In an effort to address the lingering issue of gerrymandering in Wisconsin, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican, expressed his hope that the liberal-controlled state Supreme Court will adopt new constitutional legislative boundary maps. Vos criticized the proposals put forth by Democrats, dismissing them as a "political gerrymander," and even hinted at a potential appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The state Supreme Court recently invalidated the Republican-drawn maps, known for their favorability towards the GOP, and mandated the creation of new maps that are not biased towards any party. Should the Legislature fail to adopt these fair maps, the court will step in to fulfill this responsibility.

Vos stated that Republicans have engaged in conversations with Democrats regarding the passage of new maps in the Legislature, but claimed that they "have not gotten a warm reception to that idea." Despite this, he emphasized the willingness of Republicans to engage in the process and find a resolution.

Democratic Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, however, questioned the sincerity of Vos' intentions, stating that while they were open to conversations with their Republican colleagues, they remained unconvinced of their commitment to passing a fair and truly representative map. Neubauer specifically referenced the extreme partisan bias of the map submitted by Republicans last Friday to the court.

Wisconsin, a purple state that has witnessed close presidential races in recent years, has seen its legislative landscape shaped by Republican-drawn maps in 2011 and again in 2022 with minimal alterations. These maps have contributed to the Republican party's significant majorities of 64-35 in the Assembly and 22-11 in the state Senate.

The GOP-controlled Legislature's maps passed in 2021 were vetoed by Democratic Governor Tony Evers, leading to the adoption of the current maps by the conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court. However, with a shift in the court's composition towards a liberal majority, the maps were ultimately ruled unconstitutional in December.

The court determined that the existing maps violated the constitution due to the inclusion of non-contiguous territories within certain districts. As a result, lawmakers from both parties, along with Evers, law firms representing liberal and conservative interests, mathematics professors, and a redistricting consultant, submitted new proposals for redrawing the maps last Friday.

According to an analysis conducted by Marquette University Law School research fellow John D. Johnson, the Republican map would maintain the current 64-35 GOP majority, while the other proposed maps would reduce the margin to a slim one-seat Republican advantage.

Vos dismissed the maps submitted by Democrats, arguing that they would disrupt boundary lines and force incumbent lawmakers to face off against each other. He derided these maps as nothing more than a "political gerrymander."

In the 2022 election, Wisconsin's Assembly districts ranked as the second most Republican-leaning in the country behind only West Virginia. An Associated Press statistical analysis revealed that while Republicans garnered less than 55% of the votes cast for major party Assembly candidates, they secured 65% of the seats.

The submitted maps are currently undergoing review by two consultants hired by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Their recommendations, along with the recommended maps, will be presented in a report due on February 1.

Vos expressed his hope that the court, through a fair reading, will reject the submitted maps that exhibit significant partisan bias. Should the court opt for alternative maps proposed by the professors involved, Vos intends to avoid rushing an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Instead, he aims to achieve a map that meets constitutional standards.

Republicans have indicated potential due process violations as grounds for their appeal. Furthermore, Vos suggested that a key argument could revolve around the participation of liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz, who publicly criticized the current maps as "rigged" and "unfair" during her campaign for office. Protasiewicz sided with the three other liberal justices in ordering the creation of new maps.