On Tuesday, April 4, Wisconsinites will go to the polls to vote in the 2023 Spring Election. It’s super important.
Everyone in Wisconsin will vote for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. If Janet Protasiewicz wins, the court will flip to a 4-3 liberal majority—the court’s first liberal majority in 14 years. If Daniel Kelly wins, conservatives will maintain their current 4-3 majority. The winner will be appointed to a 10-year term.
There are other races, too. This super-simple voting guide covers contested races in Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee. (Oh, and those super-confusing referendum questions, too.) Use the ever-handy MyVote Wisconsin to find out where to vote and what will appear on your ballot.
VOTE.
EVERYONE IN WISCONSIN
Justice of the Supreme Court
• Janet C. Protasiewicz (liberal)
• Daniel Kelly (conservative)
State of Wisconsin Conditions of Release Before Conviction Referendum – Question 1
“Conditions of release before conviction. Shall section 8 (2) of article I of the constitution be amended to allow a court to impose on an accused person being released before conviction conditions that are designed to protect the community from serious harm?”
Conservative lawmakers backed the inclusion of this referendum. Vote YES if you agree with it and/or tend to agree with conservative stuff. Vote NO if you don’t agree with it and/or tend to agree with liberal stuff.
State of Wisconsin Cash Bail Before Conviction Referendum – Question 2
“Cash bail before conviction. Shall section 8 (2) of article I of the constitution be amended to allow a court to impose cash bail on a person accused of a violent crime based on the totality of the circumstances, including the accused’s previous convictions for a violent crime, the probability that the accused will fail to appear, the need to protect the community from serious harm and prevent witness intimidation, and potential affirmative defenses?”
Conservative lawmakers backed the inclusion of this referendum. Vote YES if you agree with it and/or tend to agree with conservative stuff. Vote NO if you don’t agree with it and/or tend to agree with liberal stuff.
State of Wisconsin Welfare Benefits Referendum – Question 3
“Shall able-bodied, childless adults be required to look for work in order to receive taxpayer-funded welfare benefits?”
Conservative lawmakers backed the inclusion of this referendum. Vote YES if you agree with it and/or tend to agree with conservative stuff. Vote NO if you don’t agree with it and/or tend to agree with liberal stuff. It is a non-binding referendum.
EVERYONE IN MILWAUKEE COUNTY
Court Of Appeals Judge – District 1
• Bill Brash (incumbent; endorsed by the Milwaukee Police Association, Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Local 215, all other court of appeals judges, more)
• Sara Geenen (labor and employment lawyer; endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, Democratic Party of Milwaukee County, Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, more)
Milwaukee County Abortion Referendum
“Should Wisconsin Statute 940.04, which bans abortion at any stage of pregnancy without exception for rape, incest, or health of the patient, be repealed to allow legal access to abortion care?”
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors backed the inclusion of this referendum by a 14-3 vote. You probably know where you stand on the issue. It is a non-binding referendum.
EVERYONE IN CITY OF MILWAUKEE
Milwaukee Municipal Judge Branch 2
• Molly Gena (managing attorney for Legal Action of Wisconsin; endorsed by Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, Milwaukee Area Labor Council, Wisconsin Justice Initiative Action, more)
• Lena C. Taylor (member of Wisconsin Senate since 2004; has unsuccessfully run for mayor, county executive, more; 73% of area attorneys surveyed say she isn’t qualified)
Milwaukee Public School District School Board Member – At Large
• Jeff Spence (former member of MPS Board, 1999-2015)
• Missy Zombor (endorsed by former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, State Senator Chris Larson, Milwaukee County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez, more)
DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU LIVE IN CITY OF MILWAUKEE
Milwaukee Public School District School Board Member – District 1
• Marva Herndon (incumbent; endorsed by former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, Alderperson Marina Dimitrijevic, more)
• Shandowlyon Hendricks Reaves (endorsed by former State Representative and Milwaukee County Supervisor Elizabeth Coggs, more)
Milwaukee Public School District School Board Member – District 3
• Gabi Hart (endorsed by former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, community activist Vaun Mayes, more)
• Darryl Jackson (Vice President of Business Development at Brothers Infrastructure Group Construction)
Milwaukee Alderperson – District 1
• Andrea Pratt (daughter of former Mayor Marvin Pratt; equity specialist at Office of Equity and Inclusion; chair of Rufus King Neighborhood Association)
• David Bowen (endorsed by State Senator Chris Larson, Alderperson Marina Dimitrijevic, former Alderperson Nikiya Dodd, more)
Milwaukee Alderperson – District 5
• Annette Jackson (previously worked in Department of Neighborhood Services, Milwaukee Water Works, more)
• Lamont Westmoreland (endorsed by former MPD Assistant Police Chief Ray Banks, former MPS Board member Jeff Spence, Alderperson Scott Spiker, more)
Milwaukee Alderperson – District 9
• Odell Ball (former educator at Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Marquette University)
• Larresa Taylor (current educator at Milwaukee Public Schools)
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