What the Wisconsin Supreme Court race could mean for the state's Republican-drawn redistricting maps
On April 4, Wisconsin voters will choose a new justice to sit on the state's highest court — but the race could eventually go a long way to deciding who sits in the Legislature.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court race has been called the most important election in the country this year, and the new court will be asked to weigh in on any number of pivotal issues, including, most prominently, whether to strike down the state's abortion ban. But it could also consider a challenge to the state's political district maps, which have been described as among the most gerrymandered in the country.
Whether the court takes that step almost surely depends on who wins next month's election. A victory by former Justice Dan Kelly would preserve the 4-3 conservative majority. A win by Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz would give liberals control of the court for the first time since 2008.
If the latter happens, it would open the door to a redistricting case, said Rob Yablon, a University of Wisconsin-Madison law professor and redistricting expert.
"The court likely would have that opportunity," Yablon said. "I think there are litigants who would almost certainly try to bring a case."
https://www.wpr.org/wisconsin-supreme-court-april-race-state-legislature-redistricting-maps
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