Wisconsin’s upcoming Supreme Court race is drawing significantly less spending and voter awareness compared to the state’s two most recent high-profile judicial elections, according to Wisconsin Watch.
The race between Dane County Judge Chris Taylor and Waukesha County Judge Maria Lazar follows the record-breaking 2023 and 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, but features lower outside funding, advertising and media coverage, according to UW political science professor Barry Burden.
“Voter awareness is quite low,” Burden said. “Most Wisconsin residents are not tuned into the race, are not familiar with the candidates and are not prepared to make a decision.”
While awareness has increased slightly as the election approaches, it remains well below levels seen at comparable points in past Supreme Court elections, according to Burden. Lower awareness is expected to translate into reduced turnout, Burden said.
The drop in engagement is paired with a sharp decline in campaign spending, according to Burden. Lazar has received $50,000 in out-of-state donations to her campaign, while Taylor has received just under $355,000, according to recent Badger Herald coverage. The 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race exceeded $100 million, making it the most expensive state Supreme Court Election in U.S. history, while the 2023 election reached roughly $50 million, Burden said.
“It’s hard to believe it’s the same office that’s being contested,” Burden said.
One key contributing factor is that control of the court is not at stake, according to Burden. Liberals hold a 4-3 majority that cannot be lost.
Because the balance is not in question, national political groups and major donors have been less likely to invest heavily, reducing the overall intensity of the race, according to Burden.
The absence of campaign spending funds, advertising and outreach efforts that help inform voters contributes to low voter awareness, Burden said.
In recent cycles, high spending and strong national narrative drew voter interest, according to Burden. The 2023 election centered in part on abortion rights following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which had immediate effects in Wisconsin, while the 2025 race served as an early political test during President Donald Trump’s administration and included involvement from high profile figures such as Elon Musk, according to Burden.
“In the last two elections, there were big national factors at play,” Burden said. “This time around, they are not in the same way.”
The lower level of engagement is also evident among college students, according to Burden. Student turnout in spring judicial races is typically low unless a specific issue drives interest, Burden said.
Timing may further affect participation, as UW’s spring break coincides with early voting and the final stretch of the campaign, Burden said. Some students may be away during the most active period of outreach and return shortly before election day, Burden said.
Ultimately, the main factor lowering voting incentives is that voters are not considering whether their vote will impact the ideological makeup of the court, according to Burden.
“I think that’s kind of shortsighted because these candidates serve for 10 years, so things might be very different by the end of their term than things are now,” Burden said.
