Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2020
- Election date: April 7, 2020
- Registration deadline(s): March 18 (via mail), March 30 (online), April 7 (in person)
- Online registration: Click here.
- Same-day registration: Yes
- Voter ID: Required. Click here to view a list of acceptable forms of ID.
- Early voting starts: Varies based on municipality. Find your municipal clerk here.
- Absentee/mail voting deadline(s): April 7, 2020 (postmark and in-person return deadline)
- Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time
2020 Election Dates | |
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Deadline to file candidacy | |
January 7, 2020 | |
Primary election | |
February 18, 2020 | |
General election | |
April 7, 2020 |
2020 State Judicial Elections | |
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Jill Karofsky defeated incumbent Daniel Kelly in the nonpartisan April 7 election for a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Karofsky received 55.3% of the vote to Kelly's 44.7%.[1]
The election followed weeks of debate among state leaders over whether to postpone the election or adjust election procedure in response to the coronavirus pandemic. In-person voting took place as scheduled on April 7. The absentee ballot mail return deadline was extended from April 7 to April 13, although ballots submitted via mail needed to be postmarked by April 7 in order to be valid. Click here for more.
Although the race was officially nonpartisan, Kelly was a member of the court's conservative majority and received support from conservative groups. Karofsky said she would join the court's liberal minority and received support from liberal groups.
Karofsky's win reduced the size of the court's conservative majority to 4-3, meaning that the 2023 election determined control of the court, assuming no justices left the bench early. A Kelly win would have prevented control of the court from changing until the 2026 election at the earliest.
Recent elections to the Wisconsin Supreme Court had been decided by narrow margins. In 2019, conservative Brian Hagedorn defeated liberal Lisa Neubauer by a 0.5 percent margin. Aside from the 2017 election in which incumbent Annette Ziegler was unopposed, the widest margin of victory in the preceding decade was liberal incumbent Ann Walsh Bradley's 16.2 percent win in 2015.
Kelly was running for a full term on the court after Gov. Scott Walker (R) appointed him in 2016 to replace David T. Prosser, who retired.[2] He said he had a broader range of experience than Karofsky, including as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and litigator.[3]
Karofsky was first elected to the Dane County Circuit Court in 2017. She said her experience as a trial court judge made her the most qualified candidate since she had firsthand experience seeing the effects of state supreme court rulings on residents.[3][4]
Both candidates said they were running to counter politicization on the court. Kelly said judges should decide cases based on their interpretation of the law rather than their political preferences, while Karofsky said Kelly had a record of ruling in favor of conservative groups.[5][3]
In the February 18 primary, Kelly received 50.1% of the vote to Karofsky's 37.2%. A third candidate, Ed Fallone, was eliminated.[6] Click here for more on the primary.
Click on candidate names below to view their key messages:
![]() Kelly |
![]() Karofksy |
Election procedure changes in 2020
Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.
Wisconsin modified its absentee/mail-in voting procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:
- Absentee/mail-in voting: Absentee and mail-in ballot applications were sent to most registered voters in the general election.
For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.
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Coronavirus pandemic |
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.
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Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.
This page is updated monthly, but our email is always open. We encourage you to share updates from local officials, policymakers, and campaigns in your community at [email protected].
- View the Karofksy campaign's statement on the coronavirus pandemic here.
- Watch the Kelly campaign's statement on the coronavirus pandemic here.
The following timeline lists responses to the coronavirus from the candidates and campaigns:
- March 23, 2020: The Karofsky campaign tweeted a list of actions voters could take to support Karofsky without leaving their homes.[7]
- March 22, 2020: The Karofsky campaign encouraged supporters to remain in their homes to attempt to slow the virus' spread.[8]
- March 21, 2020: The Kelly campaign tweeted a list of actions voters could take to support Kelly without leaving their homes.[9]
- March 19, 2020: Kelly released a video outlining how his campaign would adjust its strategy to the coronavirus outbreak. In the video, Kelly announced that he would indefinitely postpone in-person campaign events and voter outreach as well as asking voters to visit his website for a list of actions they could take to support him without leaving home.[10]
- March 16, 2020: The Karofsky campaign encouraged supporters to vote early or absentee.[11]
- March 13, 2020: Karofsky's campaign announced that it would replace some upcoming events with virtual events and encouraged supporters to vote early.[12]
- March 10, 2020: Karofsky's campaign issued a statement outlining their coronavirus-related concerns. The statement said that the campaign was not yet canceling upcoming events but would continue to monitor news.[13]
Candidates and election results
General election
General election for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Jill Karofsky defeated incumbent Daniel Kelly in the general election for Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 7, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Jill Karofsky (Nonpartisan) | 55.2 | 855,573 |
![]() | Daniel Kelly (Nonpartisan) | 44.7 | 693,134 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 990 |
Total votes: 1,549,697 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Incumbent Daniel Kelly and Jill Karofsky defeated Edward A. Fallone in the primary for Wisconsin Supreme Court on February 18, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Daniel Kelly (Nonpartisan) | 50.1 | 352,876 |
✔ | ![]() | Jill Karofsky (Nonpartisan) | 37.2 | 261,783 |
![]() | Edward A. Fallone (Nonpartisan) ![]() | 12.7 | 89,184 |
Total votes: 703,843 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways. Either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey or Ballotpedia staff created a profile after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[14] Ballotpedia staff compiled profiles based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements.
Incumbent: Yes
Political Office: Wisconsin Supreme Court (Assumed office: 2016)
Biography: Kelly graduated from Carroll College in 1986 and obtained a law degree from Regent University School of Law in 1991. He was the founding editor-in-chief of the Regent University Law Review. Kelly clerked for Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Adam Fine before entering private practice. He worked for the firm of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren before joining the Kern Family Foundation as vice president and general counsel in 2013. The following year, Kelly founded his own law firm. While in private practice, Kelly argued cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of the United States. Gov. Scott Walker (R) appointed Kelly to fill a vacancy on the state Supreme Court in 2016.
Show sources
Sources: Daniel Kelly's 2020 campaign website, "Judicial Philosophy," accessed January 23, 2020, WUWM, "Incumbent Daniel Kelly Touts Ability To 'Apply The Law' In Wisconsin Supreme Court Bid," January 3, 2020, Wisconsin Public Radio, "Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidates Debate Role Of Politics, Precedent," November 19, 2019; Daniel Kelly's 2020 campaign website, "About," accessed January 23, 2020, LinkedIn, "Daniel Kelly," accessed January 23, 2020
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2020.
Incumbent: No
Political Office: Dane County Circuit Court (Assumed office: 2017)
Biography: Karofsky graduated from Duke University and obtained her master's and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin—Madison. After obtaining her law degree, she joined the Dane County District Attorney's office, where she served under four district attorneys. In 2001, Karofsky was named general counsel to the National Conference of Bar Examiners. She held that post until becoming Wisconsin's first Violence Against Women Resource Prosecutor in 2010. The following year, Karofsky was named director of the state's Office of Crime Victim Services, which she led until her election to the Dane County Circuit Court in 2017.
Show sources
Sources: Jill Karofsky's 2020 campaign website, "Home," accessed January 23, 2020, WUWM, "Judge Jill Karofsky Wants To End 'Corruption' If Elected To Wisconsin Supreme Court," January 2, 2020; Jill Karofsky's 2020 campaign website, "About," accessed January 23, 2020, Teaching Assistants' Association, "Jill Karofsky - Spring 2017," accessed January 23, 2020
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2020.
Endorsements
This section lists endorsements issued in this election. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.
Wisconsin Supreme Court endorsements, 2020 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Endorsement | Kelly | Karofsky | ||||
Newspapers and editorials | ||||||
The Cap Times[15] | ✔ | |||||
GazetteXtra[16] | ✔ | |||||
Shepherd Express[17] | ✔ | |||||
Elected officials | ||||||
President Donald Trump (R)[18][19] | ✔ | |||||
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D)[20] | ✔ | |||||
Sen. Ron Johnson (R)[21] | ✔ | |||||
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I)[22] | ✔ | |||||
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R)[23] | ✔ | |||||
Rep. Glenn Grothman (R)[24] | ✔ | |||||
Rep. Ron Kind (D)[25] | ✔ | |||||
Rep. Gwen Moore (D)[20] | ✔ | |||||
Rep. Mark Pocan (D)[20] | ✔ | |||||
Rep. Bryan Steil (R)[26] | ✔ | |||||
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley[27] | ✔ | |||||
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley[28] | ✔ | |||||
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Dallet[20] | ✔ | |||||
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Brian Hagedorn[28] | ✔ | |||||
State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski (D)[20] | ✔ | |||||
10 members of the state Senate[20] | ✔ | |||||
18 members of the state Assembly[20] | ✔ | |||||
Four Wisconsin Court of Appeals judges[20] | ✔ | |||||
Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge William Brash[28] | ✔ | |||||
39 county circuit court judges[20] | ✔ | |||||
17 county circuit court judges[28] | ✔ | |||||
Seven municipal judges[20] | ✔ | |||||
40 county sheriffs[28] | ✔ | |||||
Five county sheriffs[20] | ✔ | |||||
Racine Mayor Cory Mason[20] | ✔ | |||||
Individuals | ||||||
Former Vice President Joe Biden (D)[29] | ✔ | |||||
Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D)[30] | ✔ | |||||
Former Sen. Herb Kohl (D)[30] | ✔ | |||||
Former Gov. Jim Doyle (D)[20] | ✔ | |||||
Former Gov. Tony Earl (D)[20] | ✔ | |||||
Former Gov. Martin Schreiber (D)[20] | ✔ | |||||
Former Gov. Scott Walker (R)[31] | ✔ | |||||
Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch (R)[32] | ✔ | |||||
Former Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton (D)[20] | ✔ | |||||
Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler[20] | ✔ | |||||
Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David T. Prosser[28] | ✔ | |||||
Two former members of the state Senate[20] | ✔ | |||||
Nine former members of the state Assembly[20] | ✔ | |||||
Eight former Wisconsin Court of Appeals judges[20] | ✔ | |||||
Four former Wisconsin Court of Appeals judges[28] | ✔ | |||||
29 former Wisconsin circuit court judges[20] | ✔ | |||||
Four former county sheriffs[28] | ✔ | |||||
Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk (D)[20] | ✔ | |||||
Former Dane County Executive Rick Phelps (D)[20] | ✔ | |||||
Former Madison Mayor Joe Sensenbrenner[20] | ✔ | |||||
Former Madison Mayor Joel Skornicka[20] | ✔ | |||||
Organizations | ||||||
American Federation of Teachers Local 212[20] | ✔ | |||||
Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin[28] | ✔ | |||||
Citizens Action[33] | ✔ | |||||
Human Rights Campaign[34] | ✔ | |||||
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers[20] | ✔ | |||||
Milwaukee Police Association[35] | ✔ | |||||
National Rifle Association[28] | ✔ | |||||
Pro-Life Wisconsin[28] | ✔ | |||||
Teamsters Joint Council 39[36] | ✔ | |||||
Wisconsin AFL-CIO[37] | ✔ | |||||
Wisconsin Family Council[28] | ✔ | |||||
Wisconsin Realtors Association[28] | ✔ | |||||
Wisconsin Right to Life[38] | ✔ | |||||
Women Lead[20] | ✔ |
Timeline
2020
2019
Debates and forums
March 12 candidate forum
On March 12, 2020, Kelly and Karofsky participated in a candidate forum hosted by the Milwaukee Bar Association.
Click here for a recording of the forum. Click the links below for roundups of the forum from:
February 3 candidate forum
On February 3, 2020, Kelly, Fallone, and Karofsky participated in a candidate forum hosted by the Menard Center at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
|
Click the links below for roundups of the candidate forum from:
February 1 candidate forum
On February 1, 2020, Fallone and Karofsky participated in a candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Greater Green Bay.
Click here for the official recording of the candidate forum. Click the links below for roundups of the candidate forum from:
January 30 candidate forum
On January 30, 2020, Kelly, Fallone, and Karofsky met for a candidate forum hosted by the Milwaukee Bar Association.
|
Click the links below for roundups of the candidate forum from:
January 27 candidate forum
On January 27, 2020, Kelly and Fallone participated in a candidate forum at St. Brendan's Inn in Green Bay.
- Click here to read the WFRV roundup of the forum.
November 19, 2019, candidate forum
On November 19, 2019, Kelly, Fallone, and Karofsky met for a candidate forum at the law offices of Foley & Lardner LLP sponsored by the American Constitution Society. Click here here for the official recording of the candidate forum. Click the links below for roundups of the candidate forum from:
Campaign themes
- See also: Campaign themes
Candidate survey
Ballotpedia invites candidates to participate in its annual survey. |
The following campaign themes came from the candidates' campaign websites, where available.
Daniel Kelly
Kelly's campaign website stated the following:
“ |
• Civilization depends on ordered liberty, functional economics, and individual rights; • The rule of law is an indispensable foundation for ordered liberty, functional economics, and individual rights; • The judiciary is uniquely positioned to protect and nurture the rule of law; and • None of the above matters unless those entrusted with care for the rule of law are willing and able to consistently apply its first principles in clear and certain terms, even when those principles conflict with their personal policy preferences. There is no end to the mischief the judiciary causes when it abandons its role of declaring what the law is, and instead arrogates to itself the power to develop new law in place of what it received from the ultimate lawgivers – the people of the State of Wisconsin and the United States. It is my desire to serve the people of this State by applying, protecting, and preserving the rule of law in the Wisconsin Supreme Court.[69][70] |
” |
Jill Karofsky
Karofsky's campaign website stated the following:
“ |
I have spent my career in the law working to help crime victims and to protect our rights, and now I’m running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court because we need to get our state and our country back on the right track. I’m a judge, I’ve been a local and state prosecutor, I directed the state’s Office of Crime Victim Services. No one knows better than me how important it is to have a legal system that works. Today, too many judges see themselves as on one political team or another. But I think we need strong leaders who will put our strong Wisconsin political tradition of independent and honest courts first. I believe in Wisconsin. I believe in our history of great public schools, protecting our beautiful natural resources, and protecting civil rights for all. As a prosecutor and a judge, I, have deep experience in state courtrooms, and have spent a career standing up for our rights and fighting to protect victims. Now, I need your help to win this race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Believe me, I know what it’s like to work hard and to run hard. I’ve completed two Ironman races, and now I run 50-mile ultra-marathons. I was a Division I athlete, and then I graduated with two degrees from UW-Madison. In my career prosecuting violent criminals, working as the top assistant attorney general on violence against women cases, and running the state’s victim services programs, I learned a lot about what works and doesn’t work in our system. I know that our judicial system is built on independent judges, not a system in which it matters what political team you’re on. So now I see the corroding effect of big money on our judicial system. It’s time to restore a sense of justice and honor to our legal system. I will follow the law, and I will protect our values. My dad, Peter, was a local pediatrician. My mom, Judy, was one of the first women in Wisconsin to serve as a city mayor. This country has made tremendous strides in extending equal rights to all, and I’m inspired by the example of my father, and how he cares for children every day, and by my mother and the groundbreaking path she forged. We can’t go backwards, and it’s distressing to me that rather than respecting our rights, we now see a moment in which political forces seek to roll back the advances in civil rights we’ve made in the last few generations. More than anything, our courts are about constitutional rights. We will serve the needs of crime victims, we will stand up for racial justice and civil rights, we will protect the right to marriage equality, and we will never allow for the rights of women to be rolled back. I look forward to getting around the state and carrying that message to voters in every corner of Wisconsin. Please join me on this journey. I look forward to staying in touch.[71][70] |
” |
Campaign advertisements
This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaigns and, if applicable, satellite groups are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.
Dan Kelly
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- "Fairy Tale" - Kelly radio ad, released February 4, 2020
- Untitled Kelly campaign ad, released January 30, 2020
Jill Karofsky
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Satellite group ads
Click "show" to the right to see satellite group ads. | ||
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Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
If you are aware of polls conducted in this race, please email us.
Candidate support
The following committees and groups either contributed to the candidate's campaign or made a recommendation or endorsement of the candidate.
Support for Kelly
- Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin[28]
- Fox Valley Initiative[72]
- Friends of John Murtha[72]
- Friends of Van Wanggaard[50]
- Jim Ott for Assembly[72]
- Milwaukee Police Association Political Action Committee[50]
- Murphy for Assembly[58]
- National Rifle Association[28]
- Pro-Life Wisconsin[28]
- REALTORS Political Action Committee - Wisconsin[50]
- Republican Party of Wisconsin[50]
- Republican Party of the 1st Congressional District of Wisconsin[50]
- Republican Party of the 6th Congressional District of Wisconsin[72]
- Republican Party of Polk County[50]
- Republican Party of Portage County[58]
- Republican Party of Racine County[50]
- Republican Party of Sheboygan County[72]
- Republican Party of Vilas County[72]
- Republican Party of Walworth County[50]
- Schimel for Judge[58]
- Stroebel for Senate[72]
- Wisconsin Family Council[28]
- Wisconsin Realtors Association[28]
- Wisconsin Right to Life[72]
Support for Karofsky
- American Federation of Teachers Local 212[20]
- Citizens for Spencer Black[73]
- Coulee Region United Educators[60][51]
- Friends of Christian Albouras[73]
- Citizens Action[33]
- Democratic Party of Wisconsin[51]
- Democratic Party of Dodge County[51]
- Democratic Party of Walworth County[51]
- Friends of David Mahoney for Sheriff[74]
- Friends of Tod Ohnstad[51]
- Human Rights Campaign[34]
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 494 PAC[51]
- Madison Teachers, Inc. Voters[51]
- Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Election Fund[51]
- Plumbers Local 75 PAC[51]
- Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin PAC[73]
- Teamsters Joint Council 39[36]
- Wisconsin AFL-CIO[37]
- Wisconsin Carpenters PAC[51]
- Wisconsin Education Association Council Region 3 PAC[51]
- Wisconsin Education Association Council Region 5 PAC[51]
- Wisconsin Laborers District Council[51]
- Wisconsin PEOPLE Conference[51]
- Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association PAC[51]
- Women Lead[20]
Campaign finance
Satellite spending
- See also: Satellite spending
Satellite spending, commonly referred to as outside spending, describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[75][76][77]
This section lists satellite spending in this race reported by news outlets in alphabetical order. If you are aware of spending that should be included, please email us.
Aftermath
Federal lawsuit seeking re-vote
On Monday, April 13, 2020, 14 Milwaukee-area voters filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the legitimacy of the election. The suit argued that the series of changes to election procedure in the weeks leading up to the election resulted in voter disenfranchisement. The plaintiffs sought a partial or total re-vote of the election.[39]
Decision to count unpostmarked Milwaukee absentee ballots
On Monday, April 13, the Milwaukee Election Commission voted to include 390 absentee ballots which had been received after April 7 and did not contain a postmark dating to April 7 or earlier in its official tally of results. An April 6 U.S. Supreme Court decision ruled that absentee ballots could be received via mail as late as April 13 but could only be counted if they were postmarked by April 7 or earlier. The 390 ballots in question included ballots with illegible postmarks, ballots lacking a postmark entirely, and ballots with a postmark that did not include a date.[78]
Analysis
COVID-19 cases resulting from the April 7, 2020, election
On April 29, 2020, Kathy Leung and Joseph T. Wu of the University of Hong Kong and Kuang Xu and Lawrence M. Wein of Stanford University released a pre-print study on the question of whether there had been a detectable increase in COVID-19 cases resulting from the April 7, 2020, election. According to the abstract of the study, "Taken together, there is no evidence to date that there was a surge of infections due to the April 7, 2020, election in Wisconsin, which has a relatively low level of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the US." The pre-print study had not yet been subject to peer review.[79]
In May 2020, Chad D. Cotti, Bryan Engelhardt, and Joshua Foster of the University of Wisconsin and Erik T. Nesson and Paul S. Niekamp of Ball State University released a working paper via the National Bureau of Economic Research on the effects of the April 7, 2020, election on COVID-19 transmission in Wisconsin. According to the abstract of the study, "We find a statistically and economically significant association between in-person voting and the spread of COVID-19 two to three weeks after the election. Furthermore, we find the consolidation of polling locations, and relatively fewer absentee votes, increased positive testing rates two to three weeks after the election." The working paper had not yet been subject to peer review.[80]
Absentee ballot rejection rate
The Wisconsin Elections Commission releases detailed reports providing statistics on voter participation rates and means by which votes are cast 60 days following each election. This section contains absentee ballot rejection rates for spring elections dating back to 2012 calculated from those reports. As of September 9, 2021, the Wisconsin Elections Commission had last updated its 2020 absentee ballot rejection figures on January 4, 2021. As of that update, 239 of the state's 1,850 municipalities had not submitted the required reports on absentee ballot rejection rates.[81]
An absentee ballot is rejected when it is completed and submitted by the voter on time but is found to be invalid. Reasons for rejection include a missing or unsigned certificate on the ballot envelope or a lack of a signature from a valid witness.[82] An absentee ballot is not considered to be rejected if it was not delivered to the voter on time or was not returned by the voter on time. An absentee ballot is cancelled rather than rejected if the voter votes in-person or is found to be ineligible.
Absentee ballot rejection rates in Wisconsin spring elections, 2012-2019[83] | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Absentee ballots sent | Absentee ballots returned on time | Absentee ballots returned on time (%) | Absentee ballots counted | Absentee ballots counted (%) | Absentee ballots rejected | Absentee ballots rejected (%) |
2020 | 1,117,245 | 990,376 | 88.64% | 969,479 | 86.77% | 20,897 | 1.87% |
2019 | 89,218 | 66,107 | 74.10% | 65,515 | 99.10% | 592 | 0.90% |
2018 | 129,811 | 108,721 | 83.75% | 107,587 | 98.96% | 1,207 | 1.11% |
2017 | 103,373 | 78,324 | 75.77% | 77,959 | 99.53% | 729 | 0.93% |
2016 | 247,052 | 227,827 | 92.22% | 212,832 | 93.42% | 1,629 | 0.72% |
2015 | 102,723 | 82,906 | 80.71% | 76,251 | 91.97% | 994 | 1.20% |
2014 | 67,917 | 53,080 | 78.15% | 49,292 | 92.86% | 819 | 1.54% |
2013 | 112,607 | 94,467 | 83.89% | 89,928 | 95.20% | 901 | 0.95% |
2012 | 94,859 | 83,159 | 87.67% | 78,749 | 94.70% | 1,505 | 1.81% |
Average | 229,423 | 193,330 | 82.77% | 191,955 | 94.72% | 3,253 | 1.23% |
Between 2012 and 2019, an average of 118,445 absentee ballots were sent out in each Wisconsin spring election. The most ballots were sent in 2016 with 247,052, while the least were sent in 2014 with 67,917. An average of 82% of ballots were received in time to be counted, ranging from 92.22% in 2016 to 74.10% in 2019.[84] Each year, fewer than 2% of absentee ballots were rejected. The most rejections were 1,629 in 2016, while the greatest percentage of rejections was 1.81% in 2012.
Turnout in Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2000-2019
The following chart shows voter turnout in Wisconsin Supreme Court elections from 2000 to 2019, the winner, and his or her opponent. Data was collected from the Wisconsin Elections Commission.[85]
Historical competitiveness in statewide races in Wisconsin
The following chart shows the vote totals for general election candidates in contested statewide races from 2012 through 2019. Although Wisconsin Supreme Court elections are nonpartisan, liberal and conservative groups typically coalesce around specific candidates. In those cases, Democratic and Republican refers to the preferred candidate of each party.
Partisan vote totals in statewide races in Wisconsin, 2012-2019 | ||||||||
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Year | Race | ![]() |
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![]() |
![]() |
Other Votes | Other Percentage | Total votes |
2019 | State Supreme Court | 600,433 | 49.7% | 606,414 | 50.2% | 722 | 0.1% | 1,207,569 |
2018 | U.S. Senate | 1,472,914 | 55.4% | 1,184,885 | 44.5% | 2,964 | 0.1% | 2,660,763 |
2018 | Governor | 1,313,836 | 49.6% | 1,284,786 | 48.5% | 52,480 | 2.0% | 2,651,102 |
2018 | State Supreme Court | 555,848 | 55.7% | 440,808 | 44.2% | 829 | 0.1% | 997,485 |
2016 | President | 1,382,536 | 46.5% | 1,405,284 | 47.2% | 188,330 | 6.3% | 2,976,150 |
2016 | U.S. Senate | 1,380,335 | 46.8% | 1,479,471 | 50.2% | 87,539 | 3.0% | 2,947,345 |
2016 | State Supreme Court | 929,377 | 47.5% | 1,024,892 | 52.3% | 3,678 | 0.2% | 1,957,947 |
2015 | State Supreme Court | 471,866 | 58.0% | 340,632 | 41.9% | 702 | 0.1% | 813,200 |
2014 | Governor | 1,122,913 | 46.6% | 1,259,706 | 52.3% | 27,698 | 1.1% | 2,410,317 |
2013 | State Supreme Court | 362,969 | 42.5% | 491,261 | 57.5% | 485 | 0.1% | 854,715 |
2012 | President | 1,620,985 | 52.8% | 1,407,966 | 45.9% | 39,483 | 1.3% | 3,068,434 |
2012 | U.S. Senate | 1,547,104 | 51.5% | 1,380,126 | 45.9% | 78,808 | 2.6% | 3,006,038 |
Reactions to election outcome
This section contains selected responses to the election outcome from political and media sources in Wisconsin and nationwide.
Reactions from the candidates
Election winner Jill Karofsky: "Although we were successful in this race, the circumstances under which this election was conducted were simply unacceptable, and raise serious concerns for the future of our democracy. Nobody in this state or in this country should have been forced to choose between their safety and participating in an election. Too many were unable to have their voices heard because they didn't feel safe leaving their home or their absentee ballots weren't counted. Wisconsinites showed their resiliency by overcoming many of the barriers created by the legislature and the courts to try and silence voters in this state, but nobody should ever be denied their right to vote."[86]
Incumbent Daniel Kelly: "Although we are disappointed, my greatest emotion is gratitude. First to my family, especially my wonderful wife, Elisa. She has been with me every step of this race, a constant source of encouragement and good cheer. To our incredible volunteers, donors, and supporters: you opened your homes and your hearts to us, which is so typical of the people of this state, yet so exceptional in our world today. We are humbled by your confidence in us, and inspired by your commitment to our constitutionally-guaranteed rights and liberties. To my campaign team, you built an incredible grassroots machine that carried us further than any of the pundits predicted, and you led us through an incredibly difficult time with grace and resolve. You all have my deepest thanks."[87]
Reactions from pundits and media sources
Potential implications for the November 2020 elections
- Kyle Kondik and J. Miles Coleman, Sabato's Crystal Ball:
“ | Setting aside the various decisions made by Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI), the GOP-controlled state legislature, and conservative majorities on the state and federal Supreme Courts, the conventional wisdom before the election seemed to be that holding it on April 7 and also ensuring that absentee ballots had to be postmarked by that date advantaged Republicans in the Supreme Court race. Part of the reason for the conventional wisdom was that the city of Milwaukee, one of the core centers of Democratic voters in the state, cut its number of in-person voting locations from 180 to five.
As it turned out, the circumstances may have advantaged Democrats — or, perhaps, disadvantaged them so little that the particulars did not prevent them from winning the state Supreme Court seat comfortably. ... In other words, the late controversy threw some doubt in the race, but the Democrats’ inherent advantage because of the contested presidential primary (and the uncontested Republican one) ended up manifesting itself in the result to at least some degree.[88][70] |
” |
- Dr. Eric Ostermeier, Smart Politics:
“ | With no other data points heading into the 2020 cycle, last week’s contest between Karofsky and Kelly was expected to be a gauge of where the Badger State electorate was at heading into 2020.
But the gauge was difficult to measure. A month out from Election Day, Democrats seemed to have a potential advantage in turning out their vote by hosting a contested presidential primary. Joe Biden then turned in an impressive performance on Super Tuesday, became an unstoppable force in contests held through the rest of March, and defending primary winner Bernie Sanders’ campaign came grinding to a halt. [Sanders withdrew the day after the Wisconsin primary]. However, the COVID19 virus brought about social distancing, shelter at home orders, and a slew of poll station closures which Democrats feared would depress turnout and aid the GOP in the Supreme Court election. That led to unsuccessful, 11th hour attempts by Democrats to delay the primary or at least extend the absentee ballot postmark date. Nonetheless, more Wisconsinites ended up voting in the April 2020 state Supreme Court election (1.54 million) than in all but one race for the office in state history. [The 2016 race between JoAnne Kloppenburg and Justice Rebecca Bradley had 1.95 million voters – aided greatly by competitive GOP and Democratic presidential primaries held that day].[89][70] |
” |
Reactions to debate over whether to change election procedure
- Noah Feldman, Bloomberg:
“ | But the Supreme Court’s ruling nevertheless matters a lot. It’s the opening salvo in what is likely to be a seven-month long series of legal battles about how the 2020 elections will be accomplished with Covid-19 disrupting the voting process.
So it’s highly unfortunate that the justices split along partisan lines in this first case, a case with relatively low stakes. The nation badly needs the court to avoid a scenario reminiscent of the 2000 Bush v. Gore case, in which the justices were perceived to have decided the election for Bush along roughly ideological lines. The takeaway for states, and for democracy, is clear: Plan now, plan well, and don’t rely on the courts to resolve controversial questions about mail-in voting and deadlines — especially at the last minute.[90][70] |
” |
- Dan McLaughlin, National Review:
“ | It would have been better to keep the courts out of the case entirely, but that was not an option here: A single federal district judge had extended the deadline until April 13, a week after the election. Had the Court refused the case, the election laws of Wisconsin would have been rewritten by one judge instead of nine. Even the plaintiffs in the suit had not asked for the April 13 date or presented evidence to support it.
The Court also noted that the district court’s judge-made election law was impractical because it required an order attempting to suppress news of the results (among other things, requiring an extensive prior restraint of speech) while people kept voting after Election Day. Thus, it allowed ballots to be postmarked as late as tomorrow, even if received after the legal deadline — but no later. This is the kind of decision that courts are unsuited to make. But the Court simply did not have the option of doing the right thing, which is to tell the legislature to live with the rules as written or fix them. Getting the case the night before Election Day with a pandemic ongoing and nobody trying to act responsibly to postpone the election, the Court selected what it considered the least of evils. It did leave the door open for the legislature to pass new laws, if it could get its act together with the governor at this late hour.[91][70] |
” |
- Ella Nilsen and Li Zhou, Vox:
“ | The Wisconsin election was not equal for all voters; those with access to cars and transportation could drive to the polls and in some instances safely vote from their vehicles. And information about such options wasn’t exactly clear. Places like Milwaukee offered curbside voting, but this effort wasn’t effectively communicated to voters, according to Dakota Hall, the executive director of Leaders Igniting Transformation, an advocacy group aimed at promoting voting rights.
The lack of information and the last-minute nature of the election changes had a concrete effect on voters’ decisions to go to the polls. Shavonda, a Wisconsin voter who declined to share her last name, said that she was worried about the risk of physically going to a crowded location given the fact that she has asthma. 'It’s too high-risk for me to go out to go to polling places,' she told Vox.[92][70] |
” |
- Ed Morrissey, Hot Air:
“ | True enough — Evers has been all over the place on this point rather than demonstrating any real leadership on it. However, the Republican-controlled legislature hasn’t fared much better. They could have passed a delay when they were finally called into special session over the weekend, but chose not to act instead. Evers’ flip-flopping didn’t give them much political cover for delaying the primary, but they probably didn’t need much political cover for it, either. Voters who have to go out and stand in line today are likely to say a pox on both houses as a result, irony fully intended. And they would not be wrong, even if one side probably deserves more overall blame than another.
This disaster serves as a reminder that scorched-earth politics has consequences far beyond the acute issues and ambitions at hand. This time, it might produce a body count — unless Wisconsin gets very, very lucky in implementing social distancing in an election process.[93][70] |
” |
Past elections
Overview
Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2005-2019 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Winning candidate | Ideological lean | Percent share of vote | Losing candidate | Ideological lean | Percent share of vote | Margin of victory | Majority on court | Turnout | Other statewide elections on ballot |
2019 | Brian Hagedorn | ![]() |
50.2% | Lisa Neubauer | ![]() |
49.7% | 0.5% | 5-2 | 26.6% | None |
2018 | Rebecca Dallet | ![]() |
55.8% | Michael Screnock | ![]() |
44.2% | 11.5% | 4-3 | 22.2% | None |
2017 | Annette Ziegler (incumbent) |
![]() |
97.2% | Write-in | -- | 2.8% | 94.4% | 5-2 | ~16% | State Superintendent of Public Instruction |
2016 | Rebecca Bradley (incumbent) |
![]() |
52.4% | JoAnne Kloppenburg | ![]() |
47.5% | 4.9% | 5-2 | 47.4% | Primary election - U.S. President |
2015 | Ann Walsh Bradley (incumbent) |
![]() |
58.1% | James Daley | ![]() |
41.9% | 16.2% | 4-3 | 18.3% | None |
2013 | Patience Roggensack (incumbent) |
![]() |
57.5% | Ed Fallone | ![]() |
42.5% | 15% | 4-3 | 20.5% | State Superintendent of Public Instruction |
2011 | David T. Prosser (incumbent) |
![]() |
50.2% | JoAnne Kloppenburg | ![]() |
49.7% | 0.5% | 4-3 | 34.3% | None |
2009 | Shirley Abrahamson (incumbent) |
![]() |
59.6% | Randy Koschnick | ![]() |
40.2% | 19.4% | 4-3 | 18.2% | None |
2008 | Michael Gableman | ![]() |
51.1% | Louis Butler (incumbent) |
![]() |
48.5% | 2.6% | 4-3 | 19.3% | None |
2007 | Annette Ziegler | ![]() |
58.6% | Linda M. Clifford | ![]() |
41.1% | 17.5% | 4-3 | 19.4% | None |
2006 | N. Patrick Crooks (incumbent) |
![]() |
99.4% | Write-in | -- | 0.6% | 98.8% | 4-3 | 11.8% | None |
2005 | Ann Walsh Bradley (incumbent) |
![]() |
99.6% | Write-in | -- | 0.4% | 99.2% | 4-3 | 17.1% | State Superintendent of Public Instruction |
2019
- See also: Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2019
Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Brian Hagedorn defeated Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Lisa Neubauer in the nonpartisan election for a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 2, 2019. Hagedorn won with 50% support. The seat was previously held by Justice Shirley Abrahamson, a member of the court's 4-3 liberal minority at the time of the election. Abrahamson did not run for re-election.
Although the election was officially nonpartisan, groups associated with the Democratic Party tended to support Neubauer while groups associated with the Republican Party tended to support Hagedorn.
General election
General election for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Brian Hagedorn (Nonpartisan) | 50.2 | 606,414 |
![]() | Lisa Neubauer (Nonpartisan) | 49.7 | 600,433 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 722 |
Total votes: 1,207,569 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
2018
- See also: Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2018
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Rebecca Dallet won the nonpartisan election for a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court against Sauk County Circuit Judge Michael Screnock on April 3, 2018. Dallet won with 56 percent support. The seat was previously held by Justice Michael Gableman, a member of the court's 5-2 conservative majority at the time of the election, who did not seek re-election.
Although the election was officially nonpartisan, groups associated with the Democratic Party tended to support Dallet while groups associated with the Republican Party tended to support Screnock.
Wisconsin Supreme Court, 2018 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
![]() |
55.72% | 555,848 |
Michael Screnock | 44.19% | 440,808 |
Total Votes (3880/3880 precincts) | 996,656 | |
Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission |
2017
- See also: Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2017
Candidates
■ Annette Ziegler (Incumbent/Unopposed)
One seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court was up for election in 2017. Justice Annette Ziegler was elected to the court in 2007 for a 10-year term and needed to stand for re-election in 2017 in order to serve another term. She ran unopposed.[94] Because she was unopposed, the seat did not appear on the ballot in Wisconsin's February primary election but instead appeared only on the ballot for the April 4 general election.
2016
- See also: Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2016
Wisconsin Supreme Court, Rebecca Bradley's Seat, 2016 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
![]() |
52.35% | 1,024,892 |
JoAnne Kloppenburg | 47.47% | 929,377 |
Write-in votes | 0.19% | 3,678 |
Total Votes (100% Reporting) | 1,957,947 | |
Source: Wisconsin Government Accountability Board Official Results |
One seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court was up for election in 2016. Following the death of Justice N. Patrick Crooks on September 21, 2015, Rebecca Bradley was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court by Governor Scott Walker (R) on October 9, 2015. Earlier in September, Crooks had announced his plans to retire at the end of his term.[95] Bradley had already announced a run for Crooks' seat before his death.[96]
Bradley and opponent JoAnne Kloppenburg received the highest number of votes for Bradley's seat in the primary on February 16, 2016, knocking Joe Donald out of the race. Bradley and Kloppenburg then faced each other in the sharply contested April general election. Bradley won. The race had the highest voter turnout for a supreme court race in Wisconsin state history, with over 1,900,000 votes cast.[97][98]
2015
- See also: Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2015
- See also: Wisconsin judicial elections, 2015
General election, 2015 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
![]() |
58.1% | 471,866 |
James Daley | 41.9% | 340,632 |
Total Votes | 813,200 |
One seat was open for election on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2015. Incumbent Justice Ann Walsh Bradley defeated Rock County Circuit Court Judge James Daley in the general election on April 7, 2015. Although the election was nonpartisan, Bradley is considered to be part of the liberal minority on the court. If Daley won, conservatives would have held a five-member majority on the seven-member court.[101]
Justice Bradley was elected to the court in 1995 and re-elected in 2005. She previously served as a circuit court judge for 10 years in Marathon County. Judge Daley joined the Rock County Circuit Court since 1989.[102][103]
2013
- See also: Wisconsin judicial elections, 2013
Candidate | Incumbency | Position | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
---|---|---|---|---|
Patience Roggensack | ||||
Ed Fallone | No | 29.8%![]() | 42.47% ![]() | |
Vince Megna | No | 6.3% |
One seat was open for election on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2013. Incumbent Justice Patience Roggensack defeated law professor Ed Fallone in the general election on April 2, 2013. Although the election was nonpartisan, Roggensack is considered to be a member of the court's conservative majority. If Fallone had won, control of the court would have gone to the liberal wing.
Justice Roggensack was first elected to the court in 2003. She previously served for seven years on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and for 16 years as an attorney in private practice.
2011
- See also: Wisconsin judicial elections, 2011
Candidate | Incumbency | Position | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
---|---|---|---|---|
JoAnne Kloppenburg | No | District IV | 49.70% ![]() | |
David T. Prosser ![]() | Yes | 50.192% ![]() | ||
Joel Winnig | No | |||
Marla J. Stephens | No |
One seat was open for election on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2011. Incumbent Justice David T. Prosser defeated Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg in the general election on April 5, 2011. Although the election was nonpartisan, Prosser is considered to be a member of the court's conservative majority. If Kloppenburg had won, control of the court would have gone to the liberal wing.
Justice Prosser was first appointed to the court in 1998 by Gov. Tommy Thompson (R) and was elected to a full term in 2001. He had previously served on the Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission and in the Wisconsin State Assembly.
About the Wisconsin Supreme Court
- See also: Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the state of Wisconsin. Seven justices, selected in nonpartisan elections for 10-year terms, sit on the state's court of last resort. The court has jurisdiction over all other Wisconsin courts and can also hear original actions.[104]
Political composition
This is the political composition of the supreme court heading into the 2020 election. Justices are selected in nonpartisan elections. In the case of a mid-term vacancy, the governor appoints a replacement.
■ Brian Hagedorn | Elected in 2019 | |
■ Ann Walsh Bradley | Elected in 1995, 2005, and 2015 | |
■ Patience Roggensack | Elected in 2003 and 2013 | |
■ Annette Ziegler | Elected in 2007 and 2017 | |
■ Rebecca Dallet | Elected in 2018 | |
■ Rebecca Bradley | Appointed by Scott Walker (R) in 2015, elected 2016 | |
■ Daniel Kelly | Appointed by Scott Walker (R) in 2016 |
Selection
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
The seven justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court are elected in nonpartisan elections. Justices serve 10-year terms.[105][106] In the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor appoints a replacement. If the vacancy occurs after that year's spring election and on or before December 1 of the same year, the appointee must stand for election in the next succeeding spring election in which no other justice is to be elected. If the vacancy occurs after December 1 but before the following spring's election, the appointee must stand for election in the next spring election—beginning with the second spring election from the time of the appointment—in which no other justice is to be elected.[105][106]
The governor solicits recommendations from an Advisory Council on Judicial Selection in making his or her appointments, but is not required to choose one of the suggested appointees.[105][107]
Qualifications
To serve on the supreme court, a justice must be:
- a qualified elector in the state; and
- licensed to practice law in the state for at least five years immediately prior to appointment or election to the court.[105]
Selection of the chief judge
The chief justice of the supreme court is elected by a majority of the justices serving on the Court to serve a two-year term.
State profile
Demographic data for Wisconsin | ||
---|---|---|
Wisconsin | U.S. | |
Total population: | 5,767,891 | 316,515,021 |
Land area (sq mi): | 54,158 | 3,531,905 |
Race and ethnicity** | ||
White: | 86.5% | 73.6% |
Black/African American: | 6.3% | 12.6% |
Asian: | 2.5% | 5.1% |
Native American: | 0.9% | 0.8% |
Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
Two or more: | 2.1% | 3% |
Hispanic/Latino: | 6.3% | 17.1% |
Education | ||
High school graduation rate: | 91% | 86.7% |
College graduation rate: | 27.8% | 29.8% |
Income | ||
Median household income: | $53,357 | $53,889 |
Persons below poverty level: | 15% | 11.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Wisconsin. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. |
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Wisconsin
Wisconsin voted for the Democratic candidate in five out of the six presidential elections between 2000 and 2020.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, 23 are located in Wisconsin, accounting for 11.17 percent of the total pivot counties.[108]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Wisconsin had 21 Retained Pivot Counties and two Boomerang Pivot Counties, accounting for 11.60 and 8.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.
More Wisconsin coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Wisconsin
- United States congressional delegations from Wisconsin
- Public policy in Wisconsin
- Endorsers in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin fact checks
- More...
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The New York Times, "Live: Wisconsin Supreme Court and Statewide Election Results," accessed April 13, 2020
- ↑ WKOW, "Gov. Walker appoints Daniel Kelly to Wisconsin Supreme Court," accessed July 24, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Wisconsin Public Radio, "Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidates Debate Role Of Politics, Precedent," November 19, 2019
- ↑ WUWM, "Judge Jill Karofsky Wants To End 'Corruption' If Elected To Wisconsin Supreme Court," January 2, 2020
- ↑ Daniel Kelly's 2020 campaign website, "Judicial Philosophy," accessed January 23, 2020
- ↑ Wisconsin Vote, "Election Results," accessed February 18, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Judge Jill Karofsky on March 23, 2020," accessed March 24, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Judge Karofsky on March 22, 2020," accessed March 24, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Justice Daniel Kelly on March 21, 2020," accessed March 24, 2020
- ↑ Facebook, "Justice Daniel Kelly on March 19, 2020," accessed March 24, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Judge Jill Karofsky on March 16, 2020," accessed March 24, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Judge Jill Karofsky on March 13, 2020," accessed March 24, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Judge Jill Karofsky on March 10, 2020," accessed March 24, 2020
- ↑ Candidate Connection surveys completed before September 26, 2019, were not used to generate candidate profiles. In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 The Cap Times, "Editorial: Judge Jill Karofsky should be your first vote," April 2, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Judge Jill Karofsky on April 2, 2020," accessed April 8, 2020
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Shepherd Express, "Vote Ed Fallone or Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme Court in the February 2020 Primary Election," February 11, 2020
- ↑ Republican Party of Wisconsin, "ICYMI: President Donald J. Trump Endorsed Justice Daniel Kelly for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court," January 15, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J. Trump on April 3, 2020," accessed April 3, 2020
- ↑ 20.00 20.01 20.02 20.03 20.04 20.05 20.06 20.07 20.08 20.09 20.10 20.11 20.12 20.13 20.14 20.15 20.16 20.17 20.18 20.19 20.20 20.21 20.22 20.23 20.24 20.25 20.26 20.27 20.28 20.29 Jill Karofsky 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed March 16, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Justice Daniel Kelly on April 4, 2020," accessed April 8, 2020
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Channel 3000, "Bernie Sanders endorses Judge Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme Court," April 2, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Justice Daniel Kelly on April 3, 2020," accessed April 8, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Glenn Grothman on April 6, 2020," accessed April 8, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Judge Jill Karofsky on March 4, 2020," accessed March 9, 2020
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Twitter, "Justice Daniel Kelly on March 26, 2020," accessed March 26, 2020
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Twitter, "Judge Jill Karofsky on April 1, 2020," accessed April 2, 2020
- ↑ 28.00 28.01 28.02 28.03 28.04 28.05 28.06 28.07 28.08 28.09 28.10 28.11 28.12 28.13 28.14 28.15 28.16 28.17 Daniel Kelly 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed March 16, 2020
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Joe Biden endorses Jill Karofsky for state Supreme Court while Donald Trump reaffirms backing of Daniel Kelly," April 4, 2020
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 The Wheeler Report, "Former Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold Endorse Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme Court," February 26, 2020
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 Twitter, "Justice Daniel Kelly on March 29, 2020," accessed March 30, 2020
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 Twitter, "Justice Daniel Kelly on March 10, 2020," accessed March 16, 2020
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 Green Bay Progressive, "Citizen Action endorses Ed Fallone and Jill Karofsky for Supreme Court," January 31, 2020
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Human Rights Campaign, "HRC Endorses Judge Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme Court," March 16, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Justice Daniel Kelly on February 12, 2020," accessed March 3, 2020
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 APG Wisconsin, "Teamsters Joint Council 39 Endorses Jill Karofsky For Wisconsin Supreme Court," March 4, 2020
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 Twitter, "Judge Jill Karofsky on February 21, 2020," accessed March 2, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Justice Daniel Kelly on January 7, 2020," accessed January 23, 2020
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Wisconsin Public Radio, "First Federal Lawsuit Filed Following Wisconsin's April 7 Election," April 13, 2020
- ↑ The Hill, "Supreme Court blocks Wisconsin from extending absentee voting deadline," April 6, 2020
- ↑ USA Today, "Wisconsin election will move forward after state Supreme Court overturns governor's order," April 6, 2020
- ↑ Politico, "Wisconsin governor orders stop to in-person voting on eve of election," April 6, 2020
- ↑ SCOTUSblog, "Wisconsin Republicans ask justices to intervene after lower court extends deadline for primary absentee ballots," April 4, 2020
- ↑ Wisconsin Public Radio, "Wisconsin GOP Leaders Take No Action On Election Changes, Seek To Block Absentee Balloting Extension," April 4, 2020
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 50.3 50.4 50.5 50.6 50.7 50.8 Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "Spring Pre-Election 2020 Report, Friends of Justice Daniel Kelly," March 30, 2020
- ↑ 51.00 51.01 51.02 51.03 51.04 51.05 51.06 51.07 51.08 51.09 51.10 51.11 51.12 51.13 51.14 51.15 Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "Spring Pre-Election 2020 Report, Jill for Justice," March 30, 2020
- ↑ Madison.com, "Tony Evers calls for absentee ballots for every voter, Senate leader calls request 'complete fantasy'," March 27, 2020
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin's election results could take days to tally because of the coronavirus outbreak," March 24, 2020
- ↑ United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, "Democratic National Committee v. Bostelmann: Opinion and Order," March 20, 2020
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Kelly, Karofsky trade more ethical punches at Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate forum," March 12, 2020
- ↑ [https://www.justicedanielkelly.com/national-rifle-association-endorses-justice-daniel-kelly/ Daniel Kelly 2020 campaign website, "Justice Daniel Kelly Receives Endorsement of National Rifle Association," February 17, 2020]
- ↑ Daniel Kelly 2020 campaign website, "Justice Daniel Kelly Receives Endorsement of Milwaukee Police Association," February 12, 2020
- ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 58.3 Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "Friends of Justice Daniel Kelly - Spring Pre-Primary 2020 report," accessed February 11, 2020
- ↑ Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "Fallone for Justice - Spring Pre-Primary 2020 report," accessed February 11, 2020
- ↑ 60.0 60.1 Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "Jill for Justice - Spring Pre-Primary 2020 report," accessed February 11, 2020
- ↑ Daniel Kelly 2020 campaign website, "Justice Daniel Kelly’s Campaign Announces Endorsement of Wisconsin Realtors Association," February 7, 2020
- ↑ WEAU, "Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidates speak at forum," February 3, 2020
- ↑ Jill Karofsky's 2020 campaign website, "Judge Jill Karofsky campaign launches first television advertisement," accessed February 3, 2020
- ↑ Appleton Post-Crescent, "Two Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates appear in Green Bay forum," February 1, 2020
- ↑ WSAW, "Kelly launches first ad in Wisconsin Supreme Court race," January 30, 2020
- ↑ Wisconsin Supreme Court, "State Supreme Court Debate Gets Personal," January 30, 2020
- ↑ WTAQ, "WI Supreme Court Candidate Forum," January 27, 2020
- ↑ American Constitution Society, "ACS Madison: Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidates’ Forum," November 19, 2019
- ↑ Daniel Kelly's 2020 campaign website, "Judicial Philosophy," accessed January 22, 2020
- ↑ 70.0 70.1 70.2 70.3 70.4 70.5 70.6 70.7 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Jill Karofsky's 2020 campaign website, "Home," accessed January 22, 2020
- ↑ 72.0 72.1 72.2 72.3 72.4 72.5 72.6 72.7 Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "Friends of Justice Daniel Kelly - January Continuing 2020 Report," January 15, 2020
- ↑ 73.0 73.1 73.2 Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "Jill for Justice - January Continuing 2020 Report," January 14, 2020
- ↑ Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "Jill for Justice - July Continuing 2019 Report," July 15, 2019
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed September 22, 2015
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed September 22, 2015
- ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," November 6, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee Election Commission votes to count at least 390 absentee ballots with postmark problems," April 13, 2020
- ↑ medRxiv, "No Detectable Surge in SARS-CoV-2 Transmission due to the April 7, 2020, Wisconsin Election," April 29, 2020
- ↑ National Bureau of Economic Research, "The Relationship between In-Person Voting, Consolidated Polling Locations, and Absentee Voting on Covid-19: Evidence from the Wisconsin Primary," May 20, 2020
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "2020 Spring Election and Presidential Preference Vote Election Voting and Registrations Statistics Report (formerly EL-190F)," accessed September 9, 2021
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Are Absentee Ballots Ever Rejected?" accessed April 9, 2020
- ↑ These figures are calculated based on statistics provided in post-election reports published by the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Due to inconsistencies in those reports, percentage values in this table may not add up to 100.
- ↑ In 2016 and earlier years, absentee ballots could be returned as late as the Friday following the election. Starting with the 2017 spring election, the absentee ballot return deadline was election day.
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "More Wisconsin Election Results," accesses April 4, 2019
- ↑ Twitter, "Judge Jill Karofsky on April 13, 2020," accessed April 16, 2020
- ↑ Dan Kelly 2020 campaign website, "Thank You," accessed April 16, 2020
- ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "Wisconsin’s Supreme Court Race: Don’t Project it Forward to the Fall," April 16, 2020
- ↑ University of Minnesota, "Wisconsin’s 2020 State Supreme Court Election By the Numbers," April 15, 2020
- ↑ Bloomberg, "We Can't Rely on the Supreme Court to Guard the 2020 Election," April 7, 2020
- ↑ National Review, "Fast Cases Make Bad Law: The Wisconsin Election Decision," April 6, 2020
- ↑ Vox, "How Wisconsin’s election disenfranchised voters," April 7, 2020
- ↑ Hot Air, "Wisconsin Feud Escalates: Walker Rips Evers’ Flip-Flops On Primary Delay," April 7, 2020
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Candidate Tracking by Office, 2017 Spring Election - 4/4/2017," accessed January 5, 2017
- ↑ WEAU.com, "Walker appoints Appeals Judge Bradley to WI High Court," October 9, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "Scott Walker appoints Rebecca Bradley to Supreme Court," October 10, 2015
- ↑ AP, "Wisconsin Summary Vote Results," accessed April 6, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Election Results," accessed April 6, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidates Registered 2015 Spring Election," January 8, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin Election Commission, "2015 Spring Election Results," accessed September 19, 2019
- ↑ Fox 6 News, Ann Walsh Bradley elected to a third term on Wisconsin Supreme Court, defeating James Daley," April 7, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin Court System, "Justice Ann Walsh Bradley," accessed February 13, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin Court System, "Wisconsin Supreme Court selects chief judges," June 28, 2013
- ↑ Wisconsin Court System, "Supreme Court," accessed September 18, 2014
- ↑ 105.0 105.1 105.2 105.3 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Wisconsin," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ 106.0 106.1 Wisconsin State Legislature, "Statutes, Chapter 8.50(4)(f)," accessed December 16 2016
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, "Walker's approach to the judiciary," September 21, 2013
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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