The United States Supreme Court ordered the Wisconsin Supreme Court to reconsider its decision adopting state legislative maps proposed by Gov. Tony Evers. This is the latest decision in an ongoing series of lawsuits regarding redistricting in Wisconsin. The U.S. Supreme Court issued its order on March 23. The unsigned opinion was adopted on a […]
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Gov. Evers’ State Legislative Maps
Date Thu, Mar. 31, 2022 - 8:21pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Supreme Court Adopts Gov. Evers’ Redistricting Plan
Date Thu, Mar. 10, 2022 - 10:50pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has adopted a redistricting plan proposed by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D), a notable legal and political victory for Democrats. The court filed its decision on March 3. Justice Brian Hagedorn, a judicial conservative, wrote the opinion for a 4-3 majority including himself and the court’s three liberal justices. The majority […]
Assembly Adjourns After Final Floor Sessions: February 23 and 24
Date Wed, Mar. 2, 2022 - 4:29pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly stands adjourned following a week of floor votes on February 22, 23, and 24. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) has stated publicly that, barring any unusual circumstances, the Assembly will not convene again until the next legislative session begins in January 2023. Assembly Floor Calendar, February 23 The Assembly created a lengthy […]
Senate and Assembly Floor Sessions: February 22
Date Wed, Mar. 2, 2022 - 2:32pm By Hamilton
Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature met on February 22 for floor sessions to vote on bills and resolutions. Below, we review a few notable items that passed each house that day. Senate Floor Calendar, February 22 The Senate passed 64 bills and eight resolutions, including SB 520, which authorizes almost $42 million in general […]
Six Candidates on the Ballot for Milwaukee Mayor
Date Thu, Jan. 13, 2022 - 11:21pm By Hamilton
The City of Milwaukee is set to elect a new mayor for the first time since 2004. Former Mayor Tom Barrett resigned on December 22, 2021 and was sworn in as United States Ambassador to Luxembourg the following day. Because of the timing of Barrett’s resignation, the special election for mayor will coincide with the […]
Political Update: Assembly Democrats Choose New Leaders; DOA Secretary Brennan Leaving in January
Date Tue, Dec. 21, 2021 - 7:47pm By Hamilton
Democratic members of the Wisconsin Assembly selected new leaders at a caucus meeting on December 20. A majority of the caucus’ 38 members voted to elect Representatives Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) and Kalan Haywood (D-Milwaukee) as the Assembly’s new minority leader and assistant minority leader, respectively. Rep. Neubauer ran unopposed for the position, while Rep. Haywood […]
Wisconsin High Court Adopts “Least Change” Approach to Redistricting
Date Tue, Dec. 21, 2021 - 1:02pm By Hamilton
On November 30, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin issued its first major ruling related to this cycle of redistricting in Wisconsin. The Republican-led Legislature passed its proposed congressional and state legislative maps along party lines in early November. Governor Tony Evers (D) vetoed those maps in mid-November and has called for the state to adopt […]
Governor Evers Vetoes Redistricting Bills, Setting Up Court Battles
Date Fri, Nov. 19, 2021 - 8:52am By Hamilton
On November 18, Governor Tony Evers (D) vetoed Senate Bills (SB) 621 and 622, meaning that Wisconsin’s political maps for the next ten years will likely be set by the Wisconsin Supreme Court or a panel of federal judges. The governor announced the action in a press release and sent a veto message to the […]
Wisconsin Legislature to Vote on Redistricting Next Week
Date Fri, Nov. 5, 2021 - 9:02am By Hamilton
Next week, both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature are expected to meet and to take up Republican leaders’ proposals for legislative and congressional redistricting. The Senate is expected to be in session on Monday, November 8, while the Assembly is expected to meet the following Thursday, November 11. The Legislature’s current floor session ends on […]
Audit Bureau Releases 2020 Election Report
Date Fri, Nov. 5, 2021 - 7:49am By Hamilton
Last month, the Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) released its report on election policy in Wisconsin. LAB is a nonpartisan agency of the Wisconsin Legislature. In February, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee directed LAB to examine issues with election administration in Wisconsin in the context of the November 2020 general election. The report includes 18 recommendations […]