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.
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.
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.
The CF-1 Campaign Registration Statement and Statement of Economic Interests are available from and filed with Wisconsin Ethics Commission.
The CF-1 Campaign Registration Statement and Statement of Economic Interests are available from and filed with Wisconsin Ethics Commission.
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
The CF-1 Campaign Registration Statement and Statement of Economic Interests are available from and filed with Wisconsin Ethics Commission.
A qualified elector of the state at the time of taking office. Article V, Section 2, Wis. Constitution.
A qualified elector of the state at the time of taking office
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.
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
Licensed to practice law in Wisconsin and a resident of the prosecutorial unit (county) at the time of taking office. Wis. Stat. § 978.02.
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.
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:
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 s 6.03, Wis. Stats.
These local offices are considered partisan which means that the candidate runs as a representative of a political party.
These offices are non-partisan which means the candidate does not run as a member of a political party.
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).
Village office: A qualified elector and an actual resident of the village at the time of election. Wis. Stat. § 61.19
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).
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.
Wisconsin Elections Commission and your local municipal clerk will only send you mail when it is absolutely necessary. Learn more about the mail the Commission or your clerks send, how to identify election mail, and what to do with each type.
