Approved Voting Equipment

Updated on Nov 30th, 2023

Voting Equipment Approval Process

The Wisconsin Elections Commission has provided a set of administrative rules to establish the process for the approval of electronic voting equipment in Wisconsin.

When applying for approval in Wisconsin the voting equipment manufacturer must submit reports from Voting System Test Laboratories (VSTL’s) approved by the United States Election Assistance Commission that the equipment has been qualified to meet the current standards / guidelines.

Voting equipment and materials are reviewed by Wisconsin Elections Commission staff and an advisory panel of local election officials. The vendor must set up and demonstrate a series of mock elections; a spring nonpartisan election with a Presidential Preference vote, a September partisan primary election and a November general election.  There will also be a separate demonstration for members of the public, including persons with disabilities and Legislators.

After the Wisconsin Elections Commission staff and the advisory panel have reviewed the test results and examined the equipment, the system is demonstrated at a Commission meeting. The Wisconsin Elections Commission review consists of a demonstration and a review of the evaluation made by the advisory panel and Commission staff.  The Wisconsin Elections Commission makes the final determination on the approval of the voting system at a public meeting.

Municipal Voting Equipment Lists

Detailed Information About Equipment Certification

Note: As part of state and federal system approval, only voting equipment included in a single voting system certification is allowed to be used together to conduct an election in Wisconsin.  Previous system versions that were approved by the former State Elections Board, former GAB, or previously approved by WEC are not compatible with a newly approved voting system.  Unless decertified, these systems may continue to be used in Wisconsin elections.  However, equipment components from different system versions cannot be used together.  

    Clear Ballot
      ClearVote 1.4

      ClearBallot Group ClearVote 1.4 was certified for use and sale in the State of Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Elections Commission on December 8, 2017 at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission. 

       

      ClearVote 2.0

      ClearBallot Group ClearVote 2.0 was certified for use and sale in the State of Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Elections Commission on December 2, 2019 at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission.

       

      ClearVote 2.3

      ClearBallot Group ClearVote 2.3 was certified for use and sale in the State of Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Elections Commission on September 7, 2023 at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission.

      Clear Ballot Website
      Dominion Voting
        Democracy Suite 4.14-D and 4.14-DS

         On June 18, 2015, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board granted approval of the Dominion Democracy Suite 4.14-D and 4.14-DS voting systems. The certification was amended by Wisconsin Elections Commission on July 2, 2021.

         

        Democracy Suite 5.5-C and 5.5-CS

        Democracy Suite 5.5-C and 5.5-CS were approved for sale and use by the Wisconsin Elections Commission on June 2, 2021.

        Democracy Suite 5.17 and 5.17S

        Democracy Suite 5.17 and 5.17S were approved for sale and use by the Wisconsin Elections Commission on November 2, 2023.

         

        Dominion Vendor Website
        ES&S
          ES&S EVS 6.0.4.0 and EVS 6.0.5.0

          ES&S EVS 6040 and 6050 were certified for use and sale in the State of Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Elections Commission on September 24, 2019.

          ES&S EVS 5.3.4.1

          ES&S EVS 5341 was certified for use and sale in the State of Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Elections Commission on December 2, 2019.

           

          ES&S 5.2.4.0 and EVS 5.3.4.0

          ES&S EVS 5240 and 5340 were certified for use and sale in the State of Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Elections Commission on June 11, 2019.

          ES&S Voting Systems EVS 5.2.2.0 and EVS 5.3.2.0

          On June 20, 2017, the Wisconsin Elections Commission approved ES&S Voting Systems EVS 5.2.2.0 and EVS 5.3.2.0 for use in Wisconsin.

          ES&S Electronic Voting System 5200-5300

          On September 4, 2014, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (Board) approved ES&S EVS 5.2.0.0 and EVS 5.3.0.0 voting systems for sale and use in the State of Wisconsin.

           

          ES&S Electronic Voting System 6060-6070

          On June 1, 2023, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (Board) approved ES&S EVS 6060 and EVS 6070 voting systems for sale and use in the State of Wisconsin.

           

          ES&S Website
          Sequoia Voting Systems

          To view more information about this equipment, click here

          • Optech Insight optical scan ballot reader, version. APXK2.10/HPX K1.42;
          • AVC Edge with VeriVote Printer DRE system, version 5.024;
          • WinEDS 3.1.012 management software.

          The State Elections Board approved this equipment at the March 22, 2006 meeting.

          Recall Elections

          Updated on Jun 20th, 2022

          Recall gives voters the right to reconsider their choice of an elected official; however, it does not automatically result in removal of an official from office. It provides an opportunity for voters to require an elected official to run for office again before the expiration of his or her term. An official must be in office for one year before a recall can be initiated.  The requirements for initiating recall efforts are very specific and must be carefully followed.  Please consult the recall manuals.

          View Recall Manuals

          Number of signatures required

          The petition must contain the signatures of qualified electors equal to at least 25% of the vote cast for the office of Governor at the last General Election held within the same district or jurisdiction as that of the officeholder.  Once a recall committee registers with the filing officer, the official number of signatures required will be provided.

          Information about Recall Committees

          When there is a recall of a statewide office, recall committees must file with the Campaign Registration Form with Wisconsin Ethics Commission. Recall committees that have registered with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission are listed in the Campaign Finance Information System (CFIS).

          Voting Statistics

          Updated on Jul 8th, 2022

          Voter Registration Statistics

          Updated on Jul 8th, 2022

          Absentee Statistics

          Updated on Jul 8th, 2022

          Recounts

          Updated on Apr 5th, 2023

          Elections are often decided by a few votes. In many cases they are decided by one or two votes out of the several hundred or even several thousand votes that are cast. An election may even end in a tie vote. These circumstances encourage a candidate, typically the one who loses the election, to have all the ballots counted again to assure all legal votes are counted properly, any illegal votes are not counted, and the proper procedures for conducting the election were followed by the election officials.

          The process of counting the ballots again is known as a recount. There is no automatic recount.  The procedures for requesting and conducting a recount are spelled out in the election laws. A recount is the exclusive remedy to test in court the right of a candidate to hold office based on the number of votes cast at an election.

          This information is prepared by the Wisconsin Elections Commission pursuant to the requirements of Wis. Stat. §9.01(10).

          Recount Manual

          This manual explains the statutory requirements for requesting a recount, attempts to explain ambiguity in those statutes, expands on the statutory requirements with recommended procedures for conducting a recount, and contains sample forms for use during the recount.

          View Recount Manual

          Federal Candidates

          Updated on Jun 12th, 2024

          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.

            Qualifications
              U.S. Senator

              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.

              Representative in Congress

              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).

              Congressional Offices

              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.

                Required Documents for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives

                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.

                U.S. President (On The Ballot)

                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.

                  Resources for Presidential Ballot Candidates
                  Write-in Presidential Candidates

                  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.

                    Required Documents for Write-in Candidates for President & Vice President

                    Filed Complaints

                    Updated on Jun 15th, 2022

                    This page contains information about compliance review complaints against election officials filed with the Wisconsin Elections Commission under Section §5.06. Complaints filed under Section §5.05 are not included because they are confidential by law. However, at the direction of the Commission, close letters from some Section §5.05 complaints are posted and denoted with an asterisk (*) before the number.

                    A voter may file a sworn complaint alleging that an election official has violated the law or abused the official’s discretion regarding nominations, qualifications of candidates, voting qualifications, including residence, ward division and renumbering, recall, ballot preparation, election administration or conduct of elections.

                    State Candidates

                    Updated on Apr 3rd, 2024

                    Unless noted, these offices are elected in the Fall General Election (not the Presidential Election). Officials serve four-year terms starting the first Monday of January. A candidate must be a qualified elector of the state at the time of taking office.

                      Minimum Qualifications

                      The minimum qualifications to hold an office are:

                      • United States Citizenship

                      • At least 18 years of age (or older for certain offices)

                      • Satisfy residency requirement for specific office

                      • 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 6.03, Wis. Stats. 

                      Partisan

                      These state offices are considered partisan which means that the candidate runs as a representative of a political party.

                      • Governor

                      • Lieutenant Governor

                      • Attorney General

                      • Secretary of State

                      • State Treasurer

                      • Legislative offices:

                        • There are 99 Representatives to the Assembly who are elected every two years in the Fall General Election and serve a two-year term starting the first Monday of January. Candidates must be a resident for one year within the state and a qualified elector of the district at the time of taking office.

                        • There are 33 State Senators who are elected to staggered four-year terms. Candidates must be a resident for one year within the state and a qualified elector of the district at the time of taking office.

                      • District Attorneys are elected during Presidential Election years.

                        Required Documents for Statewide Constitutional and Legislative Offices

                        The CF-1 Campaign Registration Statement and Statement of Economic Interests are available from and filed with Wisconsin Ethics Commission.

                        Required Documents for District Attorneys

                        The CF-1 Campaign Registration Statement and Statement of Economic Interests are available from and filed with Wisconsin Ethics Commission.

                        Non-Partisan

                        These offices are non-partisan which means the candidate does not run as a member of an political party.

                        • State Superintendent of Public Instruction

                        • Justice of the Supreme Court

                        • Court of Appeals Judge

                        • Circuit Court Judge

                          Required Documents for Non-Partisan Office

                           

                          The CF-1 Campaign Registration Statement and Statement of Economic Interests are available from and filed with Wisconsin Ethics Commission.

                          Residency Requirements
                            Governor and Lt. Governor

                            A qualified elector of the state at the time of taking office. Article V, Section 2, Wis. Constitution.

                            Attorney General

                            A qualified elector of the state at the time of taking office

                            State Senator and Representative to the Assembly

                            A resident for one year within the state and a qualified elector of the district at the time of taking office. Article IV, Section 6, Wis. Constitution. 65 Atty. Gen. 165.

                            Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judge, Circuit Court Judge

                            Licensed to practice law in Wisconsin for 5 years immediately prior to the election and a qualified elector of the state, district, or circuit at time of election. Article VII, Sections 7, 10, 24, Wis. Constitution

                            District Attorney

                            Licensed to practice law in Wisconsin and a resident of the prosecutorial unit (county) at the time of taking office. Wis. Stat. § 978.02.

                            Registered Write-In Candidates

                            To register as a write-in candidate, a Campaign Registration Statement (CF-1) must be filed with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission prior to collecting or spending any money on the campaign. The deadline to register as a write-in candidate is 12:00 p.m. (noon) the Friday before the election.

                            Filing a Sworn Complaint

                            Updated on Mar 23rd, 2023

                            Types of Complaints

                            Each type of sworn complaint is described in detail below to help you find one that best fits your situation.

                              §5.05 Complaints (Election Law Violation)

                              Any person may file a complaint alleging a violation of election law such as electioneering, distributing election-related materials at active polling locations, false statements affecting elections, voter intimidation, bribery and election fraud. If you are filing a complaint against an election official, consider whether filing a 5.06 complaint would be a more appropriate course of action.

                              Under Wis. Stats. §§ 5.05(5s), 12.13(5), and 12.60(1)(bm), the WEC is required to keep Wis. Stat. § 5.05 complaints confidential, and staff do not place those complaints online or comment on them. Parties to a Wis. Stat. § 5.05 complaint have on occasion, been known to provide comment, but the processes are generally kept entirely confidential. In any case, the WEC will not provide comment on a confidential complaint.

                              When should you file an Official Sworn Complaint under § 5.05?

                              • If you believe you witnessed:
                                • Electioneering
                                • Distributing election-related materials at polling locations during an election
                                • False statements affecting elections
                                • Voter intimidation
                                • Bribery
                                • Election fraud

                              See full statute here § 5.05 for additional information.

                              Please note: Even if the Commission finds reasonable belief or probable cause this does not guarantee the complaint will be given to the district attorney or that the district attorney will prosecute.

                              §5.05 Complaint Process Timeline
                              Submit Complaint Receipt and Response Commission Investigates Complaint Transferred to District Attorney
                              Day 1 Days 2-21 Time Varies If Needed, Time Varies
                              1. Fill out EL-1100 Form.
                              2. List the specific statute that was broken.
                              3. Notarize the complaint.
                              4. Email, fax, mail, or deliver the form to the Commission
                              1. Within 5 days, the Commission acknowledges receipt of the complaint.
                              2. The accused is given 15 days to respond.
                              1. The Commission analyzes relevant evidence for the complaint.
                              2. If probable cause is found, the Commission refers the complaint to the District Attorney (see next step).
                              3. If probable cause is not found, the Commission will notify the complainant.
                              1. If needed, the complaint is referred to the District Attorney. Their office may communicate with you.
                              2. There is NO guarantee that the District Attorney will prosecute or contact the complainant or respondent further.
                              §5.06 Complaints (Violations or Appeals of Decisions of Election Officials)

                              A voter may file a complaint alleging that an election official has violated the law or abused the official’s discretion regarding nominations, qualifications of candidates, voting qualifications, including residence, ward division and renumbering, recall, ballot preparation, election administration or conduct of elections. A complaint under § 5.06 can also be an appeal of an election official's decision.

                              When should you file an Official Sworn Complaint under §5.06?

                              • If you believe an election official has violated the law or abused the official’s discretion, or appeal a decision made by an election official, regarding:
                                • Nominations
                                • Qualifications of candidates
                                • Voting qualifications-based on residency, ward division, or renumbering
                                • Recall
                                • Ballot preparation
                                • Election administration
                                • Election Conduct

                              In order to file a complaint against a local election official, the complainant must be a resident of the jurisdiction or district served by the official.

                              See full statute here (§5.06) for additional information.

                              § 5.06 Complaint Process Timeline
                              File Complaint Response from Accused Verified Response (optional) Commission Investigates Complaint Commission Issues Order
                              Day 1 Day 2-22 Time Varies Time Varies If Needed, Time Varies

                              1. Fill out EL-1100 Form.

                              2. List the specific statute that was broken.

                              3. Notarize the complaint.

                              4. Email, fax, mail, or deliver the form to the Commission

                              1. Within 5 days, the Commission acknowledges receipt of the complaint.

                              2. The accused party is given 10 business days to send a notarized response. 3 additional business days are provided for service.

                              		 1. The complainant can send a notarized reply to the accused response within 10 days.

                              1. The Commission analyzes relevant evidence for the complaint.

                              2. The Commission may either dismiss the complaint or an order may be issued (see next step).

                              1. The Commission offers resolution to the complaint.

                              2. Accused party can appeal the decision to the circuit court within 30 days.
                              §5.061 HAVA (Help America Vote Act) Violation

                              Whenever any person believes that a violation of HAVA has occurred, is occurring, or is proposed to occur with respect to an election for national office in Wisconsin, that person may file a written, verified complaint with the Commission.

                              Complaint Form (EL-1100)

                              Any person may file an official sworn complaint alleging a violation of Wis. Stat. chs. 5 to 10 or 12 under Wis. Stat. § 5.05. The complaint should include the specific statute(s) you believe has been violated.

                              Complaints based on word of mouth, social media postings, or other third-party accounts are often difficult to investigate and determine if they are legitimate. Eyewitness accounts or paper/electronic documents generally yield the best results. When filling out the complaint make sure to include all relevant information and supporting documents.

                              If you are unsure if what you witnessed falls under these categories please contact the Commission by phone or email to help determine if what you witnessed may have been a violation of election law before submitting an official complaint.

                              Getting Your Complaint Notarized

                              All sworn complaints submitted to the Wisconsin Elections Commission must be notarized. To get a notary:

                              1. Make sure all forms are completed (minus your final signature).

                              2. Contact a local bank, UPS store, or attorney. Please note that some of these may charge notary fees ($5 or less).

                                *The Wisconsin Elections Commission has multiple notaries available to you at no charge. If you need a notary, please contact the Wisconsin Elections Commission to set up a time to meet with a notary.

                              3. Bring a photo ID with you, as the notary will have to verify your identity.

                              4. The notary will sign and stamp your form and have you sign the form.

                              5. Send in the completed and notarized complaint form to the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

                              Submitting Your Complaint

                              Once your complaint form is completed, please submit it to the Wisconsin Elections Commission by mail, email, fax, or in-person, using the instructions on the form.

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