MADISON, Wis. — Early voting participation in Wisconsin ahead of the crucial state Supreme Court race is significantly surpassing participation levels from a similar high-profile election two years ago, highlighting the heightened interest in a race that has shattered spending records and garnered attention from prominent national figures.
As of Tuesday, with one week remaining until the final voting day, early ballots cast have increased by nearly 48% compared to the same timeframe in the previous election cycle, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Over 345,000 voters have returned ballots via mail or in person, compared to approximately 233,000 during the prior Supreme Court race.
This election will determine if the court will maintain its 4-3 liberal majority or transition to a conservative majority, following the retirement of a liberal justice.
The current race has become a reflection of national political dynamics, with strong support for the Republican candidate, signaling a shift in voting strategies. Calls for early voting have intensified as candidates rally their bases.
Total expenditure in this race has escalated beyond $73 million, marking a record for any U.S. judicial election, surpassing the $56 million spent on Wisconsin’s Supreme Court contest in 2023.
Significant financial investments have contributed to the surge in early voting, according to a former elections official now serving as a consultant. He emphasizes the focus sectors are actively promoting voter turnout.
Republicans, previously skeptical of early voting, are now encouraging their supporters to cast their ballots prior to the final day on April 1. This shift in strategy, having proven effective in the previous presidential race, appears to be driving higher turnout in conservative regions across the state.
The Democratic-supported opponent has also raised substantial funds, further intensifying competition. Backed by significant donors, she has gained traction in mobilizing voters.
While the candidates have raised a combined total of approximately $28 million, external groups have contributed more than $45 million, underscoring the impact of outside funding in this highly competitive race.
Due to Wisconsin’s policy of not requiring party affiliation during voter registration, it’s difficult to assess the partisan breakdown of ballots submitted thus far. However, significant increases have been recorded in both Democratic- and Republican-dominant counties.
Milwaukee County has led in early ballots returned, showing a 46% increase compared to two years ago, while suburban counties are also experiencing notable surges.
Despite the high early voting numbers for this spring election, they still do not match the intense turnout rates ahead of the presidential election, which saw close to one million ballots cast a week prior to Election Day.
With the Supreme Court poised to make significant rulings on pivotal issues such as abortion rights and voting regulations, the stakes are higher than ever.
Calls for fair congressional redistricting are gaining traction as leaders advocate for a Supreme Court aligned with liberal perspectives, which could reshape the electoral landscape.
Allegations have surfaced regarding candidates’ commitments to redistricting, indicating a growing debate over the integrity of electoral processes.
