Republicans in the State Legislature asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court this week to stay its ruling putting Gov. Tony Evers’ redistricting maps into place while they appeal the court’s decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Evers’ map incudes seven majority Black Assembly districts, which have a lower percentage of Black voters than the six majority Black districts under the current map. In comparison, the Republican proposal had five majority Black Assembly districts according to WisPolitics.
The petitioners argue that the map that is unconstitutional and does not survive scrutiny under the Voting Rights Act. They claim that the seven districts, which is the maximum that could be drawn in the Milwaukee area, racially gerrymander the region.
Notably, the Legislature is only asking for the court to stay the implementation of the new Assembly and Senate districts, not the state’s congressional districts.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) has indicated that it needed the new maps by last week so that it could adequately prepare for the circulation of nomination papers on April 15th. However, Republicans have stated they believe the actual deadline for circulation to be towards the end of April.
On Wednesday, the five Republican members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation joined the call for the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the appeal. The delegation includes U.S. Reps. Scott Fitzgerald, Mike Gallagher, Glenn Grothman, Bryan Steil, and Tom Tiffany.
Additionally, State Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) said she would challenge the maps in court because she believed it dilutes the electoral influence of Black voters. However, she has yet to formally file an appeal.
