Justice Karofksy: “Current Districts Violate Constitution’s Contiguity Requirements”
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that the current state legislative districts in Wisconsin violate the constitution’s contiguity requirements. Justice Jill Karofksy, who wrote the ruling, stated, “Because the current state legislative districts contain separate, detached territory and therefore violate the constitution’s contiguity requirements, we enjoin the Wisconsin Elections Commission from using the current legislative maps in future elections.”
Gerrymandered Maps May Soon Be a Thing of the Past
Governor Tony Evers expressed optimism about the ruling, saying, “I remain as optimistic as ever that, at long last, the gerrymandered maps Wisconsinites have endured for years might soon be history.” Evers further criticized the Republican-controlled Legislature, stating, “It’s clear to me that a Republican-controlled Legislature that has consistently gerrymandered itself into comfortable, partisan majorities for more than a decade is incapable of preparing fair, nonpartisan maps deserving of the people of this state. I agree with the Court’s determination that these maps are unconstitutional because the districts lack contiguity. Wisconsin is a purple state, and I look forward to submitting maps to the Court to consider and review that reflect and represent the makeup of our state.”
New Maps to Be Submitted by Both Parties Involved
The revised maps from both parties involved in the lawsuit are due to be submitted by January 12. This development comes after Law Forward, the organization that brought the lawsuit, hailed Friday’s ruling as “a victory for a representative democracy in the state of Wisconsin.” Attorney Dan Lenz stated, “For too long, rightwing interests have rigged the rules without any consequences. Gerrymandered maps have distorted the political landscape, stifling the voice of the voters. It challenges the very essence of fair representation and erodes confidence in our political system.”
Calls for Fair Representation and Confidence in the Political System
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams applauded the Wisconsin Supreme Court for striking down the current map, calling Wisconsin “one of the worst gerrymandered states in the country” and stating that “Republicans have robbed voters of true representation for far too long.” Williams urged that the next set of maps “fairly reflect communities across the state,” emphasizing that the court’s decision is a game-changer.
Justice Ziegler Dissents, Raises Concerns
Not all justices agreed with the ruling. Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler dissented, expressing concerns about the court’s interference in the redistricting process. Ziegler wrote, “Four justices remap Wisconsin even though this constitutional responsibility is to occur every ten years, after a census, by the other two branches of government. The public understands this. Nonetheless, four justices impose their will on the entire Assembly and half of the Senate, all of whom are up for election in 2024. Almost every legislator in the state will need to respond, with lightning speed, to the newly minted maps, deciding if they can or want to run, and scrambling to find new candidates for new districts.”
The ruling marks an important milestone in the ongoing battle for fair representation and confidence in the political system in Wisconsin.
