The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 16, 2025
Special Note from the Host: You may notice some slurring of my speech during this and upcoming reports. May 9th, I suffered an attack of Bell’s Palsy which has affected the right side of my face and impacts my speech. This is being treated, and recovery is expected with 2-3 weeks of steroid treatments. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
Pro-Voter Groups Again Challenge ‘Least Change” Congressional Districts in Wisconsin Supreme Court, After Outcome of April’s $100M Court Race
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
After the election of liberal-leaning Justice Janet Protasiewicz in 2023, Wisconsin state assembly and senate maps were challenged in the Wisconsin Supreme Court and subsequently thrown out as unconstitutional. But justices passed on a challenge to the Congressional districts. They’re being challenged again.
With April’s election of liberal justice Susan Crawford, pro-voter groups are trying again for a fairer Congressional voting map. In early 2024, the legislature ignored six fairer maps and adopted Democratic Governor Tony Evers’ “least-change” compromise map, later allowed to let stand by the U.S. Supreme Court. GOP candidates were elected to 6 of 8 Congressional seats with only 50% of the statewide vote in 2024.
Two challenges were filed May 7th and 8th, one by the Elias Group contending that the least change directive has no basis in the Wisconsin constitution, and the second by the Campaign Legal Center, argues that Evers map ignored traditional redistricting norms, split too many counties, and didn’t equally apportion the districts.
A record $100 million dollars was spent by both sides in the recently Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The current margin in the U.S. House is 220 Republicans to 213 Democrats.
We’ve linked to the filings at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – (2023) Oral Arguments Heard by the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Constitutionality of the the State’s Extreme Gerrymandered Maps
American Democracy Minute – (2024) After Cleaning Up Gerrymandered State Senate & Assembly Districts, the Wisconsin Supreme Court Passes on Congressional Districts
American Democracy Minute – (2024) In a Game of Chicken with the Wisconsin Supreme Court, GOP Legislators Pass Somewhat Competitive Redistricting Maps in Effort to Avoid Truly Fair Maps
Wisconsin Public Radio – 2 lawsuits challenging Wisconsin’s congressional map filed with state Supreme Court
Wisconsin Supreme Court (via WPR) – Elias Group Challenge to Congressional Districts
Wisconsin Supreme Court (via WPR) – Campaign Legal Center Challenge to Congressional Districts
Groups Taking Action:
Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, League of Women Voters WI, Common Cause WI
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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