History. The ruling is seen as a major victory for Democrats, who have long argued that the Republican-drawn maps unfairly favor their opponents.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court's ruling comes less than a year before the 2024 election, making it a critical moment in a battleground state where the outcome of past presidential elections has been decided by slim margins. Republicans have held large majorities in the state Legislature due to the maps they drew over a decade ago. However, the court's decision to overturn those maps and order new district boundaries has the potential to weaken the GOP's grip on power in the state.

In a 4-3 ruling, the court sided with Democrats who argued that the current legislative maps are unconstitutional because they are not composed of contiguous territory. Justice Jill Karofsky, writing for the majority, stated that the current maps violate the state constitution's contiguity requirements and ordered the Wisconsin Elections Commission to cease using them in future elections.

Democratic Governor Tony Evers hailed the ruling as a step towards ending gerrymandering in the state. He expressed optimism that the "gerrymandered maps Wisconsinites have endured for years might soon be history." Dan Lenz, an attorney for Law Forward, the group that brought the lawsuit, called the ruling "a victory for representative democracy in the state of Wisconsin." He argued that gerrymandered maps have distorted the political landscape and suppressed the voice of voters.

However, Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos criticized the ruling, calling it "a sad day for our state." He suggested that the decision would be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which he believes will have the final say. Vos also expressed concern about the court's appointment of consultants to help draw new maps, questioning the legal authority to appoint them and their responsibilities.

The court has set a timeline for the creation of new maps. The parties involved in the lawsuit must submit their proposed maps by January 12, with supporting arguments due 10 days later. The court-appointed consultants will then evaluate the maps, and their reports are due by February 1, with responses due a week later. The court expects to release new maps by late February or early March, unless the Republican-controlled Legislature can pass maps that Governor Evers will sign into law.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court's ruling comes amidst ongoing litigation in multiple states over redistricting following the 2020 census. It also follows a federal judicial panel's decision to strike down some of Michigan's state House and Senate districts for being illegally drawn based on race.

The outcome of the Wisconsin case has significant implications for future elections in the state. The new maps could shape the political landscape and potentially result in more competitive races. The court's decision highlights the ongoing battle over redistricting and the power struggle between Democrats and Republicans in key swing states.