The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Dec. 2, 2025
We’re in Wisconsin today, where the state supreme court, after unwinding gerrymandering in state house and senate districts, has appointed lower court judicial panels to hear challenges to Wisconsin’s congressional districts.
Pro-voter groups argue the congressional maps should be subject to the fairer criteria mandated for the state legislative districts, but in March 2024, the state supreme court refused to hear two challenges to the congressional districts, and a “least changed” map was used for the 2024 election.
That position has changed. November 25th, citing a 2011 law signed by the architect of the state’s gerrymandering, former Governor Scott Walker, the Wisconsin Supreme Court established two, three-circuit court judge panels to consider each of the congressional redistricting challenges.
How the six judges were selected has raised objections from Republican legislators and dissenting justices, according to reporting by the Wisconsin Examiner. All six were nominated by Democratic Governor Tony Evers. Justice Annette Ziegler wrote, “Hand picking circuit court judges to perform political maneuvering is unimaginable.” But Ziegler herself had supported the legislature’s past gerrymandered maps.
The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and other pro-voter groups are proposing a citizen-led independent redistricting commission for the next redistricting cycle.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – (2024) After Cleaning Up Gerrymandered State Senate & Assembly Districts, the Wisconsin Supreme Court Passes on Congressional Districts
American Democracy Minute – (April) Pro-Voter Groups Again Challenge ‘Least Change” Congressional Districts in Wisconsin Supreme Court, After Outcome of April’s $100M Court Race
Wisconsin Examiner – Wisconsin Supreme Court says 3-judge panels will decide redistricting cases
Wisconsin Politics – Wisconsin Supreme Court appoints panels to hear challenges to state’s congressional map
Groups Taking Action:
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, League of Women Voters WI
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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