Candidates for local offices should work with the filing officer for that office to ensure they are meeting all the requirements to get on the ballot.
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County Office |
County Clerk |
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Municipal Office |
Municipal Clerk |
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School Board |
School District Clerk |
The minimum qualifications to hold an office are:
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United States Citizenship
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At least 18 years of age (or older for certain offices)
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Satisfy residency requirement for specific office
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May not have been convicted of a felony in any court in the United States unless pardoned of the conviction.
Also, a candidate may not be disqualified by virtue of one or more of the impediments described in s 6.03, Wis. Stats.
These local offices are considered partisan which means that the candidate runs as a representative of a political party.
- Sheriff
- County Clerk
- County Treasurer
- Clerk of Circuit Court
- Coroner
- Register of Deeds
These offices are non-partisan which means the candidate does not run as a member of a political party.
- County Executive
- County Supervisor
- Municipal Offices (including mayor, alderperson, trustee, supervisor, municipal clerk and treasurer, constable, municipal judge, assessor)
- Multi-Jurisdictional Municipal Judge
- School District Candidates
- Special District Candidates
Required Documents to get on the Ballot
The CF-1L Local Candidate Registration Statement is available from Wisconsin Ethics Commission.
Note: A county may enact an ordinance establishing a code of ethics for public officials that may require a candidate for county office to file a Statement of Economic Interests (SEI). Please contact the county clerk to find out if this requirement applies.
The CF-1L Local Candidate Registration Statement is available from Wisconsin Ethics Commission.
Note: A municipality may enact an ordinance establishing a code of ethics for public officials that may require a candidate for municipal office, in addition to the office of municipal judge, to file a Statement of Economic Interests (SEI). Please contact the municipal clerk to find out if this requirement applies.
The CF-1L Local Candidate Registration Statement and Statement of Economic Interests (SEI) are available from Wisconsin Ethics Commission.
There are important residency requirements for local candidates. The requirements for each office are listed here.
Qualified elector of district at the time of filing nomination papers. Wis. Stat. § 59.20(1).
A qualified elector of the county at the time of filing nomination papers. Wis. Stat. § 59.20(1).
A qualified elector of the city and, if aldermanic district, a qualified elector* of the district and actually residing in the district at the time of election. Wis. Stat. §.62.09(2)(a).
A qualified elector of the city and an actual resident of the city at the time of election. Wis. Stat. § 62.09(2)(a).
A qualified elector of the jurisdiction at the time of election or appointment, Wis. Const. art. VII §10(1).
For village office, candidates must be a qualified elector at the time of taking office, except an assessor who is appointed under Wis. Stat. § 60.307. Wis. Stat. § 60.30(2)(a).
A qualified elector of the town at the time of taking office, except an assessor who is appointed under Wis. Stat. § 60.307. Wis. Stat. § 60.30(2).
At-Large Office: A qualified elector of the school district at the time of filing a Declaration of Candidacy. Wis. Stat. §§ 120.06(2), (6)(b)2.
Representative of an Apportioned Area: A qualified elector of the school district at the time of filing a Declaration of Candidacy and a resident of the apportioned area at the time of taking office (4th Monday in April). Wis. Stat. §§ 120.05(1)(d), 120.06(2), (4).
Registered Write-In Candidates
To register as a write-in candidate, you must file a CF-1L Local Candidate Registration Statement with the filing officer prior to collecting or spending any money on the campaign. The CF-1L form is available from the Wisconsin Ethics Commission or the local filing officer. The deadline to register as a write-in candidate is 12:00 p.m. (noon) the Friday before the election.