High voter apathy toward Wisconsin politics along with continued polarization over national issues are the biggest takeaways from the recent Marquette Law School Poll.
Marquette Law Poll Director Charles Franklin broke down the results in a presentation at the Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education on Feb. 25. The poll results show that nearly two-thirds of Wisconsin’s electorate are not tuned into the upcoming elections. They also shed light on other issues concerning both statewide and national politics.
Here is a breakdown of the results.
Many undecided in Wisconsin Supreme Court race
Data from the survey found that while over two-thirds of all documented political groups say they are “almost certain” to vote in the April 7 State Supreme Court election, 66% remain undecided on their candidate to replace retiring Justice Rebecca Bradley.
Registered voters have a 9% favorable and 13% unfavorable view of conservative candidate, appeals court judge Maria Lazar. They also viewed the liberal candidate, appeals court judge Chris Taylor with a 15% favorable and 10% unfavorable view.
No clear Democratic frontrunner in governor’s primary
U.S. representative Tom Tiffany is widely expected to be the Republican nominee for Wisconsin governor after Washington County executive Josh Schoemann dropped out of the race at the end of January. While Andy Manske of Franklin, WI is also running, Tiffany was 33 points ahead of him in this latest poll.
“Since Schoemann dropped out of the race, this is sort of Tiffany’s race,” Franklin said.
The Democratic race is significantly more crowded. Former lieutenant governor and 2022 Senate candidate Mandela Barnes was nearly tied with State Assembly Representative Francesca Hong at the top, with 10% and 11% of respondents expressing their support for Barnes and Hong, respectively. Current Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez came in third with 6% of respondents indicating their support for her.
Franklin emphasized 65% of Democratic primary voters remain undecided, with months to go before primary votes are cast on Aug. 11.
“People haven’t made up their mind,” Franklin said. “They’re not paying a lot of attention to the race.”
Strong opposition to data centers in Wisconsin
The poll also showed significant opposition to the continued development of data centers in Wisconsin.
70% of registered voters said the costs of data centers outweigh the benefits. This number represents an increase from the previous Marquette Law School Poll released in October 2025, when only 55% of registered voters said that costs outweigh the benefits.
Franklin noted the large partisan divide over data centers that has emerged since the October poll. While opinions among Republicans remain relatively unchanged, opposition among independents and Democrats has increased 21% and 29%, respectively.
“In October, I said this was a new issue and that we may see partisan differences emerge,” Franklin said. “I now rest my case.”
Voters mentioned several reasons for their opposition to data centers. High water usage was a top concern, with electricity costs and overall energy consumption also cited as concerns in the latest poll. Supporters also highlighted several benefits, including job creation and the added tax revenue for the state.
Immigration, economy continue to polarize voters
Partisan divides remain over hot button national issues like approval of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with 44% approval and 56% disapproval.
87% of Republicans support ICE, and 76% of independents and 97% of Democrats disapprove.
Franklin said the partisan split over ICE is not unexpected, however it is notable that Republicans remain steadfast in their support for ICE even after recent acts of violence.
“There’s been a lot of talk that the events in Minneapolis would change the country’s opinions,” Franklin said. “I think it probably does change some independents, but it’s certainly not evaporating support for ICE among Republicans.”
This story was written by Sahil Gupta. He can be reached at [email protected].
