Federal Candidates

Reporting Campaign Finance Information

Candidates for federal office must register and file reports of campaign activities with the Federal Election Commission.

Information about how to register with the FEC.

IRS Requirements

Federal candidate committees may be required to file with the IRS. Click here for guidance.

      30 year of age, a citizen of the United States for 9 years and an inhabitant of the state at the time of the election. Article I, Section 3, U.S. Constitution.

      25 years of age, a citizen of the United States for 7 years and an inhabitant of the state at time of election. Article I, Section 2, U. S. Constitution. (Representative need not be a resident at the time they file nomination papers and executes declaration of candidacy. 61 Atty. Gen. 155).

      United States Senator is elected in the Fall General Election and serves a six-year term starting at noon on the third day of January. 

      Representative in Congress is elected in the Fall General Election and serves a two-year term starting at noon on the third day of January. Wisconsin has eight Representatives in Congress. Click here for a map of their districts.

      The names of candidates for President and Vice President are placed on the General Election ballot in Wisconsin by one of the following methods:

      Political organizations that have attained ballot status are currently the Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, Constitution, and Green parties.  The names of candidates for President and Vice President for these parties are placed on the General Election ballot when their names are certified to the Wisconsin Elections Commission by the state or national party chairperson.

      Political organizations that have not attained ballot status may file a Petition for Ballot Status (see below) with the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

      Independent Candidates for President and Vice President circulate and file nomination papers.  Please consult the ELIS-15 checklist below. 

      For deadlines and detailed information about procedures for getting on the General Election ballot as a candidate for President of the United States, as well as information with respect to the Presidential Preference Primary, please consult the memo below.

      Write-in candidates for President and Vice President must file a List of Presidential Electors (EL-167wr) and a Declaration of Candidacy (EL-162) with the Wisconsin Elections Commission no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 22, 2024.  The list must contain the names and addresses of one presidential elector from each of the 8 congressional districts and 2 presidential electors from the state at large.  The names of the candidates for President and Vice President must also be listed.