In December 2023, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that Wisconsin’s legislative maps, in place since 2011, violate the state constitution and must be redrawn in time for the 2024 election. On February 19, Gov. Tony Evers signed new maps into law.
Gov. Evers originally proposed the new maps in January as part of the Supreme Court-ordered remedial maps process, which started after its December 22 ruling striking down previous maps, and passed by the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature in
February.
Senate and Assembly Republicans passed Evers’ maps in order to avoid an even worse set of maps from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Republicans feared the new 4-3 liberal state Supreme Court would approve even more pro-Democratic maps.
Under the new maps, both parties have a mostly equal shot of obtaining a legislative majority, with Republicans still holding a slight advantage, according to redistricting experts.
Since 2011, Democrats have argued that Wisconsin legislative districts were heavily gerrymandered in favor of Republicans. Today, Republicans hold a 22-11 supermajority in the state Senate and a strong 65-35 majority in the state Assembly, even though
the state’s electorate is almost evenly divided in statewide presidential and gubernatorial elections. Evers’ maps provide a path to the majority for Democrats after spending the last 13 years in deep minorities.
Old vs. new maps
From a big picture perspective, the new map gives Democrats a real chance to compete with Republicans for control of the Wisconsin Legislature for the first time since 2011. Download the PDF at the blue button to see charts that break down the numbers
for both parties in the Senate and Assembly.
“Highly competitive” and “lean” seats: The fight to control one or both houses of the legislature will take place in highly competitive or lean seat districts. Highly competitive districts range from 48-52% for either party, and lean seats generally
range from 50-54% for either side.
Numbers: Under the new maps, there are nine highly competitive and/or lean districts in the Senate, and 15 highly competitive and/or lean seats in the Assembly. These are the legislative districts where both parties will try to run their best candidates
and spend the most money.
Republican “lean” seats: Under the new map, “lean GOP” seats in the Senate and Assembly were eliminated. This is the same tactic Republicans used in 2011 to benefit Republicans and minimize opportunities for Democrats to pick up seats over the
last 13 years.
Download new maps
Legislative pairings
Depending on where you live, your state legislators could change. Your current lawmaker could be placed in a district with another incumbent, and if they run against each other, one could leave the Wisconsin Legislature. Under the new maps, 35 Republicans
have been drawn out of their districts and paired with other, mostly Republican incumbents. Only seven Democrats were paired. See the following list of legislators paired under the new maps.
With 35 Republican pairings, Evers said the maps approved by the Legislature will undue more than a decade of Wisconsin being the “most gerrymandered” state in the country. “Wisconsin is not a red state or a blue state — we’re a purple state, and I believe
our maps should reflect that basic fact,” said Evers prior to signing the new maps into law.
Not everyone was happy about the new maps. “It pains me to say it, but Gov. Evers gets a huge win today,” Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said just before the bill passed, adding that under the new maps, the “Legislature will be up for grabs.”
Redrawing Wisconsin’s legislative boundaries has created a genuine shakeup within the two chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature. Some lawmakers have decided to move and run in different districts, and some have decided to retire. The new legislative maps
will have a big impact on the 2024 elections.
Download legislative pairings