Wisconsin Supreme Court Shake-Up: Liberals Gain Control – What Happens Now?

In a pivotal shift, Wisconsin’s Supreme Court now tilts liberal for the first time in 15 years after Justice Janet Protasiewicz’s decisive victory. This historic change could reshape the state’s legal landscape, impacting everything from abortion rights to election laws. Here’s what’s at stake.

The Power Shift: A New Era Begins

With a 4-3 liberal majority, the court is expected to revisit key rulings that have defined Wisconsin’s conservative governance. Legal experts predict immediate challenges to:

• Abortion bans – A 1849 law criminalizing abortion could be overturned.
• Voting rights – Gerrymandered legislative maps may face judicial scrutiny.
• Union powers – Past rulings weakening labor unions might be reversed.

First Test: Redistricting Battles

One of the earliest flashpoints will likely be Wisconsin’s heavily gerrymandered districts. Republicans have controlled the legislature for over a decade thanks to maps rated among the nation’s most skewed. Advocacy groups are already preparing lawsuits demanding fairer representation.

Controversial Precedents in the Crosshairs

The court’s new majority could overturn recent conservative rulings, including:

1. Voter ID laws – Strict requirements may be loosened.
2. Ballot drop boxes – Banned in 2022, they could return for future elections.
3. Environmental regulations – Weakened protections might be restored.

Republican Backlash Looms

GOP leaders warn of "judicial activism," threatening legislative maneuvers to curb the court’s authority. Some conservatives even floated impeachment for Protasiewicz over her campaign statements—a move legal scholars call unprecedented and destabilizing.

"This isn’t just about one justice—it’s about whether Wisconsin follows national trends or becomes a progressive counterweight," said Marquette University law professor Derek Black.

What Do You Think?

• Should judges who campaign on specific issues (like abortion) recuse themselves from related cases?
• Is impeaching a justice over political disagreements a dangerous precedent?
• Could Wisconsin’s reforms inspire similar pushes in other swing states?
• Does this ruling make Wisconsin a 2024 presidential election wildcard?