Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Wisconsin

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Note: This article is not intended to serve as an exhaustive guide to running for public office. Individuals should contact their state election agencies for further information.


In order to get on the ballot in Wisconsin, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

  1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
  2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
  3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Wisconsin. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, see "Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Wisconsin." Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

DocumentIcon.jpg See state election laws

Year-specific filing information

2024

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Wisconsin in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Wisconsin, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Wisconsin U.S. Senate All candidates 2,000 N/A TBD Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Wisconsin in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Wisconsin, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Wisconsin U.S. House All candidates 1,000 N/A 6/3/2024 Source


For filing information from previous years, click "[Show more]" below.

Show more

2023

State supreme court

The table below details filing requirements for supreme court candidates in Wisconsin in the 2023 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Wisconsin, click here.

Filing requirements for supreme court candidates, 2023
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source Notes
Wisconsin Justice of the Supreme Court All candidates 2,000 N/A January 3, 2023 Source

2022

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Wisconsin in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Wisconsin, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Wisconsin U.S. Senate All candidates 2,000 N/A 6/1/2022 Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Wisconsin in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Wisconsin, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Wisconsin U.S. House All candidates 1,000 N/A 2022-06-01 Source

Governor

The table below details filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates in Wisconsin in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Wisconsin, click here.

Filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source Notes
Wisconsin Governor All candidates 2,000 N/A 6/1/2022 Source

2020

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Wisconsin in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Wisconsin, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2020
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
Wisconsin 1st Congressional District Recognized party 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 1st Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 2nd Congressional District Recognized party 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 2nd Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 3rd Congressional District Recognized party 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 3rd Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 4th Congressional District Recognized party 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 4th Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 5th Congressional District Recognized party 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 5th Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 6th Congressional District Recognized party 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 6th Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 7th Congressional District Recognized party 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 7th Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 8th Congressional District Recognized party 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source
Wisconsin 8th Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/1/2020 Source

State House

The table below details filing requirements for Wisconsin State Assembly candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Wisconsin State Assembly All candidates 200 N/A 6/1/2020 Source

State Senate

The table below details filing requirements for Wisconsin State Senate candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Wisconsin State Senate All candidates 400 N/A 6/1/2020 Source

2018

See also: State and federal candidate filing deadlines for 2018 and Wisconsin elections, 2018

See below for 2018 candidate filing deadlines.

June 1, 2018

2016

See also: Wisconsin elections, 2016

The calendar below lists important dates for political candidates in Wisconsin in 2016.

Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016
Deadline Event type Event description
January 5, 2016 Ballot access Last day for candidates to file nomination papers, declarations of candidacy and campaign registration statements for the spring election
January 15, 2016 Campaign finance January continuing report due
February 8, 2016 Campaign finance Spring pre-primary report due
March 28, 2016 Campaign finance Spring pre-election report due
June 1, 2016 Ballot access Last day for candidates to file nomination papers, declarations of candidacy and campaign registration statements for the general election
July 15, 2016 Campaign finance July continuing report due
August 1, 2016 Campaign finance Fall partisan primary report due
August 9, 2016 Election date State partisan primary election
September 27, 2016 Campaign finance Fourth Tuesday in September report due
October 31, 2016 Campaign finance Fall general election report due
November 8, 2016 Election date General election
Sources: Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Calendar of Election and Campaign Events," accessed January 11, 2016
Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "New Campaign Finance Laws Effective January 1, 2016," December 21, 2015

2015


2014


Process to become a candidate

Declaration of candidacy, 2013

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, Chapter 8

The filing process for both ballot-qualified party candidates and other candidates (e.g., independents, non-recognized party candidates, etc.) is the same. The filing procedure, however, does vary somewhat according to the type of office being sought. Please note that only ballot-qualified party candidates can participate in primaries.[1]

For federal and state candidates

A candidate for federal office must file a declaration of candidacy with the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The declaration of candidacy must state the following:[1][2]

  • that the individual is a candidate for the office named on the form
  • that the individual meets the qualifications for office, or will meet the qualifications by the time he or she assumes office if elected
  • that the individual will otherwise qualify for office if nominated and elected

The declaration of candidacy must be sworn before an individual authorized to administer oaths. The declaration of candidacy must be filed by 5:00 p.m. on June 1 preceding the election (if June 1 falls on non-business day, the form will be due on the next preceding business day).[1][2][3][4]

In addition to the declaration of candidacy, the candidate must submit nomination papers to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The number of signatures required varies according to the office being sought. Requirements are summarized in the table below.[1][3][4]

Nomination paper signature requirements for federal candidates
Office Minimum signatures Maximum signatures
U.S. Senator 2,000 4,000
U.S. Representative 1,000 2,000
State senator 400 800
State representative 200 400
State supreme court justice 2,000 4,000

Nomination papers must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on June 1 preceding the election (if June 1 falls on non-business day, the form will be due on the next preceding business day).[1][3][4]

Write-in candidates

On April 2, 2014, Governor Scott Walker signed into law AB 419, which requires that write-in candidates file campaign finance statements in order to have their votes tallied. Otherwise, there are no specific filing requirements for write-in candidates.[5]

Petition requirements

See also: Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, Chapter 8, Section 40

In some cases, candidates may need to obtain signatures via the petition process to gain access to the ballot. This section outlines the laws and regulations pertaining to petitions and circulators in Wisconsin.

Format requirements

Each sheet of a petition must include the word "PETITION" at the top in boldface type. Any individual signing a petition must include his or her signature, address, and date of signing.[6]

Nomination papers

Nomination papers cannot be circulated prior to April 15 in the year of the election. Nomination papers for ballot-qualified party candidates must include the following text at the top:[7]

“ I, the undersigned, request that the name of (insert candidate's last name plus first name, nickname or initial, and middle name, former legal surname, nickname or middle initial or initials if desired, but no other abbreviations or titles) residing at (insert candidate's street address) be placed on the ballot at the (general or special) election to be held on (date of election) as a candidate representing the (name of party) so that voters will have the opportunity to vote for (him or her) for the office of (name of office). I am eligible to vote in (name of jurisdiction or district in which candidate seeks office). I have not signed the nomination paper of any other candidate for the same office at this election.[8] ”

Similarly, nomination papers for independent or non-recognized party candidates participating in the general election must include the following text at the top:[9]

“ I, the undersigned, request that the name of (insert candidate's last name plus first name, nickname or initial, and middle name, former legal surname, nickname or middle initial or initials if desired, but no other abbreviations or titles), residing at (insert candidate's street address) be placed on the ballot at the (general or special) election to be held on (date of election) as a candidate [(representing the (name of party)) or (representing the principle(s) of (statement of principles))] so that voters will have the opportunity to vote for (him or her) for the office of (name of office). I am eligible to vote in the (name of jurisdiction or district in which candidate seeks office). I have not signed the nomination paper of any other candidate for the same office at this election.[8] ”

Circulator requirements

A circulator certification statement must be included at the bottom of each sheet of a petition. This certification must state the following:[6]

“
  • that the circulator personally circulated the petition and personally obtained each signature included in the petition;
  • that the circulator knows that the signers are qualified electors of the jurisdiction or district in which the petition was circulated;
  • that the circulator knows that the individuals signed the petition with full knowledge of its contents;
  • that the circulator knows the residences provided by the petition signers;
  • that the circulator knows that each signer signed on the date indicated;
  • that the circulator is a qualified elector of the state, or if not a qualified elector of the state, is a United States citizen age 18 or older who would be eligible to vote were he or she a resident of the state; and
  • that the circulator is aware that falsifying the certification is a punishable offense.[8]
 ”

Election-related agencies

See also: State election agencies

Wisconsin Elections Commission

Office address: 201 West Washington Avenue, Second Floor
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Mailing address: P.O. Box 7984
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7984
Phone: 608-266-8005
Toll-free: 866-VOTE-WIS
Fax: 608-267-0500
Website: http://elections.wi.gov/
Email: elections@wi.gov
U.S. Vote Foundation Logo.jpeg

Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.

Term limits

State executives

State Executive Officials
See also: State executives with term limits and States with gubernatorial term limits

There are no term limits placed on Wisconsin state executives.

State legislators

See also: State legislatures with term limits

There are no term limits placed on Wisconsin state legislators.

Congressional partisanship

Portal:Legislative Branch
See also: List of United States Representatives from Wisconsin and List of United States Senators from Wisconsin

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the congressional delegation from Wisconsin.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Wisconsin
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 1 2 3
Republican 1 6 7
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 0 0
Total 2 8 10

State legislative partisanship

Portal:State legislatures

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the state legislature of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin State Senate

Party As of January 2024
     Democratic Party 11
     Republican Party 22
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 33

Wisconsin State Assembly

Party As of January 2024
     Democratic Party 35
     Republican Party 64
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 99

Related legislation

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The embedded table below lists state bills affecting ballot access requirements for candidates introduced in Wisconsin. The following information is included for each bill:

  • State
  • Bill number
  • Official name or caption
  • Most recent action date
  • Legislative status
  • Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized alphabetically, first by state and then by bill number. To view additional results, use the arrows in the upper-right corner of the table. For more information about a particular bill, simply click the bill number. This will open a separate page with additional information.

Ballotpedia’s comprehensive Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker is the basis for this data. This user-friendly tracker covers thousands of election-related bills in state legislatures, and organizes them by topic with neutral, expert analysis from Ballotpedia’s election administration researchers.

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See also

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External links

Official state and federal links

Other information

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Government Accountability Board, "Ballot Access Manual (2020)," accessed May 30, 2023
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, "Chapter 8, Section 21," accessed May 30, 2023
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, "Chapter 8, Section 20," accessed May 30, 2023
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, "Chapter 8, Section 15," accessed May 30, 2023
  5. ↑ Ballot Access News, "Wisconsin Will No Longer Count Write-in Votes Unless Write-in Candidate Files Paperwork," May 17, 2014
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, "Chapter 8, Section 40," accessed May 30, 2023
  7. ↑ Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, "Chapter 8, Section 15," accessed May 30, 2023
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  9. ↑ Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, "Chapter 8, Section 20," accessed May 30, 2023
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