The recent election for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court saw a record-breaking $100 million in campaign spending, attack ads, and national political attention. This trend of highly politicized and expensive judicial elections is not unique to Wisconsin, as state Supreme Court races across the country have become increasingly costly and vitriolic.
Experts warn that this Wisconsin election serves as a cautionary tale for what may come in Pennsylvania this November, where Democrats’ 5-2 majority on the court will be at stake. The politicized nature of judicial contests has also been seen in states like North Carolina and Kansas, where efforts are being made to shift towards judicial elections to align courts more closely with political goals.
As the trend of politicized court races continues to grow, concerns are raised about whether elections are the best way to fill seats on state Supreme Courts that are intended to be nonpartisan and make critical decisions about state laws and citizen initiatives. Some states, like Kansas and Pennsylvania, are preparing for similar Wisconsin-style elections in the near future, prompting discussions about the need for reforms in the judicial selection process.
With millions of dollars being poured into judicial campaigns, experts and lawmakers are advocating for reforms such as term limits, eliminating judicial re-elections, and improving the overall selection process to reduce the influence of money and politics on state Supreme Courts. As states brace for upcoming high-stake court races, the need for judicial reform becomes increasingly urgent.
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