University of Wisconsin-Madison political scientist Barry Burden said legislative departures are often higher in redistricting years, when the Legislature redraws lawmakers’ district lines to reflect population changes. This year’s maps were delayed as Democrats and Republicans fought over them in court. The state Supreme Court didn’t finalize the maps until earlier this month on the day candidates could pull nomination papers. The districts remained largely unchanged but Burden said the delay likely made it difficult for incumbents to plan.
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