WI Supreme Court justice criticizes redrawing of maps as ‘law trampling
Conservative Judges in Wisconsin Criticize Redrawing of Congressional Map
Conservative judges in Wisconsin are expressing their disappointment with the state Supreme Court’s decision to redraw the congressional map. They accuse their liberal counterparts of favoring Democrats in the upcoming 2024 elections by overturning the current boundaries.
Controversial Ruling Sparks Political Debate
The Wisconsin Supreme Court, in a 4-3 vote along ideological lines, declared that the Republican-submitted maps violated the state’s constitution. As a result, they ordered the lines to be redrawn before the 2024 primary elections. This decision has drawn criticism from conservatives who believe the justices are politically motivated to secure victories for Democrats, potentially influencing the outcome of the presidential election.
“With its first opinion as an openly progressive faction, the members of the majority shed their robes, usurp the prerogatives of the legislature, and deliver the spoils to their preferred political party,”
Justice Rebecca Bradley wrote in her dissent. “These handmaidens of the Democratic Party trample the rule of law, dishonor the institution of the judiciary, and undermine democracy.”
The court’s ruling highlighted that a significant number of Assembly and Senate districts violated the state constitution’s requirement of “contiguous territory.” These districts included portions of land that were not physically connected to other parts of the same district.
Conservatives argue that similar contiguity gaps have existed in the state’s congressional maps for the past five decades, regardless of which political party drew them. They also point to the court’s 2022 decision, which upheld the current district lines as constitutional, suggesting that the matter of redistricting had already been settled.
“The matter of legislative redistricting was thoroughly litigated and resolved after the 2020 census,”
Justice Brian Hagedorn wrote in his dissent.
The recent ruling necessitates the creation of a new proposed map in the spring, which must be approved before the state’s primary elections in August. If lawmakers and Governor Tony Evers cannot reach an agreement, the court will be responsible for implementing its own map. This potential outcome could give Democrats a significant advantage, especially since they recently gained control of the state Supreme Court.
Currently, Republicans hold seven out of the state’s ten congressional districts, and they control both chambers of the state legislature. However, if the state Supreme Court successfully passes a map favorable to Democrats next year, it could have far-reaching implications for power dynamics not only in Wisconsin but also in the House of Representatives.
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