The April 7 election is approaching, but for a lot of Wisconsinites–especially college students–what appears on the ballot is entirely unfamiliar. Even among voters who know what they’ll see on Tuesday, April 7, many still haven’t decided whose bubble they’ll fill in. In fact, a recent Marquette Law School Poll found that 53% of Wisconsin voters are still undecided.
A recurring problem voters seem to face in state elections is a lack of information about the positions that appear on the ballot. So, what should La Crosse voters prepare to see when casting their vote? What positions are up for election–-and what do they actually do?
Justice of the Supreme Court
Wisconsin is one of 38 states that elects state Supreme Court justices. Moreover, Wisconsin Supreme Court races are nonpartisan, meaning there are no party labels that appear next to candidate names. This requires voters to do some sort of research ahead of casting their ballot to ensure they know what each candidate stands for.
Despite being labeled as nonpartisan, justices are often endorsed by political parties and issue-focused groups. These endorsements often come along with financial support, helping the candidates further their campaigns. Last year, the race between Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford for a seat on the court totaled nearly $100 million in spending, setting a record for the most expensive state Supreme Court race in our nation’s history. Yet, this spring’s Supreme Court race hasn’t been bringing in the same funding, leaving many detached and unaware of who is running for the seat.
Wisconsin Supreme Court seats are up for election or reelection every 10 years. However, in recent years there has been a state Supreme Court election nearly every year, and it appears that this trend will continue. Despite justices serving 10-year terms, there are seven seats on the court, and their terms are each staggered. Due to this staggered schedule–and occasional retirements–Wisconsin often ends up having a Supreme Court election nearly every spring. Much like in previous years, the balance of the court is in the hands of Wisconsinites. Currently, the court has a liberal majority, with four of the seven justices being considered more liberal. Although, depending on who wins this race in the coming weeks, the strength of the court’s liberal majority could change.
Chris Taylor and Maria Lazar are the two judges campaigning for the seat on the state supreme court. There, they’d review decisions from lower courts, interpret state law and the Wisconsin Constitution and resolve any disputes that affect the entirety of Wisconsin. The state Supreme Court also has administrative authority over the state judicial system, setting rules for court procedures and overseeing the conduct of judges.
Chris Taylor has been leading in the polls recently. Taylor has been endorsed by other left leaning judges on the court, as well as notable union groups, including Planned Parenthood, Wisconsin Conservation Voters and others.
Lazar won the endorsement of the three conservative justices on the state court, including Annette Ziegler, who will be retiring upon the election. Additionally, she has been endorsed by the Milwaukee Police Association, Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police and a number of sheriffs throughout the state.
Court of Appeals Judge
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals has 16 judges serving across the four districts into which it is divided. La Crosse County falls into District IV alongside Adams, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Lafayette, Marquette, Monroe, Portage, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Waupaca, Waushara and Wood counties. District IV has five judges, each serving six-year terms.
Judges serving on the Court of Appeals review the decisions of the circuit courts, providing a person with the opportunity to appeal a decision made by a circuit court, and the appeals court will review the case to determine whether the circuit court’s decision was accurate.
Current Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates, Chris Taylor and Maria Lazar, have each previously served on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.
Judge Rachel A. Graham, the incumbent judge for District IV of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, is running for reelection to serve another six-year term. Judge Graham was previously appointed by Governor Tony Evers after former judge, Gary Sherman, retired. She later won election to the seat unopposed in 2020 and is now running for reelection unopposed as her six-year term expires in 2026.
La Crosse County Supervisor
Throughout La Crosse, positions on the La Crosse County Board of Supervisors are up for election. Together, the county board acts like the legislative branch of county government. County supervisors help decide county budgets, taxes, infrastructure, zoning, local ordinances and much more. Many county board members also serve on committees such as public works, judiciary or health services.
In La Crosse County, the board has 30 supervisors, each representing different districts in the county. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus falls into District 5, where Emily Anderson, a UWL student, is running unopposed for reelection. To find out what ward you are in and what is on your ballot, check myvote.wi.gov.
La Crosse Municipal Judge
Municipal courts in Wisconsin are separate from county and circuit courts and primarily handle city ordinance violations and certain minor criminal matters. For example, the La Crosse Municipal Judge would hear cases related to traffic tickets, building code violations and noise complaints.
The municipal court is the first level of court for city ordinance cases. Appeals from the municipal court go to the circuit court if someone decides to challenge the ruling.
Jessica Skemp is running unopposed for La Crosse Municipal Judge and currently serves as an Assistant District Attorney in La Crosse.
La Crosse School District School Board Member
A school board is an elected group of people responsible for overseeing local public school districts. School board members help make decisions about attendance policies, curriculum, budgets, superintendent evaluation, school funded programs and transportation like bussing.
In the School District of La Crosse, members of the school board are elected for three-year terms and can run for reelection when their term expires.
There are six candidates running for a position on the La Crosse School District School Board. Voters can cast their vote for up to three candidates.
Check out the WIZM Q&A with the candidates for school board for more information.
Why your vote matters
Every vote shapes the future of your community, especially in local elections like the one on April 7. For some college students, this election may feel as though it doesn’t impact them, as many do not live in La Crosse full time, but these elections can affect the cost of off-campus housing, city services like roads and streetlights and funding for local schools and universities.
Be sure to cast your vote in the spring election. Myvote.wi.gov allows you to request an absentee ballot, find your polling place and even register to vote. If you’re registering with your La Crosse address, you must provide a proof of residency paper, which can be found on WINGS, since your address will not match the one on your state-issued driver’s license. If you have not yet registered with your La Crosse address, you can do so at the polls on election day or at the polls during early voting at the La Crosse City Hall.
