CASE SUMMARY

On August 23, 2021, a coalition of Wisconsin voters and voting rights organizations filed a federal lawsuit against the members of the Wisconsin Elections Commission challenging the state’s then-still-in-effect 2010-cycle legislative redistricting plans as malapportioned in violation of the one person, one vote constitutional requirement and the state’s lack of new redistricting plans as hindering their 1st Amendment rights to communicate and contribute to legislative candidates. They sought a judicial declaration the 2010-cycle legislative plans were unconstitutional, an injunction barring their use in future elections, and a court ordered schedule for adopting and implementing new redistricting plans if the Wisconsin Legislature and Governor were unable to do so in a timely manner.

  • On September 16, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin consolidated this case with another challenge to Wisconsin’s redistricting plans, Hunter v. Bostelmann.
  • On October 6, 2021, the district court granted a stay on the case in light of a redistricting challenge petition that had been recently accepted by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Johnson v. Wisconsin Elections Commission. The stay was repeatedly extended by the court, ultimately extending until January 28, 2022.
  • On March 3, 2022, the Wisconsin Supreme Court adopted final congressional and legislative plans in Johnson v. Wisconsin Elections Commission.
  • On May 5, 2022, the federal district court dismissed the case, citing the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision in Johnson.

Related Case: Hunter v. Bostelmann

Similar Case: Johnson v. Wisconsin Elections Commission

CASE LIBRARY

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin - No. 3:21-cv-534