Madison voters, get ready. 2026 is going to be another busy election year, with momentous decisions on the ballot in both the spring and fall.
It all starts with the spring election primary on Tuesday, Feb. 17, and in-person absentee voting starts today. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks to Isthmus staff writer Liam Beran about what’s on the ballot this spring.
Here’s more of what you need to know – how to vote, who’s on the ballot, and what’s at stake.
Ready To Vote?
Go to myvote.wi.gov to make sure you’re registered to vote. At this point, it's too late to register online or by mail for the Feb. 17 election, but you can still do it in person. You can register now in person at the Madison City Clerk’s office in the City County Building, or at any in-person absentee voting location through Feb. 13. Or you can wait and register at your polling place on Election Day.
In-person absentee voting starts today at several locations in Madison (not necessarily the same as your local polling place.) Make sure to bring your voter ID.
Who’s On the Primary Ballot Feb. 17?
There are several Dane County races with primaries on the ballot.
All Dane County voters will cast ballots in the election for Dane County Circuit Court Branch 1, with incumbent Judge Ben Jones running against challengers Huma Ahsan and Nathan Wagner.
A couple of Dane County Supervisor races will also have contested primaries. In District 12, which covers the north side of Madison, including the Dane County Regional Airport, Sup. Tommy Rylander is running against challengers Otis Harris Jr. and Sean Burke.
In District 15, there is a rare open race after Sup. April Kigeya moved outside of her district on the far west side. Amy Larson — who’s running for the seat — was appointed to fill the seat until the April 7 general election. (Though her appointment still needs to be confirmed by the full board.) In the Feb. 17 primary, Larson is running against Rick Cruz and Anthony “Nino” Amato. Last year, Amato lost a race for Madison City Council District 19 by just nine votes.
What’s the Big Race on April 7?
The big race on the spring general election ballot will be a contest for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court left by departing conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley. Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Chris Taylor, who is backed by Democrats, will face another Wisconsin appeals court judge, Maria Lazar, who is backed by Republicans.
While the court is technically nonpartisan, recent races have become the focus of intense partisan interest and record spending levels, given that the court could make decisions on everything from abortion rights to legislative redistricting.
The court currently has a 4-3 slant in favor of its progressive wing, which means that if Lazar wins, that 4-3 balance will remain. If Taylor wins, it will shift the court even further to the left with a 5-2 majority.
While the Lazar-Taylor race has seemed quieter compared to recent hotly contested Wisconsin Supreme Court races, that could change as the election draws nearer. Recently, the candidates split on the hot-button issue of federal immigration disputes, with Lazar saying such disputes are a federal issue, and Taylor saying state courts should play a role.
Who Else Is On the April 7 Ballot?
Two of the seven seats on the Madison School Board are up for election, with Seat 6 incumbent Blair Mosner Feltham facing challenger Daniella Molle, and Seat 7 incumbent Nicki Vander Meulen faces challenger Dana Colussi-Lynde.
If you live in an even-numbered Madison City Council district, your district is on the ballot this spring. (Odd-numbered districts are up for a vote in 2027.)
There are only a handful of contested races for the council. In District 8, with Ald. MGR Govindarajan stepping down, UW-Madison students Bobby Gronert and Ellen Zhang are vying for the seat.
In District 14, with Isadore Knox Jr. stepping down, Kate Blood and Noah Lieberman are competing to represent the district covering parts of south Madison near Monona.
And in District 18, the only district in which an incumbent is defending their seat, Ald. Barbara Harrington-McKinney is being challenged by Islam Khilji.
All 37 seats on the Dane County Board are also up for election on April 7.
