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- calendar_today November 6, 2026
Madison’s Voter Preferences in the 2026 Governor Election
The 2026 race for Wisconsin governor saw a decisive victory for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, the Democratic candidate, in Madison. Crowley was expected to do well in the state capital, but his margin surpassed those seen in recent statewide contests. Nearly 90% of Madison voters cast their ballots for Crowley, surpassing the 2024 performance of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris by about five points and Gov. Tony Evers’ 2022 numbers by nearly two points.
Crowley and Tiffany: Comparing Madison Results
In contrast, Republican candidate U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany received less than 11% of Madison’s vote. Political observers, including President Donald Trump, have argued that without Trump on the ballot, Republican candidates in Madison face greater challenges. Trump managed to get over 15% of the Madison vote in 2024, which puts Tiffany’s 2026 performance in context.
Detailed Results by Neighborhood and Ward
Examining neighborhood-level data reveals notable differences in voting patterns across Madison’s wards:
- Ward 113, located on the far southwest side and including Hawk’s Landing Golf Club, was Tiffany’s strongest ward in Madison. He earned 521 votes (nearly 25%) out of over 2,000 cast, with Crowley collecting 1,587.
- Ward 114, near Full Compass Systems and south of Mineral Point Road, was Crowley’s top ward by raw vote total. He received 2,313 votes (more than 83%), compared to Tiffany’s 455 (over 16%). This area is also close to Epic Systems’ Verona campus.
Ward 19: Madison’s Votingest Neighborhood
Ward 19, on Madison’s east side, distinguished itself as the city’s number one in voter participation. The Olbrich Gardens polling place processed 2,201 voters. This turnout accounts for nearly 87% of the ward’s registered voters as of November 1. (It is noted that additional voters may have registered at the polls on Election Day, which would not be included in these figures.) Ward 114 also posted strong figures, suggesting it may be a contender for “votingest” status in future elections.
Other High-Turnout Wards in Madison
The city saw additional high participation in several other neighborhoods:
- Ward 80 (Nakoma neighborhood): 2,254 voters, over 84% turnout.
- Ward 40 (near Eastwood Boulevard): 2,129 voters, nearly 84% turnout.
- West-side neighborhoods such as Westmorland, Sunset Village, and Hill Farms reported strong turnouts, as did Marquette and Tenney-Lapham on the east side.
Student Wards and Voter Patterns
Madison’s downtown student wards also contributed significant raw numbers despite lower overall percentages, likely due to the more transient population. Wards 46 (Mansion Hill) and 54 (Bassett) each logged over 1,600 ballots cast. The lower percentages of voter turnout in these areas reflect a common trend in student-heavy neighborhoods.
Access to Results
Full results for Madison’s wards and other Dane County precincts can be viewed on the Dane County clerk’s website.
Source: isthmus.com.
