Gov. Evers Signs New Legislative Maps Into Law

On February 19, Gov. Evers (D) signed into law his own redistricting proposal (now 2023 Wisconsin Act 94) after the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature adopted it. See the governor’s press release and prepared remarks on the bill signing and several news articles. Late last year, the liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that the […]

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Wisconsin Supreme Court Finds State Legislative Maps Unconstitutional, Orders New Maps for 2024

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that the state legislative maps adopted by the same court in April 2022 are unconstitutional. The court issued a decision in Clarke v. WEC on December 22, 2023. The justices of the court voted 4-3 along ideological lines to find that the current maps are unconstitutional and to order […]

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Wisconsin Supreme Court Accepts Redistricting Case; Protasiewicz Will Not Recuse

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has accepted a lawsuit challenging the legality of Wisconsin’s state legislative maps. As we covered here, two petitions for original action were filed in August, each asking the supreme court to bypass the typical trial and appellate court process and rule that Wisconsin’s current state legislative maps are unconstitutional. On October […]

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Fall 2023 Floor Period: Taxes, Child Care, and Redistricting Emerge as Key Issues

Between the Republican-led Wisconsin Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers (D), both sides were dissatisfied with aspects of the 2023-25 state budget and are seeking legislation to address those issues. After a quiet summer following passage of the budget, legislators resumed regular committee and floor activities in early September. The Assembly and Senate are each expected […]

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Protasiewicz Joins Wisconsin Supreme Court as New Majority Asserts Control; Redistricting Lawsuits Filed

Janet Protasiewicz was sworn in as a justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court on August 1, replacing Justice Patience Roggensack, who did not seek reelection after serving two ten-year terms, including a stint as chief justice from 2015 to 2021. Justice Protasiewicz, previously a judge in Milwaukee County, defeated former Justice Dan Kelly in the […]

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2023 Wisconsin Spring Election Results

Wisconsin held its 2023 spring general election on April 4. Spring elections in Wisconsin are officially nonpartisan and include offices such as judges, mayors, local legislative bodies, and school boards. Several notable races and referenda were on the ballot this year. Wisconsin Supreme Court In the race for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme […]

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Supreme Court Candidates Kelly, Protasiewicz Win Primary

In Wisconsin’s spring primary, held February 21, four candidates were on the ballot for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Former Justice Daniel Kelly, a judicial conservative, and Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz, a judicial liberal, were the top two vote-getters. They will face off in the general election on April 4. Over […]

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Wisconsin Supreme Court Race: Endorsements and Fundraising

Currently, judicial conservatives enjoy a 4-3 majority on Wisconsin’s elected supreme court. Justice Patience Roggensack, a judicial conservative, is not seeking reelection, creating a vacancy which will decide control of the court. Four candidates are facing off in the primary election on February 21. Early voting for the primary started February 7. The top two […]

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Supreme Court Candidates Discuss Philosophy and Key Cases at WisPolitics Forum

Currently, judicial conservatives enjoy a 4-3 majority on Wisconsin’s elected supreme court. Justice Patience Roggensack, a judicial conservative, is not seeking reelection, creating a vacancy which will decide control of the court. The race will be hotly contested, attracting a significant amount of attention. The four candidates for the open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme […]

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Spring Election Update: Republican Primary in SD 8; Supreme and Appellate Court Races

A total of four candidates will compete in a special election for the 8th Senate District, which was triggered by eight-term Sen. Alberta Darling’s (R-River Hills) retirement. The general election will take place on April 4, coinciding with Wisconsin’s 2023 spring election, which also features a statewide supreme court race and many nonpartisan and local elective […]

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