Marquette University Law School poll shows that most voters not "tuned in" to Supreme Court race

Marquette University Law School's Lubar Center Director Derek Mosley (left) and Marquette University Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin (right) at the recent poll results announcement on Feb. 25, 2026, at the law school. Photograph by Margo Kirchner.

By Margo Kirchner

The "punchline" of the latest Marquette University Law School Poll is that Wisconsin voters just have not "tuned into the races" this year, said poll director Dr. Charles Franklin at a lunch-time event at the law school today.

Two-thirds of registered voters participating in the latest poll are still undecided regarding both parties' primary candidates for governor and the Supreme Court race, said Franklin.

While the lack of interest in the partisan primary races could be explained by the length of time until they occur in the second half of the year, the nonpartisan Supreme Court election is less than six weeks away.

Franklin compared the public's awareness of last year's Supreme Court race to awareness of this year's race. In February 2025, 39% of registered voters polled had heard quite a bit about the April 2025 election between Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel. This year, just 6% of registered voters in the poll conducted between Feb. 11 and 19 reported having heard much about the Supreme Court race between Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judges Chris Taylor and Maria Lazar.

Out of likely voters, 15% reported a likely vote for Lazar, 22% reported a likely vote for Taylor, and 62% said they were undecided.

Similar percentages of respondents (23% as to Lazar and 21% as to Taylor) had no clear idea what the candidate stands for, while about 60% said they had not heard enough to know.

The poll report, which includes public opinion on candidates, elected officials, data centers, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, online betting, and other topics, is available here.

​When Lubar Center Director Derek Mosley asked Franklin how the public stands regarding data centers specifically, Franklin responded: "We don't like 'em."

The Supreme Court election is April 7. Franklin said he'll conduct another poll before then.

Meanwhile, for voters wanting to know more about the Supreme Court candidates:

• Their answers to Wisconsin Justice Initiative's questionnaire are posted in the WJI blog here.
• WJI is cohosting a candidate forum with Judge Maria Lazar at noon on Thursday, March 5, at the Milwaukee Bar Association, 747 N. Broadway, Milwaukee. The event is free and open to the public, no registration required.
• Marquette University Law School's Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education recorded a talk with Lazar on Feb. 17, with the recording available here.
• The Lubar Center will conduct a similar program with Taylor on Wednesday, March 18, at 12:15 p.m. at the law school, 1215 W. Michigan, Milwaukee. The event is free and open to the public with registration here. A recording should be available on the Lubar Center's webpage following the event.
• The candidates will participate in a debate at Marquette University Law School on Wednesday, March 25, 7 p.m.,  broadcast by Milwaukee's WISN 12.