Wisconsin Voters Head to Polls for Supreme Court Race

Closely watched election could shift balance of state's highest court

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:00am

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A photorealistic painting of the Wisconsin state capitol building, with the grand dome and columns bathed in warm, golden light from the side, casting long shadows across the scene. The building stands alone, with no people or other objects visible, creating a sense of solemnity and contemplation.The Wisconsin state capitol stands as a quiet symbol of the state's political landscape, with a high-stakes Supreme Court election set to reshape the court's ideological balance.Green Bay Today

Wisconsin voters will head to the polls on April 7 to decide a closely watched race for a 10-year term on the state's Supreme Court. Judge Chris Taylor and Judge Maria Lazar are the two candidates, with a Taylor victory potentially giving liberals a 5-2 advantage on the court, while a Lazar win would maintain the current 4-3 balance.

Why it matters

The Wisconsin Supreme Court race is seen as a key battleground, as the court's ideological makeup could have significant implications for issues like voting rights, abortion access, and other high-profile policy debates in the state.

The details

Voters will choose between Judge Chris Taylor, who is seen as the more liberal candidate, and Judge Maria Lazar, the more conservative option. A Taylor victory would shift the court's balance, while a Lazar win would keep the current 4-3 split. In addition to the Supreme Court race, there are nearly 75 school district referenda on the ballot across Wisconsin, reflecting the importance of education issues in local communities.

  • Polls are open on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 for the Wisconsin spring election.
  • The winner of the Supreme Court race will serve a 10-year term.

The players

Judge Chris Taylor

A liberal-leaning candidate running for a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Judge Maria Lazar

A conservative-leaning candidate running for a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

The state agency that oversees Wisconsin's 421 public school districts, many of which have referenda on the April 7 ballot.

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What’s next

The winner of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race will be sworn in for a 10-year term following the April 7 election.

The takeaway

The Wisconsin Supreme Court election is a high-stakes contest that could reshape the ideological balance of the state's highest court, with implications for a range of policy issues. Meanwhile, local school district referenda across Wisconsin reflect the continued importance of education in community-level politics.