Federal judges block Wisconsin GOP's redistricting maps

(AP) — Federal judges struck down Wisconsin's Republican-drawn legislative districts as unconstitutional on Monday, marking a victory for minority Democrats that could force the Legislature to redraw the maps.

The judges didn't order any immediate changes to district boundaries, instead saying they would accept ideas from state attorneys and the group of voters who challenged the districts on what to do next within the next 30 days.

Assembly Republicans didn't lose a seat and defeated a Democratic incumbent in this month's elections to gain their largest majority in the chamber since 1957.

Senate Republicans also didn't lose a single seat and defeated a Democratic incumbent to gain their largest majority since 1971.

Attorneys for the state said the redrawn districts simply reflected that Wisconsin was trending Republican, and argued there is no legal way to measure gerrymandering — the process of dividing districts to gain an unfair advantage.

Griesbach was appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, Ripple by Republican President Ronald Reagan and Crabb by Democratic President Jimmy Carter.