Fine v. Elections Board of Wisconsin

This case arises out of a dispute between petitioner-respondent Ralph Adam Fine and the State Elections Board over the manner in which petitioner Fine’s name was to appear on the official ballot for the Spring 1979 judicial election. Fine was a candidate for, and was ultimately elected to, Branch 34 of the Circuit Court for Milwaukee county.

Prior to the election Fine wrote to the Elections Board asking that he be permitted to appear on the ballot as “Ralph Adam Fine.” As a prominent member of the Milwaukee community, Fine had consistently used his full legal name, including first and middle…