Liberals are aiming to strengthen their hold on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in a closely watched Tuesday election that could shape the direction of key legal battles in one of the nation’s most important swing states.
Voters are choosing between liberal candidate Chris Taylor, a state appeals court judge and former Democratic lawmaker, and conservative candidate Maria Lazar, also an appeals court judge, to replace retiring conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley.
Liberals currently hold a narrow 4–3 majority on the court. A victory by Taylor would expand that margin to 5–2, potentially securing the ideological balance of the court through at least 2030 and strengthening liberal influence over future rulings on major policy disputes.
Although Wisconsin Supreme Court elections are officially nonpartisan, the race has drawn strong backing from both Democratic-aligned and Republican-aligned groups because of its potential impact on issues such as abortion rights, voting rules, union policies, and congressional redistricting.
Legal observers say the outcome could shape how the court handles challenges related to election procedures ahead of future national contests, including disputes that may arise during the 2028 presidential election cycle.
Despite the stakes, the race has attracted less national spending and public attention than recent Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, which previously set fundraising records. Early voting turnout has also been lower than in comparable contests in prior years.
Still, analysts emphasize that control of the court remains critically important in Wisconsin, a battleground state where judicial decisions frequently influence election administration, legislative maps, and major policy questions.
Polls closed Tuesday evening, with the result expected to determine whether liberals can solidify their majority or conservatives retain a narrower path to influence on the state’s highest court.
