You’d think a "nonpartisan" spring election wouldn't feel like a high-stakes heavyweight title fight, but that’s exactly where we are. In Wisconsin, the courts have basically become the final word on everything from where you vote to what you can do with your own body. Honestly, the money being thrown at these races is mind-numbing. We’re talking over $100 million spent on the 2025 contest alone—shattering every previous record in the country.
If you are looking for the next wisconsin supreme court race date, circle April 7, 2026 on your calendar.
That’s the big one. While we just came off a massive 2025 cycle where Susan Crawford beat Brad Schimel to keep a liberal 4-3 majority, the 2026 race is already heating up because Justice Rebecca Bradley is stepping down. She isn't seeking another term, which means we have a wide-open seat.
The Timeline You Actually Need to Know
Most people forget that these spring races have a "pre-game" primary. Usually, that happens in February. But for 2026, things are looking a bit different. Since only two candidates filed by the January 6, 2026 deadline, the primary that was supposed to happen on February 17 has been scrapped. Basically, we’re skipping the warm-ups and going straight to the main event in April.
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Here is how the 2026 schedule looks:
- January 6, 2026: This was the deadline for candidates to turn in their paperwork.
- February 17, 2026: The primary date (canceled because only two people are running).
- March 18, 2026: The last day you can register to vote online or by mail.
- April 3, 2026: The deadline to request an absentee ballot if you aren't stuck at home or in the military.
- April 7, 2026: The wisconsin supreme court race date. Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. sharp.
The winners of these races don't just jump onto the bench the next morning. They get sworn in on August 1st for a ten-year term. Ten years. That is a long time to have a say in state law, which is why these dates feel so heavy.
Who Is Actually on the Ballot?
Since the primary was canceled, the matchup is already set. It's Maria Lazar versus Chris Taylor.
Maria Lazar is a judge on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. She’s generally seen as the conservative pick, effectively trying to hold the seat for that side of the aisle after Rebecca Bradley's departure. On the other side, you’ve got Chris Taylor. She’s also an Appeals Court judge but comes with a background as a former Democratic state lawmaker and a policy director for Planned Parenthood.
It’s a classic Wisconsin showdown. One candidate is backed by the groups that usually support Republicans—think business interests and police unions—while the other has the backing of labor unions and reproductive rights advocates. Even though there isn't a "D" or an "R" next to their names, everyone knows the score.
Why Does This Keep Happening Every Year?
Wisconsin is sort of unique (and maybe a little exhausted) because it feels like we are constantly voting for judges. Between 2023 and 2030, there is a Supreme Court seat up for grabs almost every single year.
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In 2023, Janet Protasiewicz won a seat that flipped the court's control to a liberal majority for the first time in fifteen years. In 2025, Susan Crawford won her seat by about 10 percentage points (55% to 44.9%), which protected that majority. Now, in 2026, the stakes are about whether that gap widens or if the conservatives can claw back a seat to set up a 2027 flip.
If you missed the 2025 wisconsin supreme court race date, you missed a 1.3 million to 1.06 million vote split. Turnout was over 50%, which is insane for a spring election. Usually, these "off-year" races are sleepy affairs, but not anymore. People have realized that the state legislature might pass laws, but the Supreme Court decides if those laws actually stand.
Practical Steps for April 7, 2026
Don't wait until the week before to figure out if you're registered. Wisconsin allows "Same Day Registration," which is great, but it makes for long lines at the polls. If you want to avoid the chaos, go to the MyVote WI website. You can check your status, see what’s on your specific ballot, and find your polling place in about two minutes.
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If you’re planning to vote by mail, get that request in by mid-March. The official deadline is April 3rd, but the mail in Wisconsin isn't always fast enough to get your ballot to you and back to the clerk by 8:00 p.m. on election night.
Make sure you have a valid photo ID. This is a big one that trips people up. A Wisconsin driver’s license, a passport, or a specific military ID usually works. If your license is expired, check the dates; it can only be expired since the last general election (November 5, 2024) to still be valid for voting.
Next Steps for You:
- Verify your registration at MyVote.wi.gov before the March 18 online deadline.
- If you need an absentee ballot, request it by March 17 to ensure enough turnaround time for the postal service.
- Locate your specific polling place, as many locations shift between the fall and spring election cycles.