Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Has Huge State & National Implications

Brian Beihl

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 22, 2023

Photo: PBS Wisconsin

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – It’s primary election day in Wisconsin. What to know about the 2023 Supreme Court race and the expected voter turnout.
Wisconsin PBS – Wisconsin’s 2023 Supreme Court candidates and Brian Hagedorn
Wisconsin PBS – Wisconsin’s Assembly maps are more skewed than ever — what happens in 2023?
Wisconsin Public Radio – Wisconsin Supreme Court chooses maps drawn by Republicans in new redistricting decision
WKOW – GOP WEC commissioner says he won’t resign after boasting about lower voter turnout
– Retiring Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Roggensack endorses Waukesha Judge Jennifer Dorow

MyVoteWI – Election Day Voting Guidelines

Today’s Script:  (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

Wisconsin has been in the news a lot lately:  Gerrymandering, a misguided $2 million dollar review of  2020 election results, and admissions of racial voter suppression efforts in Milwaukee.  But no story is more important than its state supreme election with huge state and national implications.

February 21st, voters go to the polls for a statewide primary to replace a retiring conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice.  The state’s high court currently has a 4-3 conservative majority, and two conservatives and two liberals are vying for the seat.  The top two winners in the primary, regardless of party affiliation, go forward to the April 4th general election.  

In addition to the state’s abortion laws and other hot-button issues, gerrymandering is also on the ballot.  While Democratic Governor Tony Evers won re-election in November by a 51%-48% margin, two thirds of all legislative seats went to Republicans due to extreme manipulations by the legislature of House & Senate voting districts.   The current state’s conservative high court endorsed those gerrymandered maps last April.   

The election could impact national politics as well.  Should a more liberal court order fair Congressional maps in Wisconsin, it could shift 2024 control of the U.S. House of Representatives, currently a razor-thin margin.  

We have links, and information on voting in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.   For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.