A Washington law firm, the Elias Law Group, known for aiding Democrats in election campaigns nationwide, has submitted a lawsuit to the liberal-leaning Wisconsin Supreme Court, seeking to invalidate the state's congressional maps. This move comes following the court's recent decision to order new state legislative maps, opening the door for potential challenges.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Democratic voters, less than a month after the court invalidated the state's legislative maps and commenced a review of seven proposed alternatives. Similar litigation is currently underway in multiple states concerning U.S. House and state legislative districts that were established post-2020 census.

In their ruling, the Wisconsin Supreme Court determined that the prior conservative-controlled court had erred in its 2021 decision, which endorsed minimal alterations to the existing maps. The new lawsuit argues that this verdict should also apply to the congressional district maps, which were created under the same "least change" requirement.

According to Abha Khanna, an attorney with the Elias Law Group, the utilization of the "least change" approach resulted in partisan unfairness, exacerbating the existing imbalance that has persistently disadvantaged Wisconsin voters. Currently, Republicans hold six of the state's eight congressional seats, while Democrats had held five in 2010 before the redrawing of the maps.

Of the state's present congressional districts, only two are deemed competitive. The 3rd District in western Wisconsin, won by Republican U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden in 2022, and the 1st District in southeastern Wisconsin, held by Republican Rep. Bryan Steil since 2019 but slightly more competitive under the latest maps. Both seats have garnered attention from national Democrats.

Democratic U.S. Representative Mark Pocan, whose district encompasses the liberal stronghold of Madison, voiced support for the lawsuit on social media, emphasizing the need for fair representation that accurately reflects Wisconsin's status as a purple state.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court faces significant time constraints in considering the challenge. State election officials have specified that new maps must be implemented by March 15 to allow candidates and election officials ample time to prepare for the August 13 primary. Nomination papers can be circulated starting April 15.

The lawsuit contends that the court has sufficient time to accept map submissions and select one for the upcoming November election, thereby fulfilling its constitutional duty to independently adjudicate the validity of Wisconsin's congressional maps. Failure to act, the lawsuit argues, would perpetuate the discredited legal principle and subject Wisconsin voters to another decade of congressional maps lacking a basis in Wisconsin law.

Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Brian Schimming contended that the court should not entertain the case but indicated that if it proceeds, the GOP would pursue the U.S. Supreme Court to maintain the current congressional maps. Schimming criticized the liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, accusing them of disregarding the public's trust and catering to out-of-state donors.

Reacting to the lawsuit, Mike Marinella, spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, accused Democrats of bending the rules in their favor instead of running on policies that benefit Wisconsinites. He argued that Wisconsin Democrats are resorting to gerrymandering to secure House seats since they are unable to win them through conventional means.

It is worth noting that the existing congressional maps in Wisconsin were created by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and sanctioned by the state Supreme Court. In March 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to block their implementation. Elias Law Group, spearheaded by Marc Elias, a prominent attorney for Democrats, known for filing election and voting access lawsuits nationwide, represents the plaintiffs in this case. Elias also served as the attorney for multiple Democratic campaigns, including John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, President Joe Biden's campaign, as well as the Democratic National Committee, in response to lawsuits filed by former President Donald Trump following the 2020 election.