What's on the ballot? In Wisconsin, your future is at stake in April 1 election.

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25-03-2025

Maturity is being able to admit when you might have gotten it wrong. And, in this case, I actually really hope I was.
Recently, I lamented the fact that the latest Marquette Law School poll found a lot of Wisconsinites still didn't know much about the Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford.
I chalked it up to Trump-era attention-suck — the way his administration has been eating up every headline, every chyron, every algorithmic inch of our feeds. I couldn't help but compare it to the 2023 state Supreme Court race, which felt all consuming at the time and ended with record-shattering spring turnout.
In turn, I privately predicted this year's turnout would be lower.
But if early voting numbers are any indication of what's to come between now and when polls close on April 1, color me dead wrong.
As of March 20, the number of early ballots cast — including both in-person and returned absentee — was nearly double what it was at this same point in 2023.
Yes, it's only a couple days into early voting. But still – this matters.
It's a promising sign that the Wisconsin electorate has not shrunk in the face of overwhelming, exhausting barrage of news and ads surrounding yet another pivotal race.
If you haven't voted yet — or if you're still unsure what's even on your ballot — here's a quick rundown. The marquee race pits former Gov. Scott Walker-appointed conservative Waukesha judge and former Attorney General Brad Schimel against liberal Dane County judge Susan Crawford, first elected to the bench in 2018. The winner will shape the ideological balance of the court — which flipped 4-3 liberal in 2023 when Justice Janet Protasiewicz defeated Dan Kelly.
The 2023 race broke national spending records, and 2025 has already topped that. There's big money on both sides, but Elon Musk and his Super PAC have spent more than $10 million.
Voters will also choose the next Superintendent of Public Instruction — the person who oversees everything from teacher licensing to budgeting for Wisconsin's 421 public school districts. Should the Trump administration fully dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, the Wisconsin DPI Superintendent will have an unmatched degree of control and power over the trajectory of public education in the Badger State.
The incumbent, Jill Underly, is backed by Democrats and teacher unions. She's a longtime public educator who supports more school funding, better teacher pay and stronger local control.
Her critics would say she's dropped the ball on overseeing MPS and have also denounced her overhaul of school achievement standards last year.
Her challenger, Brittany Kinser, is an education consultant and charter school executive who once led a pro-voucher nonprofit. While she calls herself a 'Blue Dog Democrat,' her campaign is backed by the Wisconsin GOP and a number of figures in Wisconsin's right-wing media ecosystem. Her critics argue she would expand private school voucher programs that drain resources from public schools.
And what's a Wisconsin election without a statewide referendum? This year's statewide referendum asks whether Wisconsin's existing photo ID law — already among the strictest in the country — should be added to the state constitution.
Editorial: Elon Musk's despicable disinformation tampers with WI Supreme Court election
You already need an ID to vote in Wisconsin. This change would just make that rule nearly impossible to repeal or adjust, even if future courts or lawmakers tried.
Supporters say it protects election integrity. Critics say it's voter suppression wrapped in constitutional permanence. Also? Again … it's already a law.
Your ballot may also include local races — city council, school board, circuit judges — and referendums for things like school funding. You can preview your full ballot at myvote.wi.gov.
So, maybe the story of this election won't be low turnout. Maybe it'll be that — once again — Wisconsinites showed up. In the face of billionaire meddling, disinformation and constitutional sleight-of-hand, maybe we proved (again) that we're paying attention. That we still believe in public schools. In fair courts. In our own ability to shape what comes next.
Maybe this election is another reminder that democracy doesn't work unless we work it. And the good news? We still can. So, let's finish strong. Vote early. Vote informed. Vote like your future is on the ballot.
Kristin Brey is the "My Take" columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin spring elections will determine our future | Opinion