Why the Wisconsin supreme court election matters – nationwide

Stakes are high as these judges often have the last word on major policy decisions in their states, from reproductive rights to voting policy and redistricting.

While the 4 April Wisconsin race is technically non-partisan, the two candidates have not shied away from taking positions on policies that align with political parties. The Democratic party has spent heavily on liberal candidate Janet Protasiewicz, while conservative candidate Dan Kelly has the backing of Republicans and top conservative donors.

The race is already the most expensive state supreme court election in US history, with over $37m in spending. The unprecedented spending and political debate begs the question of why partisan groups are permitted to get involved in the selection of supposedly nonpartisan judges, and why judges are directly elected at all?