As Wisconsin prepares for its spring election, voters are set to make impactful decisions on various nonpartisan races, including a significant state Supreme Court election and a historic mayoral race in Waukesha. The outcomes could shape the political landscape in the state in the coming years.
Among the key races is the state Supreme Court election, where Appeals Court judges Chris Taylor and Maria Lazar compete to succeed retiring Justice Rebecca Bradley. Taylor, a former Democratic state representative, has backing from the court’s liberal justices. Lazar, with a background as an assistant state attorney general under Republican Gov. Scott Walker, enjoys the endorsement of conservative Justice Annette Ziegler, who announced her retirement plans for 2027.
Although this year’s race hasn’t captured as much attention as past elections, the new justice will join a court that could be pivotal in political disputes, especially those concerning the 2028 presidential election or future congressional redistricting. Justices serve 10-year terms, potentially influencing key issues for a decade.
Political Dynamics
Liberal justices seek their fourth consecutive victory in Supreme Court races, having secured a 4-3 majority for the first time in 15 years when Justice Janet Protasiewicz claimed a seat in 2023. Justice Susan Crawford later maintained this majority in 2025 despite significant financial backing for a conservative opponent.
Electoral outcomes in Wisconsin often hinge on urban-rural divides, with Democrats excelling in populous areas like Milwaukee and Dane counties, and Republicans performing strongly in rural regions. The “WOW” counties—Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington—are crucial for Republican success, balancing Democratic strength in cities.
In the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris won Milwaukee County with 68% and Dane County with 75%, but narrowly lost statewide. Similarly, Protasiewicz and Crawford achieved significant victories in these counties during their Supreme Court bids, also capturing swing counties like Brown County, a Trump stronghold.
Waukesha Mayoral Race
In Waukesha, a rare open-seat mayoral race features Common Council President Alicia Halvensleben and State Rep. Scott Allen vying to replace outgoing Mayor Shawn Reilly. Allen, a staunch conservative, faces Halvensleben, the favored candidate of the Waukesha County Democratic Party. Reilly, an independent who distanced himself from the Republican Party post-January 6, supports Halvensleben.
Recounts in Wisconsin are not automatic but can be requested if the victory margin is under one percent. The Associated Press will call races only when a trailing candidate has no viable path to victory, continuing to monitor any significant post-election developments.
Election Details
Polls in Wisconsin close at 8 p.m. local time (9 p.m. ET). The AP will declare winners in the state Supreme Court and Waukesha mayoral races. With approximately 3.6 million active registered voters, Wisconsin maintains high voter engagement, as evidenced by the nearly 2.4 million votes cast in the 2025 spring election.
Early voting is significant, with about 29% casting ballots before election day in previous elections. As of the most recent count, nearly 281,000 early votes have already been submitted.
In past elections, vote counting has been efficient, with initial results emerging within minutes of polls closing. Counties release early and absentee votes at varying times, contributing to the rapid reporting of outcomes.
Stay updated with ongoing election coverage at AP’s 2026 election page.
