New Legislative Maps Could Shake Up Wisconsin Politics

Wisconsin is getting new legislative maps that promise to shake things up after years of extreme gerrymandering by Republicans. The new maps were approved this week by the state legislature and could bring more balance to the political scene.

For over a decade, GOP lawmakers drew district lines that packed Democrats into certain areas and scattered others to dilute their voting power. This allowed Republicans to control both houses of the legislature even when more voters supported Democrats statewide. But the state Supreme Court put a stop to the messy maps at the end of last year.

The new maps were drafted by Democratic Governor Tony Evers after the court ruled the old ones unconstitutional. Evers’ maps fix some of the worst issues like bizarrely shaped districts that stranded voters far from others in their area. Republicans in the legislature were worried the court might pick even less favorable maps if they didn’t act. So in a surprise move, they voted for Evers’ maps this week.

How Will the New Districts Affect Elections?

Analysts say the new maps won’t completely flip control of the legislature, but they will make things more competitive. Republicans have had a huge advantage but may only hold slim majorities going forward. Suburban Milwaukee and northern Wisconsin are areas that could swing more toward Democrats under the maps. Incumbents from both parties may have tougher reelection fights as district lines are redrawn. Overall, observers say the new maps inject more uncertainty and could end one party’s lock on power.

Republican leaders acknowledge the maps put them at a disadvantage but hope strong candidates and messages will still let them win key races. Democrats are still pushing for an independent redistricting commission in the future to take politics out of the map-drawing process. But for now, most agree the new maps are a big improvement that should lead to fairer representation.

The new legislative maps approved in Wisconsin this week could bring welcome changes to the state’s political scene after more than a decade of extreme gerrymandering. By making elections more competitive, the maps may end one party’s dominance and give voters a bigger say in who represents them. Only time will tell how the new district lines ultimately impact control of the legislature going forward.