You Won't Believe the 18 Surprising Races on Washington County's Ballot That Could Change Everything!

As spring approaches, Washington County is gearing up for its general election on Tuesday, April 7, with polling locations open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. A total of 18 contested races will be on ballots across the county, making this a critical opportunity for residents to influence local governance and policies.

To find out which specific races will be on your ballot, residents can visit myvote.wi.gov. This resource not only provides information about candidates and issues but also helps voters locate their polling places if they plan to vote in person.

It's important to note that all absentee ballots must be returned to your municipal clerk’s office or polling location by 8 p.m. on election day to ensure they are counted. This is a reminder for those who opted for mail-in voting to check their ballots and mailing timelines.

The Key Contested Races

The contested races encompass various levels of government, including judicial, county supervisory, municipal, and school board positions. Here are some highlights:

Judicial Elections

• Justice of the Supreme Court: Two candidates, Judge Chris Taylor and Judge Maria Lazar, are vying for the seat left open by Justice Rebecca Bradley, who decided not to seek re-election. The winner will serve a significant 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
• Washington County Circuit Court Branch 2: Judge Gordon Leech faces a challenge from Grant Scaife, an Assistant District Attorney, for this important judicial position.

Washington County Board of Supervisors

• District 1: Incumbent Supervisor Joe Vespalec will be challenged by Tom Funk.
• District 13: Danah Zoulek takes on incumbent Supervisor Brian J. Gallitz.

Municipal Elections

• Town of Barton: Incumbents Clayton Eggie and Bill Russell will face Ben Naylor, with the top two vote-getters securing seats.
• Germantown: There are multiple contested elections, including a challenge against incumbent Trustee David Baum by Scott L. Hefle in District 1.
• Kewaskum: Incumbent trustees Mary Schlitt, Justin D. Weninger, and Richard L. Knoebel are up against challenger Gary R. Gavin for three available seats.
• Richfield: Trustees Dan Neu and Jack Lietzau will compete against Danah Zoulek for two available seats.
• West Bend: Two contested elections are occurring for the Common Council, including a race for District 1 and District 7.

School Board Elections

• Cedarburg School Board: Three candidates, including incumbent Connie Kincaide, are competing for two available seats.
• Germantown School Board: Two races feature candidates Anne Utech against incumbent Kimberly L. Higginbotham and Richard Yu against Molly Bussie.
• Hartford Joint #1 School Board: Five candidates are vying for three positions, including both incumbent and challenger nominations.
• Lomira School District: The only contested race is for School Board member Zone 6, featuring Michele Vogelman and Ashley Billings.

This election cycle is particularly significant as it addresses local governance issues that directly impact residents’ daily lives—ranging from judicial appointments to local school board policies. With so many races at stake, community engagement and voting participation will be crucial in shaping Washington County's future.

As the election approaches, voters are encouraged to do their research, understand the candidates' positions, and make their voices heard at the ballot box.