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MADISON -A challenge to Wisconsin's congressional and legislative districts will be heard by an appeals judge nominated by President Donald Trump and two trial judges nominated by President Barack Obama.

The panel will decide whether to set a timeline for Republicans who control the Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to draw new districts based on population data released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau. Where the lines go can determine which political party has an upper hand in elections.

Few expect lawmakers and Evers to agree on maps, which would leave it to the courts to decide on them.

The case will be heard by Amy St. Eve, a judge on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago; Edmond Chang, a district judge in Chicago; and James Peterson, a district judge in Madison.

St. Eve was nominated to the appeals court by Trump. Chang and Peterson were nominated to the bench by Obama.

MORE: New census data offer first clues about how Wisconsin's congressional districts will change

The panel was assembled by Diane Sykes, the 7th Circuit's chief judge. Sykes was nominated to the appeals court by President George W. Bush and previously served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The lawsuit was filed by Democratic voters who want a deadline for lawmakers and Evers. Such a deadline would ensure the judges have time to draw maps in the event of a political stalemate, they argue.

The Democrats brought their suit against the state's bipartisan Elections Commission. Republican lawmakers this week filed a motion to intervene in the case.

Other lawsuits over the maps, including ones in state court, are possible. If that happens, the courts will have to work out which venue is the right one for challenges to the redistricting process.

ContactPatrick Marley at patrick.marley@jrn.com. Followhim on Twitter at @patrickdmarley.

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Wisconsin redistricting case will be heard by panel that includes two judges nominated by Obama, one by Trump - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel