Wisconsin's Republican-led Legislature passes Tony Evers drawn election maps, putting decision in governor's hands

MADISON - The Republican-controlled state Legislature passed a new plan Tuesday to redraw the state's legislative boundaries — a map drawn by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who has already promised to sign it into law.

GOP lawmakers put forward Evers' map this week in response to a December order by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to redraw the state's legislative districts, arguing the current Republican-drawn maps are unconstitutional and unfairly give GOP lawmakers an advantage.

It was the second time in a month's time GOP leaders have put forward a map as the court considers submissions from various groups, including plans that would give Democrats a greater chance of holding a majority in the state Senate.

Five Senate Republicans voted against the plan and just two Democrats − one in each house -- voted for the plan. State Sen. Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit, argued the plan should be reviewed further by a Senate committee. He speculated it helped Assembly Speaker Robin Vos in a recall effort against him because the bill does not implement the map until fall.

More: Gilbert: Are Wisconsin's election maps 'rigged'? Here are the reasons the answer is yes

More: In a 50/50 Wisconsin electorate, what does a 'neutral' election map look like?

Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Republican-led Legislature passes Tony Evers' election maps