Less than two hours after a panel of federal judges declared Michigan’s districts were gerrymandered and ordered them redrawn for the 2020 election, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey announced the Senate would appeal to the nation’s highest court.

“The Senate is reviewing the details of the ruling and will file an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. We will prepare to comply with this most recent ruling while we await the outcome of the appeal,” said Shirkey, R-Clark Lake.

The ruling came in the case League of Women Voters v. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, in which the League and Democrats alleged the state’s last redistricting process gave an unfair advantage to Republicans and violated voters’ Constitutional rights.

The court agreed, finding 34 districts violate the first amendment rights of Michiganders and 27 also violate the Fourteenth amendment.

Under the order issued by U.S. Circuit Judges Eric Clay and Denise Hood and U.S. District Judge Gordon Quist, lawmakers have until Aug. 1, 2019 to redraw Michigan’s Congressional and legislative political districts in a way the court deems constitutionally acceptable, otherwise the court will draw lines for them.

The Michigan Republican Party supports the appeal.

“The Michigan Republican Party disagrees with the Federal court’s decision regarding redistricting, and will support an appeal to uphold the will of Michigan voters,” Chairman Laura Cox said in a statement.

Democrats, however, celebrated the court’s ruling Thursday.

“Michiganders have known for years that our current legislative districts silenced their voices at the ballot box, which is why Democrats have fought tirelessly to end gerrymandering,” said House Democratic Leader Christine Greig, D-Farmington Hills.

"The Court’s opinion is damning. Its order is clear. House Democrats stand ready to work with our Republican colleagues to ensure that this partisan gerrymander is remedied and that new districts are fairly and constitutionally drawn.”

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who moved to settle in the case but saw that agreement scuttled earlier this year, said she respected the court’s decision.

“The court’s ruling confirms that these Michigan state House and Senate and U.S. congressional districts are unconstitutional. I respect that decision, as should we all," Benson said.

"As the state’s chief election officer, I’m committed to working with the Legislature, citizens and the court to ensure the new districts comply with our U.S. Constitution.”

The Supreme Court can choose whether or not to take up appeals. The court has recently considered gerrymandering cases from Wisconsin, North Carolina and Maryland.