Wisconsin Supreme Court Assigns Two Three-Judge Panels for Congressional Map Challenges

In 5–2 orders, the court directed two three-judge circuit panels to hear separate lawsuits arguing Wisconsin’s congressional map unconstitutionally favors Republicans. The cases will proceed in Dane County Circuit Court, with decisions appealable to the state Supreme Court, creating a path that could reshape districts before the 2026 midterms. Panels include Judges David Conway, Patricia Baker and Michael Moran in one case, and Judges Julie Genovese, Mark Sanders and Emily Lonergan in the other. Justices Janet Protasiewicz and Susan Crawford declined Republican recusal requests, while conservative justices dissented and Justice Brian Hagedorn objected to the method of judge selection. Justice Annette Ziegler’s dissent drew scrutiny after Slate reported a misquotation of Moore v. Harper and noted a posted revision that altered the phrasing without changing the argument’s thrust.