Evers says he will sign his maps if GOP passes them

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- There is a clear showdown looming over the future of Wisconsin's voting maps. 

It comes as Republicans are officially pushing back against experts hired by the Wisconsin's Supreme Court. 

Gov. Tony Evers clarified Thursday he is willing to settle the issue outside of court.  Thursday, Feb. 8 was the deadline for all parties in the maps lawsuit to file a response to last week's expert report. 

Those experts found the two Republican map submissions were too biased in the GOP's favor, calling them "partisan gerrymanders," while saying the four Democrat-friendly maps were constitutional and practically similar. 

In its response to the experts, both Legislative Republicans and the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, a conservative firm, argued for the court to strike the consultant's report.

Beyond that, Republicans argued if that won't happen, they should then be allowed "further discovery, including the cross-examination of the court's consultants." 

Republican lawmakers have also indicated they might, as a Hail Mary, pass the maps Governor Evers proposed. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said Wednesday passing Evers' maps unedited was a real possibility while at a legislative panel event held by the state counties association.

GOP lawmakers recently passed maps modeled after Evers' submission, but they made changes to protect some members from being drawn out of their current districts. 

Thursday afternoon, Evers was touring the Sixteenth Street Street Community Health Center on Milwaukee's south side. After the tour, CBS 58's A.J. Bayatpour asked Evers what if Republicans pass his maps unedited. 

"If somehow, Legislative Republicans actually pass your maps, not something edited, but it's actually your maps, would you sign them?" Bayatpour asked. 

"Yeah, I believed in them when we put it in, and I still believe in them now," Evers said. "The 'why not' is my skepticism it's gonna happen, period. But if it does, of course."

Marquette Research Fellow John Johnson told CBS 58 last week his analysis found of the four Democrat-friendly maps, the Evers submission is the best one for Republicans.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission has said it needs new maps in place by March 15 in order to have districts set for August primary elections in the redrawn Legislature.