Testimony in a lawsuit over whether redistricting maps will have to be redrawn is expected to wrap up today in federal court. The trial got underway Thursday in Milwaukee, after Republican legislative leaders claimed the state Constitution prevents them from revisiting the maps. That was after the three judge panel gave them one more opportunity to do so. “That was nonsense, and it took the court about two hours to come back and tell them that,” says state Representative Jon Richards. The Milwaukee Democrat says the GOP insistence on secrecy has led to a situation where the court must make a decision quickly. “It’s important that we resolve this matter as quickly as possible. If the matter does go back to the legislature, we’re going to need some time to draw maps and vote on those maps,” says Richards. “That’s really what we should do in this case.”
If the court does finds problems with the maps, it is unclear whether the court would draw new ones or send them back to the Legislature with an order that it make changes. The lawsuit by a immigrants advocacy group and others claims the maps disenfranchise Hispanic voters in Milwaukee and make some 300,000 voters wait six years to vote for state Senator.