THE U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could impact how legislative districts are drawn in Oklahoma and elsewhere. The case, in which plaintiffs argue Wisconsin legislative districts were illegally gerrymandered to elect Republicans, could have wide-ranging and unintended consequences.

Ironically, one possible outcome is that the courts could order the drawing of contorted districts similar to plans previously struck down as gerrymanders.

In a nutshell, the plaintiffs argue illegal gerrymandering has occurred if the share of legislative seats won by one party exceeds that party's share of the statewide vote, citing an “efficiency gap” model. Thus, they see illegal districts in Wisconsin because Democrats received 51.4 percent of the statewide vote in 2012, but won just 39 of 99 state Assembly seats.

A split lower court accepted that argument, and the issue now goes to the Supreme Court on appeal.