Spring Election results

Lincoln County had a strong voter turnout at the Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Spring Election. With 18,810 registered voters in Lincoln County, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, and 11,042 voters actually voting in the April 1 Spring Election, the county had a 58.70% turnout.
Statewide races, including the highly-publicized and hotly-contested Wisconsin Supreme Court race, was the driving force behind the large turnout, although the election also decided which three of the four candidates running for seats on the Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) Board of Education would be successful and a few local contested races, as well.

Wisconsin Supreme Court
In the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court Judge, Susan Crawford emerged the winner, defeating Brad Schimel, to secure a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and maintain the court’s 4-3 liberal majority. While Crawford won by about a 55% to 45% margin in the state, Schimel came out on top in Lincoln County, receiving 6,363 votes compared to Crawford’s 4,617.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Incumbent State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly won the race against challenger Brittany Kinser. Statewide, Underly beat Kinser by roughly a 53% to 47% split. In Lincoln County, Kinser received 5,791 votes (roughly 58%), with Underly receiving 4,214 votes (about 42%).

State referendum
The statewide referendum asking whether or not the requirement for voters to show identification in Wisconsin elections should be made a part of the Wisconsin State Constitution was approved by approximately a 63% to 37% margin statewide. In Lincoln County, voters strongly supported the measure, with 8,020 voters (approx. 75%) voting yes and 2,695 (approx. 25%) voting no.
Wisconsin residents have been required by state law to provide an acceptable form of photo ID at the polls since 2011, but this will now add the requirement to the state’s Constitution.

MAPS Board of Education

In the race for MAPS School Board, all three incumbents were re-elected, with Jacqueline Gremler (4,195 votes), Paul Proulx (3,989 votes), and Jon Smith (3,576 votes) getting the most votes, while challenger Brady Loos got a respectable 3,235 votes, but not enough to win him a seat on the Board this time around.

Town of Russell Supervisor
In the race for the Town of Russell Board of Supervisors, Lori Studinski and Marty Sosnovske emerged the winners, receiving 130 votes and 125 votes, respectively, with Ivan Dorgan getting 110 votes.

Town of Schley Chairperson
Timothy Klimek and Kelly Collins faced off in the race for Town of Schley Chairperson, and Klimek won that race with 240 votes. Collins received 111 votes.

Town of Scott Supervisor
In the race for the Town of Scott Board of Supervisors, Ron Lemmer and Gerald Engel emerged the winners, receiving 328 and 302 votes, respectively, with Jeff Krall getting 163 votes.

Town of Rock Falls referendum
In the Town of Rock Falls, voters voted against having the positions of Town Clerk and Town Treasurer appointed by the Town Board. As to the position of Town Clerk being appointed, 174 voted no and 117 voted yes, and as to the position of Town Treasurer, 179 voted no and 113 voted yes.

City of Tomahawk referendum

In the City of Tomahawk, residents voted to keep fluoridation in the municipal water supply, with 579 voting in favor and 519 voting against. Other school referendums
In the Prentice School District, a referendum asking for $950,000 per year for four years was approved. Approximately 57% of voters supported the referendum compared to 43% voters who were opposed.
In the School District of Rhinelander, voters approved a referendum asking to exceed revenue limits by $7 million per year from the 2025-2026 school year to the 2028-2029 school year. The measure passed with approx. 54% voting in favor and 46% voting against.