New legislative maps signed into law in Wisconsin could benefit Democrats in November election.

On Monday, Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin signed into law the new legislative district maps that he had proposed, which were passed by the Republicans who control the Legislature to prevent the liberal-controlled state Supreme Court from drawing the lines.

Democrats celebrated the signing as a significant political triumph in the swing state where the Legislature has been under Republican control for over a decade, despite Democrats winning 14 of the past 17 statewide elections.

Evers stated prior to signing the maps into law at the state Capitol, "When I pledged to want fair maps - not maps that favor one party over another, including my own - I meant it. Wisconsin is not a red state or a blue state; we're a purple state, and our maps should reflect that fundamental truth."

The new maps, in place for the November election, are likely to result in Democrats gaining seats in the state Assembly and state Senate. Since 2011, Republicans have been operating under gerrymandered maps that have been recognized as among the most unfair in the country.

Democrats failed for over a decade to challenge Republican-drawn electoral maps. However, following the election of liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz in August and the subsequent flip of the state Supreme Court, Democrats finally succeeded in overturning the maps.

The day after Protasiewicz joined the court, a lawsuit was filed, and Republicans contended that she shouldn't hear it because she had stated during her campaign that the GOP-drawn maps were "rigged" and "unfair." However, she did not recuse herself.

In a December ruling, Protasiewicz provided the deciding vote to declare the current maps unconstitutional because some districts were geographically disconnected from the rest. If the Legislature couldn't pass maps that Evers would sign, the court would draw the lines.

The court selected four Democratic-drawn maps after determining that the maps submitted by the Legislature and a conservative law firm were "partisan gerrymanders."

The Legislature passed the Evers maps on Tuesday, despite Democrats' skepticism and Republicans' claims of having no other choice.

Assembly Democratic Leader Greta Neubauer announced Monday that Wisconsin will no longer be one of the most gerrymandered states in the country. Neubauer, who opposed the maps, stated that this marks the beginning of a new era in Wisconsin, where the people's will will once again be the law of the land.

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos stated prior to the bill's passing that "it pains me to say it, but Gov. Evers gets a huge win today," and that with the new maps, "the Legislature will be up for grabs."

Other Republicans were even more stark.

Republican state Sen. Van Wanggaard stated that Republicans were not in a difficult position, but rather had to make a choice between being stabbed, shot, poisoned, or led to the guillotine. They chose to be stabbed so they could survive and continue fighting.

The bill raises concerns among Democrats that the maps won't be implemented immediately, which may have legal implications for special or recall elections occurring before November. The state Supreme Court has already ruled that the old maps are unconstitutional.

On Monday, Evers stated that the maps would become effective immediately upon publication and would remain in place for the fall elections. Additionally, he requested the state Supreme Court to confirm that the maps would be applicable to any special elections that occur prior to the November election.

There will be 15 incumbents in the Assembly who will have to compete against another incumbent, and six such pairings in the Senate. Only one Assembly pairing will feature two Democratic incumbents running against each other. In the Senate, the only Democratic pairing includes an incumbent who has already announced they will not run this fall.

Over a dozen states are still engaged in litigation regarding the U.S. House and state legislative districts that were established following the 2020 census.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has been asked by Democrats to consider a challenge to the state's congressional district lines. The lawsuit contends that the court's decision to order new state legislative maps creates an opportunity to challenge the congressional map. Republicans currently hold six of the state's eight congressional seats.