'It's All on the Honor System:' UW Political Scientist on SCOWIS Recusals

Friday, March 31st, 2023 -- 9:01 AM

(WRN) -Candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court have said they’ll recuse themselves from any cases in which a conflict of interest may arise.

UW-Madison political scientist, Barry Burden, “This is all on the honor system. And this might be the real weakness in the election system used to pick justices in Wisconsin. Justices can choose on what cases they feel like they don't have a conflict of interest and can go impartially, and where they need to step aside.”

“The justices could get together and write themselves a clear set of guidelines about recusal rules and when conflict of interest is invoked. And that would help to at least put guardrails on some of the concerns about this wide open election process.”

Conservative former Justice Dan Kelly and Liberal Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz are contesting the election which will determine which faction holds a majority on the court for the next ten years.

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