On April 3, Dane County will hold Spring Elections to elect state offices for Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judge, District IV, Circuit Court Judges, and two school board seats. Here is a brief overview of the positions and candidates voters will elect on Tuesday.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the final judge for cases in the state. The seven justices receive thousands of requests for hearings each year. The Court's job is to check the actions of the Governor, state assembly, the state police, and other government officials to make sure they do not overstep their powers. A justice would help to resolve national issues that reach the court systems such as women’s right to abortion or means of U.S. Citizenship.
Michael Screnock
Campaign Website: https://www.judgescrenock.com/
Rebecca Dallet
Campaign Website: https://www.dalletforjustice.com/
Court of Appeals Judge, District IV
Appeals courts consist of three judges and do not use a jury. A court of appeals hears challenges to district court decisions from courts located within its circuit, as well as appeals from decisions of federal administrative agencies. District courts hold federal trials.
Joanne F. Kloppenburg (incumbent)
Wisconsin Court System Page:https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/appeals/judges/kloppenburg.htm
Circuit Court Judge
The circuit courts hold both trials and appeals for cases decided by district courts. According to the Wisconsin Circuit Court website, the circuit courts have original jurisdiction in all civil and criminal matters within the state, including probate, juvenile, and traffic matters, as well as civil and criminal jury trials.
Dane County, Branch 1
Marilyn Townsend
Campaign Website: https://www.marilyntownsendforjudge.com/
Susan M. Crawford
Campaign Website: https://www.crawford4judge.com/
Dane County, Branch 8
Frank D. Remington (incumbent)
Ballotpedia Page: https://ballotpedia.org/Frank_Remington
Dane County, Branch 11
Ellen K. Berz (incumbent)
Ballotpedia Page: https://ballotpedia.org/Ellen_Berz
Madison Metropolitan School District School Board Member
The Madison Board of Education is a seven-member policymaking body. Members of the Madison Board of Education are elected in April and serve a three-year term.
According to the Madison Metropolitan School District Website, the Board of Education serves to:
- Establish policies for the Madison Metropolitan School District
- Approve and oversee the school district budget
- Serve as good stewards of taxpayer funds, and levy taxes as needed
- Hire and supervise the Superintendent of Schools
- Establish board committees and vote on board executives
- Lobbying lawmakers and advocating on behalf of the Madison schools
- Representing constituents, soliciting input on key decisions and listening to concerns and needs of the community
Seat 1
School Assignments:
Elementary — Allis, Glendale, Lindbergh, Schenk, Shorewood
Middle School — Sherman, Whitehorse
High School — Memorial
Gloria Reyes
Campaign Website: https://www.gloriareyesforschoolboard.com/
Anna Moffit (incumbent)
Campaign Website: https://annamoffitformadison.com/
Seat 2
School Assignments:
Elem — Chavez, Crestwood, Gompers, Kennedy, Orchard Ridge, Stephens
Middle — Badger Rock, Sennett
Mary P. Burke (incumbent)
Ballotpedia Page: https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Burke_(Wisconsin)
Constitutional Amendment
In addition to voting to elect the state offices above, voters will also be asked to vote on the following question:
Explanation: If the articles are amended, the state treasurer position will be eliminated from the Wisconsin Constitution and the state treasurer will be replaced with the lieutenant governor as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. Article VI of the Wisconsin Constitution says a state treasurer is elected every four years. The Constitution lists that the only duty for the Treasurer is to serve as one of three members on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, which is accountable for the sale of school and university property and the investment of funds from these sales. Article X states that the other two members of that Board are the Attorney General and Secretary of State. Then the addition of Article XIV onto the Constitution deletes the office of state treasurer.
According to Wisconsin Attorney General Brad D. Schimel’s explanatory statement of the proposed constitutional amendment:
- A vote for “yes” on this question would eliminate the constitutional office of Treasurer. It would move to replace the Treasurer with the Lieutenant Governor as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.
- A vote for “no” would retain the constitutional office of the Treasurer under Article VI. The Treasurer would also continue to serve as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.
