On Tuesday April 5th, voters will choose a justice to serve on the state Supreme Court for the next 10 years. Justice Rebecca Bradley and Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg were the two top vote-getters in the February primary. Here, unedited, each candidate provides information on educational background, professional experience, awards, and professional memberships. Candidates also were asked to submit letters to the voters explaining why they should be elected and to identify one U.S. Supreme Court Justice they most respect.
On Tuesday April 5th, Wisconsin citizens will vote in their party’s presidential primary and choose municipal and local school officials. In some parts of the state, they will also elect circuit court judges.
However, only one race has impact that is statewide and lasting. Voters will elect a Supreme Court Justice to serve for the next ten years. Justice Rebecca Bradley is being challenged by Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg. Each candidate is profiled—in her own words—beginning on page two.
COURT OVERVIEW
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has seven justices: the chief justice and six associate justices. The chief is elected to a two-year term by a majority vote of justices serving on the court.
Currently, the chief justice is Patience Roggensack, who was elected in April 2015, shortly after voter approval of a constitutional amendment changing the selection process. Before that, the longest-tenured justice served as chief.
In Wisconsin, justices are elected to 10-year terms in nonpartisan elections. The method of selecting justices varies considerably among the states. Wisconsin is one of 14 that uses nonpartisan elections. Other methods include partisan elections, gubernatorial or legislative appointments, and nonpartisan nominating committees.
To add further complexity, some states grant justices lifetime appointments, similar to the U.S. Supreme Court, while others require justices to stand for election in “uncontested retention elections” after their initial appointment or election. To remain in office, justices facing these elections must receive support from a majority of voters.