MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul announced a move asking a federal court to allow Gov. Evers to intervene in a lawsuit filed last month that asks a federal court to draw the state's next set of electoral maps.

The governor's motion, which was announced Monday, Sept. 13, was filed by Kaul and the Wisconsin Department of Justice. The motion contends Wisconsin law recognizes a joint role for both the governor and the Legislature in the redistricting process, and therefore that the governor should have the opportunity to provide input in the litigation, officials say.

“I never thought I would be spending a lot of my time as governor protecting our democracy, but it’s clear that with continued attacks on the right to vote, misinformation around the 2020 election, and efforts to gerrymander our maps, this work has never been more important,” said Gov. Evers. “I will continue to fight every day to protect the right of every eligible voter to cast their ballot, to ensure we have fair, free, and secure elections, and to have fair maps in Wisconsin.”

Officials say the motion notes the work of the People's Maps Commission, which is a nonpartisan redistricting commission created by Gov. Evers in 2020. The commission was tasked with drawing fair, impartial maps based on the 2020 U.S. Census to be presented to the Legislature for their consideration and approval. 

“Gerrymandering stifles the voice of the people in order to serve politicians’ self-interest. We need to put an end to this practice that undermines our democracy,” said Attorney General Kaul, who is representing the governor in the case.

The Republican-led Wisconsin State Legislature has already been allowed to intervene and have requested that the court dismiss the lawsuit outright, officials say. Last December and January, Republican leaders in the Legislature signed contracts worth more than $1 million with private law firms to help draft and defend the new maps, according to a news release.