Wisconsin redistricting: Judges saw evidence, reached obvious conclusion

The old 37th Assembly District. Mostly Jefferson County. 3 towns along eastern border of Dane county. Logical ‘cutouts’: Watertown, Johnson Creek.  Mostly straight-line borders.

The new 37th.  Pokes unto northeast Dane County.  Grabs Columbus from Columbia County, runs along the southwestern edge of Dodge County, drops into a single township of Jefferson County, faucet-style.  57 stretchy miles from east to west.   Forced Democrat Andy Jorgenson to find another district in which to run.

Judges to state: Redraw legislative districts before 2018 election.  (Madison.com, 1/28/2017)

Unfortunately, it's a 'half-assed' ruling, so don't expect much good to come out of it. But Friday’s order also rejected a key request from plaintiffs: that judges, rather than lawmakers and the governor, take charge of creating new district boundaries. “It is the prerogative of the state to determine the contours of a new map,” the three-judge panel ruled.

Unfortunately, the GOP majority in the Wisconsin state legislature can do pretty much what they want -- if we let them.  And any outcry just can't come from the shrinking blue areas of the state.

Related posts:
Giddy over voter ID, Leah Vukmir (R-Brookfield) is also a big fan of redistricting.  (5/17/2017)
UPDATE. Redistricting: What It's All About in Wisconsin.  (12/17/2015)
Van Wanggaard loves the fact that most of his redrawn Senate district is 'west of the I'.  (/14/2015)
Your legislative redistricting scorecard.  (8/19/2014)
John Lehman and the reconstituted 21st State Senate district.  (8/15/2014)
Wishful thinking on Sen. Schultz's part.  (2/4/2014)
What are the odds (the follow-up).  1/26/2014)
What Are the Odds That Governor Walker Calls for Redistricting Reform in his State of the State Address? (1/21/2014)
Editorial Boards Make Sport of Rep. Chad Weininger. (12/11/2013)
Much to their chagrin, Republicans can't make redistricting reform go away.  (12/10/2013)
Redistricting pipe dream.  (12/9/2013)
An unintended consequence of redistricting.  (11/12/2013)
Taxpayer money and political contributions.  (11/2/2013)
Iowa's nonpartisan approach to legislative redistricting.  (10/14/2013)
Against much evidence to the contrary, Sen Neil Kedzie (R-Elklhorn) spouts the company line.  (9/20/2013)
Wisconsin Democratic legislators who have yet to sign on as co-sponsors of Senate Bill 163 Assembly Bill 185 (Redistricting Reform) -- UPDATED.  (9/17/2013) 
Common Cause in Wisconsin calling out Sen. Lazich and Rep. August.  (8/19/2013) 
Undoubtedly, Tyler August is just following orders.  (8/12/2013)
The Redistricting Weasels Sing a Chorus of "Because I said so!!"  (5/16/2013)
Common Cause in Wisconsin asks, "Do your state legislators support non-partisan redistricting reform?"  (5/14/2013)