Wisconsin court sends map cases to panels

The Wisconsin Supreme Court voted 5-2 to send two challenges to the state’s congressional maps to separate three-judge panels, siding with plaintiffs who argue the 2011 districts unconstitutionally favor Republicans. Conservative Justice Brian Hagedorn joined the majority but criticized the court for handpicking panelists; dissenting conservatives called the move partisan. The court addressed only procedure, not the merits. One case comes from a bipartisan business coalition, the other from voters represented by the Elias Law Group. Republicans hold six of eight U.S. House seats, and two liberal justices declined to recuse despite GOP objections over campaign donations.