You will likely see district maps head to the courts even with the Wisconsin Legislature debating the topic this week in Madison. Both the Wisconsin Legislature and the People’s Maps Commission have submitted their proposals for review with each side they will not even consider the others. The Legislature’s map looks largely the same as it did when they were drawn 10 years ago with some minor changes due to population fluctuations. The People’s Maps Commission is Governor Tony Evers’ attempt of having a non-partisan panel draw the maps. Under the revised maps, the First Assembly District represented by Sturgeon Bay Republican Joel Kitchens would lose a small portion of Brown County but gain a larger chunk of Manitowoc County. Kitchens believes the Republican-drawn map is the better one because of how it keeps communities together.

Common Cause Wisconsin Executive Director Jay Heck believes the People’s Maps Commission is a better representation of how such maps should be drawn, citing the revised versions that were created because of the public’s opinions being heard.

The Wisconsin Legislature does not have to consider the People’s Maps Commission’s proposal when they discuss their own idea this week. Governor Evers has already promised he will veto any Republican-drawn map, calling it “gerrymandering 2.0.” With a likely date in court coming, the district maps have to be submitted to the Wisconsin Elections Commission in March.