Swansenreport

A Democratic effort to redraw Wisconsin’s congressional district lines before the November midterm election is effectively over, after a three-judge panel dismissed the lawsuit last month — a ruling that locks in the current Republican-friendly map for 2026.

The lawsuit was filed by the national Democratic firm Elias Law Group on behalf of Wisconsin voters who argued Republicans gerrymandered the state’s eight congressional districts so that six of them favor GOP candidates. The map was technically drawn by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, but under instructions from the Supreme Court’s former conservative majority to make the “least changes” possible to a map drawn by Republicans in 2011. Washington Times

The three-judge panel ruled it had “no basis to find the current congressional map invalid,” concluding that only the Wisconsin Supreme Court — not a circuit court panel — has the authority to determine whether the maps should be redrawn. TMZ In dismissing the case, the panel was careful to note it was “not endorsing the current congressional map,” but that circuit court judges simply lack the authority to read a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling as containing analysis it does not contain. Democracy Docket

The dismissal marks another setback for Democrats, who have sought for years to undo congressional maps that have favored Republican candidates since 2011. Republicans currently hold six of Wisconsin’s eight U.S. House seats. CNNThe ruling drew immediate reaction from national Republicans. National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Zach Bannon called it “a significant win for Republicans and a yet another blow to desperate Democrats who wanted to reshape the electoral landscape,” adding that keeping the current lines in place put Republicans “in a strong position to build on our momentum to retain and grow our House majority.” The National Desk

The decision is likely to be appealed directly to the liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court, but legal experts say it is now “almost entirely certain” that the current congressional districts will remain in place for the November election. NOTUS A second lawsuit challenging the maps on anti-competitive grounds remains pending, but that case is not scheduled for trial until April 2027.

Sources: Wisconsin Public Radio | Wisconsin Examiner | WisPolitics | WXPR (Rhinelander)