Gov. Tony Evers seeks to join Wisconsin's legal battle over redistricting

MADISON — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers sought Monday to join the court fight over Wisconsin's redistricting process, just as Republicans who control the Legislature have. 

The first-term governor asked a federal court to let him join a lawsuit over the shape of congressional and legislative districts for the next decade. Where the lines go will help determine which political party has the upper hand in elections.  

Ten years ago, Republicans controlled all of state government and drew maps that helped them. This time, Republicans won't have as easy of a time because Evers can veto whatever they draw. 

If Evers and lawmakers can't reach a deal, it will likely be left to the courts to decide where the lines go.

Anticipating that could happen, voters and groups started filing lawsuits last month asking judges to set a timetable for legislators and Evers to act. 

Three lawsuits have been filed over the map-drawing process — two in federal court and one in state court. Evers, who is represented by Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, on Monday asked to join one of the federal cases.

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A panel of three judges is hearing both federal cases and is considering combining the two cases it is overseeing. The panel gave Republican lawmakers permission to join one of the cases last month and is considering letting them intervene in the other one.

The third case is before the state Supreme Court, but the justices have not yet decided whether to accept that case. 

"I never thought I would be spending a lot of my time as governor protecting our democracy, but it’s clear that with continued attacks on the right to vote, misinformation around the 2020 election, and efforts to gerrymander our maps, this work has never been more important," Evers said in a statement. 

Evers last year created a commission to draw maps on a nonpartisan basis that he hopes lawmakers will adopt. Legislative leaders have said they plan to ignore the commission and will draw their own maps. 

Contact Patrick Marley at patrick.marley@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @patrickdmarley.