Liberal Judge Secures Court Seat, but Voter ID Amendment Steals the Spotlight
On Tuesday, Wisconsin voters made history in a closely watched spring election, delivering a dual outcome with significant implications for the state’s political landscape. In a high-stakes race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, liberal candidate Susan Crawford emerged victorious, securing a 10-year term and maintaining the court’s narrow 4-3 liberal majority. However, the bigger story may be the overwhelming passage of Question 1, a constitutional amendment that codifies a voter ID requirement into the state’s Constitution, marking a major win for election integrity advocates.
$100 Million Spent on the Race
Crawford, a Dane County Circuit Court Judge backed by Democrats, defeated conservative Brad Schimel, a Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge and former Republican Attorney General. The race, which became the most expensive state Supreme Court contest in U.S. history with over $100 million spent by out of state billionaires – George Soros, Alex Soros, Reid Hoffman, J.B. Pritzker, and Steven Spielberg backing Crawford, while Musk is recorded to have spent $14 million of his own funds backing Schimel in an election seen as testing the political momentum following President Donald Trump’s narrow victory in Wisconsin in November 2024. Despite support from Tesla CEO Elon Musk and an endorsement from Trump, Schimel couldn’t flip the court, ensuring liberal control for at least the next few years. Crawford’s win replaces retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, preserving the ideological balance established in 2023 when liberals gained the majority for the first time in 15 years.
The race’s stakes were high due to Democrats pushing for a redistricting of the congressional lines of the state that could flip two House seats to Democrats if they’re redistricting agenda is successful.
Yet, the night’s most decisive result came with Question 1. With 60.3% support, Wisconsin voters approved a measure to enshrine the state’s existing voter ID law into the Constitution, a move that makes it significantly harder to repeal or challenge. The amendment requires voters to present valid photographic identification—issued by the state, federal government, a Wisconsin-based tribal entity, or a college/university—to cast a ballot, with the legislature authorized to define acceptable IDs and exceptions. Provisional ballots remain an option for those without ID on Election Day, provided they present it later per state law.
Common Sense Voter ID
This constitutional change, pushed by lawmakers passed with an overwhelming majority, building on a 2011 statute upheld by a conservative Supreme Court in 2014. Common sense supporters, like State Rep. Patrick Snyder (R-Weston), argue it safeguards election integrity against potential fraud, especially with a liberal-leaning court now in place. Critics including the ACLU of Wisconsin and the League of Women Voters, argued that Voter ID “disenfranchises vulnerable groups”—such as seniors, students, and low-income voters—who they claim may struggle to obtain IDs. No matter the opinion of seemingly influential lobby groups, on Tuesday, the people have spoken.
The dual outcome reflects Wisconsin’s divided electorate. Crawford’s victory signals continued liberal influence over key issues like abortion rights and redistricting, which the Supreme Court may soon address. Meanwhile, the voter ID amendment, effective immediately, ensures its permanence.
