By Kim McDarison
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled earlier this week that Wisconsin Legislature redistricting maps, using a methodology called “least change,” as submitted by Gov. Tony Evers, will be put in place for the next 10 years.
Reports published by statewide media, and commentary published by Fort Atkinson Online, as written by Jefferson County Resident Dan Russler — who was among members of an ad hoc analytical group called the Wisconsin Map Assessment Project (WIMAP) — state that the new maps continue to maintain politically a Republican-leaning advantage.
Russler’s full commentary is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/wisconsin-redistricting-2022-is-historic-and-surprising/.
New maps put in place will affect, to varying degrees, the state’s 99 Assembly districts and 33 State Senate districts.
In Jefferson County, changes made to the boundaries of Assembly District 33 leave Rep. Cody Horlacher, R-Mukwonago, residing outside of his district.
The portion of Mukwonago where Horlacher resides and which was formerly included within the district is now part of Assembly District 83, as depicted on graphic representations showing the new maps.
Chuck Wichgers, R-Muskego, is currently the representative in the 83rd district.
Before redistricting, the 33rd Assembly District included portions of Jefferson, Waukesha and Walworth counties, holding within its boundaries the communities of Cambridge, Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Hebron, Palmyra, Eagle and Mukwonago.
New boundaries exclude Mukwonago and add, in part or full, the communities of Johnson Creek, Rome, Sullivan, Ixonia, Lebanon, Neosho and Watertown.
Also representing a portion of Jefferson County, Assembly District 38 Rep. Barbara Dittrich, R-Oconomowoc, no longer resides in her district. The district, before the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling, contained a portion of Oconomowoc, along with the Jefferson County community of Lake Mills, but new boundaries exclude communities formerly included within the district east of Watertown, including instead, communities to the city’s north, extending into Dodge County and including Clyman and Lowell.
In addition, new maps show Assembly District 43, represented by Don Vruwink, D-Milton, left virtually unchanged. The district includes portions of Rock, Walworth and Jefferson counties, including the communities of Evansville, Edgerton, Milton and Whitewater.
Changes made in Wisconsin Senate District 11, represented by Sen. Stephen Nass, R-Whitewater, largely mirror changes made in Assembly District 33. The senatorial district contains Assembly Districts 31, 32 and 33.
Changes made in Wisconsin Senate District 15, represented by Sen. Janis Ringhand, D-Evansville, are virtually unchanged. The senatorial district contains Assembly Districts 43, 44, 45.
A map including all of the Wisconsin Assembly Districts put in place after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling is here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1fPl8On9q8ZyTa6A1V3CJDzry3YR_pGNt&ll=44.8904731459282%2C-90.31174394683863&z=5.
A map including all of the Wisconsin Senate Districts put in place after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling is here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=16pQAubyKxYn-7qSF8Lu5RHTm8DsOlJdV&ll=44.96157892561394%2C-89.50783867075889&z=5.