A majority of the state Supreme Court voted Wednesday to replace Justice Shirley Abrahamson as chief justice, hours after a constitutional amendment authorizing them to do so was certified, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
The four conservative justices on the high court elected Justice Patience Roggensack to be their leader. The Journal Sentinel reported Abrahamson, Justice Ann Walsh Bradley and Justice N. Patrick Crooks had not cast ballots by the time the majority had voted.
Justices may cast their votes for chief justice until Friday morning.
Abrahamson filed a pending lawsuit in federal court challenging the implementation of the amendment, which was passed by voters in the April 7 election. She argues the resolution should take effect when she is up for re-election in 2019.
U.S. District Judge James Peterson has twice declined motions from Abrahamson to block a potential vote to replace her while the matter is being heard. A hearing on the case is scheduled for May 15.
