Wisconsin Supreme Court Election
Liberal Judge Susan Crawford secured a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, defeating conservative Judge Brad Schimel by a 9-point margin. This victory maintains the court’s 4-3 liberal majority, which is expected to influence forthcoming decisions on issues such as abortion rights and redistricting. Despite substantial financial backing for Schimel’s campaign from figures like Elon Musk, Crawford’s win highlights the electorate’s leanings in this judicial contest. The Guardian+3New York Post+3Business Insider+3The GuardianNPR+3The Guardian+3Business Insider+3
Voter ID Constitutional Amendment
Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment requiring photographic identification for voting, with 63.1% in favor. This amendment solidifies existing voter ID laws, making them more resistant to legislative or judicial changes. Acceptable forms of identification include state-issued IDs, federal IDs, tribal IDs, and certain educational institution IDs. Voters lacking valid ID on election day can cast a provisional ballot and provide identification subsequently. Business Insider+2New York Post+2AP News+2
Reactions from Political Figures
Former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who endorsed and financially supported Schimel, acknowledged the setback in the Supreme Court race but emphasized the importance of the voter ID amendment’s passage. They view the amendment as a strategic gain for future electoral processes in Wisconsin. Business Insider+1NPR+1
These election results underscore Wisconsin’s pivotal role in shaping the political landscape, with implications for both state and national policies.
