Wisconsin's non-partisan elections are underway: What voters need to know in advance

Spring 2026: Wisconsin’s Non-Partisan Elections Are Underway

Election season has arrived in Wisconsin. The upcoming spring elections focus on the local positions that directly impact our daily lives: county and municipal offices, school boards, and judiciary.

Because these are non-partisan races, candidates will not run as a member of either party. As a result there will be no R or D designation next to their names on the ballot. Voters are encouraged to research individual platforms and judicial philosophies before heading to the polls. A good source of candidate information can be found at The League of Women Voters website as the election draws closer.

Your ballot may also have local referendum questions regarding school funding or municipal projects.  The Menasha and Appleton school districts will have an operational referendum on the April ballot. These measures often determine local tax rates and infrastructure priorities, making them just as vital as the names at the top of the ticket.

Races will only require a primary election (on Feb. 17) if more than two candidates are running for a single seat. The top two vote-getters will vie in the spring general election on April 7.

The Headliner: Wisconsin Supreme Court

The only statewide race this spring is for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Since there are only two declared candidates, this race will skip the February primary and appear only on the April 7 general election ballot.

Here is a look at the two candidates vying for the 10-year term.

Chris Taylor is the liberal candidate and currently serves as a judge on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, based in Madison.  Previously, she was a judge on the Dane County Circuit Court.  Taylor served in the state Assembly for almost a decade.  Prior to her legislative work, she was an attorney and policy director for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.

Maria Lazar, the conservative candidate, is also a Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge. She previously served for seven years as a Wisconsin circuit court judge in Waukesha County.  Lazar was an assistant attorney general during the Scott Walker administration, where she litigated lawsuits involving redistricting and the “budget repair bill.”

The 10-year terms of Supreme Court justices are staggered so that no more than one justice is elected per year.  Here is a list of the current Supreme Court justices and when their terms end:

Rebecca Bradley, conservative, term ends 2026

Annette Ziegler, conservative, term ends 2027

Rebecca Dallet, liberal, term ends 2028

Brian Hagedorn, conservative, term ends 2029

Chief Justice Jill Karofsky, liberal, term ends 2030

Janet Protasiewicz, liberal, term ends 2033

Susan Crawford, liberal, term ends 2035

The Basics: Information for voters

To be eligible to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, be registered (proof of residency required), and present an acceptable photo ID when voting. You can check your registration status, see a sample ballot, and find your polling place at MyVote.wi.gov.

All voters must be registered. Acceptable proof of residency is required to register.  Check or update your registration information at myvote.wi.gov. Wisconsin voters can register on election day at the polls, but it is recommended to register at least 2 weeks before the election, either online or at the clerk’s office.

If you prefer to vote by mail, you may request an absentee ballot starting Jan. 1. Unless you have filed for a disability, you must request your absentee ballot each year at myvote.wi.gov.

Early in-person voting hours are available two weeks prior to an election. Registered voters must present an acceptable photo ID to vote.  Check your local municipality for days and times.

If you prefer to vote on Election Day, registered voters must present an acceptable photo ID to vote. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.