The Wisconsin Supreme Court has become the central battleground over voter ID and election integrity measures, with its recent rulings reshaping how elections are conducted in the state. With a liberal majority now in control, prior legal decisions that upheld voter ID and ballot security measures are being revisited, raising concerns among voters who overwhelmingly support these policies.

The Court has already overturned a 2022 ruling that limited the use of absentee ballot drop boxes. In Teigen v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, the previous conservative majority ruled that absentee drop boxes violated state law. However, in Priorities USA v. Wisconsin Elections Commission (2024), the new liberal majority reversed that decision, demonstrating a willingness to upend precedent. The only change in the Court was the election of Justice Janet Protasiewicz, replacing conservative Justice Patience Roggensack.

This shift has sparked speculation that voter ID laws, previously upheld in Milwaukee Branch of the NAACP v. Walker and League of Women Voters v. Walker (2014), could face similar reversals. Progressive activists continue to challenge voter ID requirements, arguing they are a form of suppression, despite strong public support for the measure. If the Court overturns prior rulings, Wisconsin’s election security laws could be significantly weakened.

A February 2024 report from Pew Research found that 80% of Americans support requiring a photo ID to vote. This includes nearly all Republicans (95%) and a substantial majority of Democrats (69%). While voter ID is broadly favored across the political spectrum, the 26-point gap highlights the partisan differences in how strongly the measure is embraced. Similarly, Gallup’s 2022 polling showed similar nationwide approval, with 79% of respondents backing photo ID requirements for voting. These findings underscore the widespread belief that voter ID is a commonsense measure to ensure election integrity.

Beyond voter ID, the Court may also revisit the state’s congressional district maps. Legal challenges could result in court-imposed maps favoring Democrats, potentially flipping two U.S. House seats. This would mirror the Court’s recent intervention in legislative districting, where it overruled previous rulings to benefit Democrats.

The April 1 election for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat will determine whether the liberal majority expands, or conservatives regain influence. Brad Schimel, a strong proponent of voter ID, is running against Susan Crawford, who as an attorney sought to overturn voter ID. The outcome of this Supreme Court race could determine whether Wisconsin remains one of the 34 states that require voter identification or joins the 16 states where Democrats win 80 percent of Congressional elections. With a liberal court, Wisconsin’s voter ID law could be struck down in a 4-3 ruling, significantly altering future elections in the state.

With cases on absentee ballot rules, voter ID enforcement, and redistricting looming, the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s direction will shape the integrity of the state’s elections for years to come. Voters must recognize the stakes in the upcoming election and the potential consequences of the Court’s shifting balance.