Election 101: If you’ve tuned out until now, here’s what to know for April 1

Wisconsin goes to the polls to decide control of the state Supreme Court and determine who’s in charge of schools—plus a constitutional referendum, school referendums, and local offices.

Only days remain until Wisconsin voters are asked to step up and decide important races that will have significant consequences in a range of areas—from reproductive health rights to fair maps, from clean drinking water to healthy public schools. 

The race for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court has already set a new record for the most expensive judicial race in US history—and might become the country’s first $100 million race for a court seat. A victory by Waukesha Co. Judge Brad Schimel would return control of the court to conservatives. A win by Dane Co. Judge Susan Crawford would keep control of the court in liberal hands.

But it’s not the only statewide contest being decided. There is a big election for state Superintendent of Public Instruction. Public schools champion Jill Underly’s quest for a second term faces a challenge by private and charter schools advocate Brittany Kinser.

Speaking of education, the Legislature’s long history of underfunding public schools has led to a growing number of referendums—and there are nearly 90 more on the ballot on April 1.

Voters are also being asked to amend the state constitution. Republicans passed a voter ID law in 2011, despite no evidence of significant voter fraud anywhere in the state. Now that a progressive Supreme Court has ended gerrymandered legislative districts, Republicans want to put their voter ID rules directly into the Wisconsin Constitution in case they lose control of the Assembly and Senate next year.

And there are lots of local races for school boards, town boards, and much more. You can see what is on your own ballot by putting your address information into the state Elections Commission’s website, MyVote.WI.gov. The site can also tell you where to vote and confirm whether you are registered to vote.

At the polls…

If you’re a registered voter, all you need to bring to your polling place is a valid form of photo identification—driver’s license, voter ID card, passport.

If you are not registered, you’ll need to bring along information to prove you’ve lived at your voting address for at least 28 days before the election—things like a current driver’s license, a utility bill that’s less than 90 days old, or a bank statement. There are ways for college students and people who live in residential care facilities to also show proof of their current address, explained at the MyVote website.

Be sure to not bring or wear any campaign gear, buttons, hats, shirts, etc. that advertise your politics. That’s called electioneering, and it’s not allowed.

Children are allowed—there are no rules against bringing young ones into the voting booth, but consider making arrangements if you’ve got little people who might be disruptive to other voters.

If you never got around to mailing your absentee ballot, you can bring it in on Election Day. Each clerk has rules on where to drop off absentee ballots (which still have to be sealed inside their envelopes, with a proper witness signature). Ask your clerk’s office if you need to know more.

And you might need to bring a little patience. While spring elections normally don’t see the same volume as a presidential one, some communities still have a tough time finding enough poll workers. If you encounter a line, be patient. And if you can’t get there until just before the polls close at 8:00 p.m., that’s okay. As long as you’re in line at 8:00, you get to stay in line until you can vote.

Enduring one more bruising political season is a lot to ask of Wisconsin voters so soon after the craziness of the 2024 cycle. But take heart: we’re done for the year. The next super-caffeinated campaign won’t happen until another Supreme Court race in April 2026, followed by a gubernatorial election in November 2026.