Supco takes up Wisconsin redistricting case

This is a very important day for the United States process of democracy. The nation’s highest court today will hear arguments in a case that examines the constitutionality of how legislative boundaries are drawn. The case comes from Wisconsin, where plaintiffs argue that the current legislative boundaries, which determine in which legislative district voters reside, are unconstitutional because they benefit one political party over another. That is what the lower courts have ruled, but the state’s appeal has sent this to the U.S. Supreme Court. It is hard to understate the importance of the court’s decision. If the court rules that Wisconsin’s map, drawn by republicans in 2011, they will have to be redrawn, which could serve to give all candidates an equal shot at getting elected. Under the current maps, the number of democrats elected to the state legislature has dwindled, even as they captured a majority of the vote. Democrats have been able to capture no more than 39 of the 99 legislative seats, despite capturing more votes. That is because the boundaries are drawn to be safe for the Republicans who drew up the maps. A rigged election is not the way our democracy is supposed to work. This ruling stands to impact more than just Wisconsin. Boundaries in 20 other states could also have to be drawn more fairly if the court declares the existing boundaries unconstitutional. But regardless of the outcome, a better system would be to keep the politicians out of the redistricting process, and establish a bipartisan commission to do the work. Because it is clear the current system is not fair to anyone.