Election Law and Redistricting Practice Secures Major Victories in Wisconsin, New York
News
December 22, 2023
Jenner & Block’s Election Law and Redistricting Practice secured two major victories in the highest courts of New York and Wisconsin this month. In both matters, judges ordered that new electoral maps be drawn in time for the 2024 elections.
On December 22 in Wisconsin, the state Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that at least 50 of the 99 state Assembly districts and 20 of the 33 state Senate districts violate a mandate in the Wisconsin Constitution because the districts are not contiguous.
Justice Jill Karofsky wrote for the majority saying, “We hold that the contiguity requirements…mean what they say: Wisconsin’s state legislative districts must be composed of physically adjoining territory. The constitutional text and our precedent support this common-sense interpretation of contiguity.”
Partner Sam Hirsch argued on behalf of Atkinson intervenor-petitioners and said, “We’re gratified that the court agreed that the Senate and Assembly maps violate the Wisconsin Constitution. We look forward to working through the remedial process to ensure that Wisconsinites can have fair representation in the state legislature for the first time in more than a decade.” His argument is featured in a podcast called Strict Scrutiny at 1:04:57.
In addition to Sam, the Wisconsin team includes Associates Liz Deutsch, Arjun Ramamurti, Sophia Cai, Sophia Montgomery, and Maria LaBella, Senior Paralegal Cheryl Olson, and Paralegal Adam Weidman.
In New York, the Court of Appeals sided with three clients who belong to the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) and ruled that the IRC should fulfil its constitutionally mandated duty. In its opinion on December 12, the four-judge majority held that the IRC should submit to the legislature a new congressional redistricting plan by February 28, 2024.
Partner Jessie Amunson argued the case on behalf of IRC Chairperson Ken Jenkins and Commissioners Frazier and Cuevas-Molina. In a statement, she said: “This decision aligns with the wishes of New Yorkers who voted almost 10 years ago for the specific mechanism to provide fair maps: the Independent Redistricting Commission. We are delighted the IRC can now fulfill their constitutionally mandated role of presenting the legislature with proposed congressional districts before the next election cycle.”
In affirming the Third Department’s decision, Judge Wilson wrote that the state’s Constitution explicitly places a limitation on court-created maps. “The Constitution clearly establishes the IRC process as predominant over court-drawn districts,” he explained.
In addition to Jessie, the New York team included Partners Sam Hirsch and Jake Alderdice, Associate Allison Douglis, Manager of Docketing Services Na'eem Conway, Senior Paralegal Cheryl Olson, and Legal Assistant Sheree Anyiam.
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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News
December 22, 2023
Jenner & Block’s Election Law and Redistricting Practice secured two major victories in the highest courts of New York and Wisconsin this month. In both matters, judges ordered that new electoral maps be drawn in time for the 2024 elections.
On December 22 in Wisconsin, the state Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that at least 50 of the 99 state Assembly districts and 20 of the 33 state Senate districts violate a mandate in the Wisconsin Constitution because the districts are not contiguous.
Justice Jill Karofsky wrote for the majority saying, “We hold that the contiguity requirements…mean what they say: Wisconsin’s state legislative districts must be composed of physically adjoining territory. The constitutional text and our precedent support this common-sense interpretation of contiguity.”
Partner Sam Hirsch argued on behalf of Atkinson intervenor-petitioners and said, “We’re gratified that the court agreed that the Senate and Assembly maps violate the Wisconsin Constitution. We look forward to working through the remedial process to ensure that Wisconsinites can have fair representation in the state legislature for the first time in more than a decade.” His argument is featured in a podcast called Strict Scrutiny at 1:04:57.
In addition to Sam, the Wisconsin team includes Associates Liz Deutsch, Arjun Ramamurti, Sophia Cai, Sophia Montgomery, and Maria LaBella, Senior Paralegal Cheryl Olson, and Paralegal Adam Weidman.
In New York, the Court of Appeals sided with three clients who belong to the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) and ruled that the IRC should fulfil its constitutionally mandated duty. In its opinion on December 12, the four-judge majority held that the IRC should submit to the legislature a new congressional redistricting plan by February 28, 2024.
Partner Jessie Amunson argued the case on behalf of IRC Chairperson Ken Jenkins and Commissioners Frazier and Cuevas-Molina. In a statement, she said: “This decision aligns with the wishes of New Yorkers who voted almost 10 years ago for the specific mechanism to provide fair maps: the Independent Redistricting Commission. We are delighted the IRC can now fulfill their constitutionally mandated role of presenting the legislature with proposed congressional districts before the next election cycle.”
In affirming the Third Department’s decision, Judge Wilson wrote that the state’s Constitution explicitly places a limitation on court-created maps. “The Constitution clearly establishes the IRC process as predominant over court-drawn districts,” he explained.
In addition to Jessie, the New York team included Partners Sam Hirsch and Jake Alderdice, Associate Allison Douglis, Manager of Docketing Services Na'eem Conway, Senior Paralegal Cheryl Olson, and Legal Assistant Sheree Anyiam.
Related Attorneys
Related Capabilities
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
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