View and download the state court brochures in English and Spanish

Let’s Take a Look at Wisconsin’s Courts

Don't just be a voter. Be an informed voter.

• Did you know? In Wisconsin, judicial elections are nonpartisan and judges are elected in April.
• Like all elected officials, judges are accountable to their constituents. The best way to hold a judge accountable is to vote in every election.

Learn about the candidates before voting:

• Visit VOTE411.org and ballotpedia.org
• Seek nonpartisan sources of information, find forums, and check out their qualifications and records
  
• Vote for the candidate who bestaligns with your values

OUR FAIR COURTS POSITION

• Our vision for the courts is a system where all Wisconsin people have equal access to fair, unbiased decisions, that courts are reflective of the people they serve, and are insulated from the corrosive impact of partisan politics and wealthy special interests.

OVERVIEW

A. Supreme Court

• 7 justices; 10-year terms
• Wisconsin's highest court
• Establishes code of conduct, training requirements and procedural rules for Wisconsin judges and attorneys
• Justices decide which cases to review from the lower courts

B. Court of Appeals

• 16 judges; 6-year terms
• Appellate Courts are seated in the four districts: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wausau, and Madison
• Mandatory review of cases from the circuit courts

C. Circuit Courts

• 253 judges; 6-year terms
• Circuit courts seated within counties
• Main trial courts for civil and criminal cases and can review cases from municipal courts

D. Municipal Courts

• 232 judges; 4-year terms
• Municipal courts are seated in towns, cities, and villages
• Review cases relating to local ordinances, traffic fines, etc.

WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT THE COURTS?

Our courts take on issues that impact us all. Their rulings decide education policy, voting rights, labor rights, economic development and more.

In Wisconsin, some key cases include:

Wisconsin Legislature v. Palm (2020)

• The Wisconsin Supreme Court (SCOWI) ruled that COVID-19 stay-at-home orders were unenforceable.

Johnson v. Wisconsin Elections Commission (2022)

• SCOWI had the ultimate say regarding voting maps. The courts chose gerrymandered maps that are not representative of voters.

STRENGTHENING THE COURTS

A. What Should I Expect From Judges?

Unlike some other elected officials, judges are nonpartisan and should act with judicial impartiality. This means they should look at cases on an individual basis without inserting personal bias or allowing outside influence on their decisions.

B. Recusal

Recusal is when a judge steps aside from a case where their impartiality may be questioned--such as a case involving a major donor. Unlike many other states, Wisconsin doesn't have any recusal rules.

C. Remove Dark Money

Dark money is campaign funding from undisclosed donors. In Wisconsin, high profile judicial races attract millions of dark money dollars. Voters deserve transparency in government.

D. Wisconsin Judicial Commission

This body holds judges and court commissioners accountable for misconduct. It aims to preserve the integrity of the judicial process.