Voters

How do I see who is running for an office?

Anyone can view the list of candidates running for office. For federal, statewide, and multijurisdictional judge positions, Wisconsin Elections Commission publishes and posts the Candidate Tracking by Office report ahead of the election. Voters can view exactly who will be on their ballot on the Type B notice published by the clerks on the Friday before the election. They may also view a sample ballot on MyVote.

Note: Sample ballots will not appear in MyVote until the list of candidates has been certified and added to the election by the clerks. Voter can expect to be able to view their sample ballot up to two weeks before the election.

Voting Equipment

Updated on Nov 1st, 2022

Before any voting system may be used in the State of Wisconsin, it must be approved by the Wisconsin Elections Commission.  Chapter 7 of the Election Administrative Rules governs the process.

Voting Equipment may be accredited by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) prior to its approval by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, but EAC certification is not required for certification in Wisconsin.  Wisconsin Act 261 of 2015 eliminated the requirement that all voting systems approved for use in Wisconsin be accredited by the EAC and the WEC is able to approve systems outside of the EAC certification process.

Voting equipment that no longer fits the certification requirements, meets the accessibility needs of voters, or which is no longer supported by the manufacturers may also be decertified by the Commission and must then be taken out of use in Wisconsin. 

Decertified Voting Equipment

Equipment Vendor System Version Date of Decertification
ES&S Unity 3.0.1.0 12/31/2022
Vote-PAD, Incorporated Vote-PAD 1/1/2022
ES&S Unity 3.4.1.1 12/2/2019
ES&S Unity 3.4.0.1 12/2/2019
ES&S Unity 3.4.0.0 12/2/2019
ES&S Unity 3.2.0.0 Rev.3 12/2/2019
OpTech Eagle 12/31/2018

 

 

 

 

Retention Policy for Electronic Election Data

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).

          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

          Wisconsin Elections

          Updated on Jun 17th, 2024

          Wisconsin’s elections are highly decentralized, with elections conducted at the local level by over 1,900 local election officials in 72 counties and 1,851 municipalities. Municipal clerks in Wisconsin's towns, villages, and cities and the Board of Election Commissioners in the City of Milwaukee, are responsible for establishing polling places, acquiring voting equipment, recruiting and training poll workers, maintaining voter lists, administering absentee voting, and supervising the conduct of elections on Election Day. 

          Elections are administered at the state level by the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC).  The WEC is responsible for the administrative oversight of federal and state election laws including establishing uniform standards and training local election officials.

          2024 General and CD 8 Special Elections

          Spring Election 2024

          State SD 4 Special Election 2024

          Voter Information Center

          Updated on Aug 25th, 2023

          Welcome Wisconsin Voters!

          If you need to:

          • Find your polling place
          • See what's on your ballot
          • Register to vote
          • Request an absentee ballot
          • Track your ballot
          • Look up your voting history
          • Find In-Person Absentee Voting locations
          Go to MyVote
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          Registering to Vote

          Residents of Care Facilities & Retirement Communities

          Military & Overseas Voters

          Voting away from home (Absentee)

          Photo ID Requirements

          Special Situations

          Homepage

          Updated on Jul 1st, 2024

          WEC Office is Closed July 4.

          Wisconsin Elections Commission will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2024 in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

          Administering Wisconsin's Elections

          The Wisconsin Elections Commission is a six member, bipartisan commission charged with implementing Wisconsin's election statutes and supporting Wisconsin's 1,850 county and municipal clerks.

          Wisconsin's Election Fact Checks

          Are you hearing about an election-related topic in the news or somewhere else? WEC has created Fact Checks to address some of the topics on voters' minds.

          Become a Poll Worker

          Poll Workers perform a very important public service by enhancing the high quality and integrity of Wisconsin's elections. Serve your local community by working as a poll worker for the next election.

          Frequently Asked Questions

          Are you a voter, candidate, election official, or observer with a question? See the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

          Complaints & Comments

          Any person may file an official sworn complaint alleging a violation of Wisconsin election laws or report a concern about an election-related experience. Click here to learn more.

          Election Security & Integrity

          Wisconsin’s election systems are secure thanks to the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s strong partnerships with federal and state agencies and local election officials. Click here to learn more about election security in Wisconsin.

          Recent Clerk Communications

          Go to recent clerk communications about upcoming deadlines, recent court decisions, upcoming webinars, and other priority communications for clerks.
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