This landmark case could end gerrymandering in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments in a landmark case challenging heavily gerrymandered state legislative districts.

Democrats have won 14 of the past 17 statewide elections in Wisconsin , but Republicans ’ seemingly voter-proof majorities in the legislature have allowed them to thwart the will of a majority of the state’s voters.

The decision could lead to fairer maps in 2024 , which voting rights activists say will go a long way toward restoring representative democracy.

Wisconsin Republicans tried to prevent Judge Protasiewicz from hearing the case after her election in April .

They filed a motion demanding she step aside because she called the maps “rigged” and accepted $10 million in campaign funds from the Wisconsin Democratic Party .

If she refused to recuse herself, Republican leaders threatened to remove her from office.

The threat sparked a furious public backlash, even from some Republicans .

The GOP -drawn maps took effect in 2011 , even when Democrats won 53 percent of the statewide vote, they’ve never held more than 39 percent of seats in the state assembly.

Republicans , in contrast, have never fallen below 60 percent .

“The maps should reflect how the voters voted,” Gaber said Tuesday .