Sample paper and optical scan ballots for the Partisan Primary have been approved by the Commission and are now available on the Wisconsin Election Commission (WEC) website:
Paper ballots will appear here: https://elections.wi.gov/node/3170
Optical scan ballots will appear here: https://elections.wi.gov/node/2929
Ballots should be modified so that any office not up for this election is eliminated from the ballot. No independent candidates appear on the partisan primary ballot. Independent candidates will appear on the general election ballot in November.
The partisan primary ballot series is EL-201.
Optical Scan Ballots
- Sample arrow and oval optical scan ballots, click on “EL-201ms.”
- To access sample arrow and oval optical scan federal office-only ballots, click on “EL-201Fms.”
Paper, Hand-Count Ballots
- To access paper hand-count ballots (EL-201) and the instructional cover sheet (EL-201i), click on “EL-201.” The EL-229 Reverse Side of Ballot is attached to the EL-201.
- To access the paper hand-count Federal office-only ballot (EL-201F), click on “EL-201F.” The EL-229 Reverse Side of Ballot is attached to the EL-201F.
Municipalities Using Paper, Hand-Count Ballots
A consolidated ballot MAY NOT be used at the Partisan Primary. Municipalities that hand count ballots must use traditional paper ballots (a separate ballot for each party stapled together at the bottom). Evidence has shown that municipalities that have used consolidated ballots at partisan primaries experienced a significant “drop off” between the number of voters and the number of votes counted, due to crossover voting.
In a hand-count situation, the voter places the ballot in a ballot box for counting. The voter is not able to be notified of a crossover vote as they would be if the ballot were deposited into optical scan equipment. Although some voters will attempt to vote in more than one party when using traditional paper ballots, the trend is much less significant.
Party ballots are assembled with the instructional cover sheet (EL-201i) on the top, followed by ballots in this order: Democratic, Republican, Constitution (note: the Wisconsin Green and Libertarian parties did not meet the vote threshold to maintain ballot status).
Party ballots must all be the same color and size and must be stapled together at the bottom.
Ballot Review (County Clerks)
As usual, please send a copy of your ballot to the WEC for approval. Please send only one representative sample. DO NOT send all ballot styles or email or fax a string of ballot styles.
You may either fax your ballot to 608-267-0500 or email it to @email. Please make sure that you proof your ballots again after receiving your ballots from your printer.
Ballots for the November 3, 2020 General Election will be presented to the Commission for approval at their June 10 meeting and will be made available accordingly. If you have questions, please contact the Help Desk at @email or 608-261-2028.