Just when you thought the madness of the election season was put to rest for at least two more years, we have to start talking about yet another election! Yes, Wisconsin’s non-partisan spring elections are fast approaching. Although the spring elections tend to fly quietly under the radar of the statewide media, they are no less important than the fall partisan elections. Today I want to encourage you to educate yourself on the candidates and issues that will be on your ballot.

On Tuesday, April 3, ballots across the state will be filled with names of candidates vying for mayors, city councils, village and town boards and presidents, county boards, school boards, municipal courts, district courts, and circuit courts. Certainly these local races will have a great impact on your daily life. However, in addition to these local races, we also have one statewide race that will be on the ballot. Three candidates are running to fill a vacancy on the Wisconsin Supreme Court left by retiring Justice Jon Wilcox.

Under Wisconsin law, the people elect justices to sit ten-year terms on the state's highest court, the longest term for any elected official in the state. It’s important to note that the field of three candidates will be narrowed to two after a Tuesday, February 20, primary election. The two remaining will then compete in the general election on April 3.

Because of the importance of this Supreme Court race, we here at the Family Research Institute of Wisconsin have compiled a Voter Education FACT SHEET so you can cast an informed vote for the supreme court candidate of your choice. I encourage you to visit our Web site, www.fri-wi.org, fri-wi.org and navigate from the home page to our special Supreme Court 2007 Election page. Here you will find a great deal of information on all three candidates, including their biographies, judicial philosophy, legal experience, and web site addresses, as well as links to other online sources. If you don't have access to the Internet and would like to receive the print version of this Wisconsin Supreme Court Voter Education FACT SHEET, give our office a call, toll-free, at 888-378-7395 again toll-free, 888-378-7395.

Top priority for this judicial race is to familiarize yourself with the judicial philosophy of these three candidates. What a judge thinks about the role of a justice and the role of the court in general is extremely important, as we have seen numerous times in recent months and years.

Friends, if you don't think this supreme court race is important, let me remind you that there is much at stake. The current ideological balance of the court will be affected by the retirement of conservative jurist Justice Wilcox. Judicial watchdogs tell us that presently the court is comprised of three liberals, three conservatives, and one swing-vote moderate. Whoever is elected this spring will impact the balance. In addition, in the next few years the high court will most certainly see cases involving life, family and many other important issues affecting you and your family. So, please, log onto our Web site, fri-wi.org, or call us toll-free at 888-378-7395 and educate yourself on these judicial candidates and be ready to vote knowledgeably on Tuesday, February 20, in the spring primary.

Your local ballot on February 20 may include other races. Be sure to check with your municipal clerk well in advance of Tuesday, February 20, to find out exactly what will be on your ballot in addition to the statewide supreme court primary

For our democratic system to function well for the benefit of the people, it is incumbent upon us to actively and knowledgeably participate in the electoral process. I encourage you to find out which races and local referenda will be on your ballot this February 20 and April 3, and learn as much as you can about the candidates running for these local, county and state offices and the referenda you will be asked to vote on. The best place to find out what will be on your ballot is to contact your municipal clerk.

Friends, voter turnout for primaries is generally abysmal, especially if there isn't some high-profile race on the ballot. But consider how important one vote is when voter turn-out is low--your vote never means more! So, please, get informed about the Wisconsin Supreme Court primary and the other races that will be on your ballot. Make your plans now to cast the most informed vote you can on Tuesday, February 20, and Tuesday, April 3.

This is Julaine Appling for The Family Research Institute of Wisconsin reminding you the Prophet Hosea said, “ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”