Trial date set for April in Wisconsin redistricting case

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The trial date for a federal lawsuit challenging Republican-drawn legislative boundaries in Wisconsin has been set for April 2.

The case is back in Wisconsin after the U.S. Supreme Court this summer declined to take the case, saying Democrats who brought it lacked standing. Democrats filed a new lawsuit last month adding more voters as plaintiffs in response to concerns raised by the Supreme Court.

U.S. District Judge James Peterson on Tuesday set April 2 as the new trial date.

The original lawsuit was filed three years ago by Democrats who argued the Republicans who control the Legislature unconstitutionally drew political boundary lines to consolidate their power.

A three-judge panel ruled in favor of Democrats, but Attorney General Brad Schimel, a Republican, appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.