-leaning justice, prompted the court’s ruling in December deeming the state’s existing maps—recognized as some of the most gerrymandered in the country—as unconstitutional, necessitating the creation of new district boundaries ahead of the 2024 elections.
The prior maps significantly favored Republicans, who held 64 of 99 seats in the state Assembly and 22 of 33 seats in the state Senate. However, a recent analysis by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel indicates that the newly approved maps will establish a more balanced distribution of Democratic and Republican-leaning state Assembly districts, setting the stage for an anticipated surge in Democratic gains come fall.
Governor Evers emphasized the principle of fairness in redistricting, stating, “When I promised I wanted fair maps—not maps that are better for one party or another—I damn well meant it. Wisconsin is not a red state or a blue state—we’re a purple state, and I believe our maps should reflect that basic fact.”
In contrast, State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican, criticized the new maps, characterizing them as “the most Republican-leaning maps out of all the Democrat-gerrymandered maps” under consideration by the state’s high court. Nevertheless, Vos underscored the imperative of providing certainty in state governance, expressing confidence in Republican success in the upcoming elections.
Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, hailed the enactment of the new maps as a significant turning point. He remarked, “The end of Wisconsin’s gerrymandering era will unleash a new wave of energy from candidates, volunteers, and voters that could affect not just the state legislature, but the U.S. House, the Senate, and the presidential race.”
With the revised maps now in effect, Democratic groups are mobilizing efforts to capitalize on the shifting political landscape. Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, affirmed the organization’s commitment to advancing fair representation in Wisconsin, asserting, “The time for fair representation in Wisconsin is long overdue, and we are building winning campaigns and sustainable infrastructure to build power this cycle and ultimately take back both majorities.”