reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 7 - Election officials; boards; selection and duties; canvassing. › 7.20 - Board of election commissioners.

7.20
Board of election commissioners.
(1)
A municipal board of election commissioners shall be established in every city over 500,000 population. A county board of election commissioners shall be established in every county over 750,000 population.
(2)
Each board of election commissioners shall consist of 3 members, each member being chosen from lists of at least 3 names each, selected and approved by the county committee of the 2 political parties receiving the most votes for governor in the county in the case of the county board of election commissioners, and receiving the most votes for governor in the city in the case of the city board of election commissioners, in the last general election. The county executive, for the county board of election commissioners, shall select from the list 2 persons from the majority party and one person from the next highest party in the county. The mayor, for the city board of election commissioners, shall select from the list 2 persons from the majority party and one person from the next highest party in the city.
(3)
The persons chosen shall be qualified electors and residents of the state and county and, for the city board of election commissioners, of the city.
(4)
Before beginning their duties as election commissioners each appointee shall take and file the official oath.
(5)
Each board of election commissioners shall choose its own chairperson. An act of a majority of the board is an act of the board.
(6)
The election commissioners shall not hold any other public office and are ineligible for any appointive or elective public office, except the office of notary public, during their term.
(7)
The term of office shall be 4 years, and until successors have been commissioned and qualified, beginning on July 1 each year following a presidential election. Successors shall be appointed the same way.
History:  1973 c. 334; 1975 c. 124; 1983 a. 484 s. 172 (1); 1993 a. 184; 2013 a. 373.
Municipal clerks are the officials primarily responsible for election administration in Wisconsin. A “board of election commissioners" is established in Wisconsin's high population cities and counties to carry out the duties otherwise accomplished by municipal and county clerks everywhere else. The phrase “municipal clerk or board of election commissioners" appears in tandem all over the election statutes because that describes the duties of local election officials. State ex rel. Zignego v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, 2021 WI 32, 396 Wis. 2d 391, 957 N.W.2d 208, 19-2397.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 7 - Election officials; boards; selection and duties; canvassing. › 7.21 - Election commissioners, duties and regulations.

7.21
Election commissioners, duties and regulations.
(1)
All powers and duties assigned to the municipal or county clerk or the municipal or county board of canvassers under chs. 5 to 12 shall be carried out by the municipal or county board of election commissioners or its executive director, unless specifically retained or assigned in this section or s. 7.22.
(2)
The county clerk shall serve as executive director of the county board of election commissioners. The clerk shall perform whatever duties the board of election commissioners assigns to him or her. An executive director of the city board of election commissioners shall be appointed under s. 62.51.
(3)
The board of election commissioners is authorized to employ additional clerical assistants to carry out its necessary duties. The assistants' salaries shall be fixed by the governing body of the municipality or county.
(4)
The board of election commissioners may procure a seal to authenticate official papers and documents.
(5)
The city council and county board shall provide office space in the city hall and county courthouse, respectively, pay all the necessary expenses, cooperate with the board of election commissioners, provide storage space for the election equipment and supplies and assist with the moving and conducting of the elections as necessary.
History:  1973 c. 334; 1979 c. 89; 1983 a. 36; 1983 a. 484 s. 172 (1), (2); 1985 a. 304 ss. 81, 155; 1987 a. 382; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 1999 a. 182; 2007 a. 1; 2013 a. 373.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 7 - Election officials; boards; selection and duties; canvassing. › 7.22 - Municipal board of election commissioners.

7.22
Municipal board of election commissioners.
(1)
The common council shall determine the salaries of the election commissioners and shall include sufficient funds in its budget to allow the municipal board of election commissioners to fulfill its duties.
(2)
All expenses shall be paid upon order of the municipal board of election commissioners, signed by the chairperson and executive director and countersigned by the city comptroller. The orders, made payable to persons in whose favor issued, shall be the vouchers for the city treasurer for the payment of the orders.
(3)
The municipal board of election commissioners shall prepare and furnish copies of all registrations, books, maps, instructions, and forms pertaining to the rules for registration and conducting elections for the use and guidance of the election officials.
(4)
The municipal board of election commissioners shall compile and publish a biennial report, containing election statistics and returns of all primaries and elections held within their city and county. Copies of the same shall be distributed to persons in such quantities as the municipal board of election commissioners deems proper.
(5)
The chief of police shall station a police officer at polling places designated by the municipal board of election commissioners for each election.
History:  1973 c. 334; 1977 c. 51; 1983 a. 484 s. 172 (1); 1985 a. 304 s. 155; 1993 a. 184; 2001 a. 107.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 7 - Election officials; boards; selection and duties; canvassing. › 7.24 - Title to election materials.

7.24
Title to election materials.
The filing of a nomination paper, ballot application, financial report, affidavit, or other form or statement with the appropriate official or agency responsible for accepting such materials under chs. 5 to 12 irrevocably transfers the legal title to such official or agency, regardless of the sufficiency of the filing. The official or agency shall retain all election materials until destruction or other disposition is authorized under s. 7.23.
History:  1975 c. 93; 1979 c. 89.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 7 - Election officials; boards; selection and duties; canvassing. › 7.31 - Training and certification of chief inspectors.

7.31
Training and certification of chief inspectors.
(1)
The commission shall establish requirements for certification of individuals to serve as chief inspectors. The requirements shall include a requirement to attend at least one training session held under sub. (5) before beginning service.
(2)
No individual may serve as a chief inspector at a polling place in an election unless the individual is certified by the commission to hold that office on the date of the election at which the individual serves.
(3)
The commission shall, upon application, issue certificates to qualified individuals who meet the requirements to be certified as chief inspectors. Each certificate shall carry an expiration date.
(4)
The commission shall require each individual to whom a certificate is issued under this section to meet requirements to maintain that certification. The requirements shall include a requirement to attend at least one training session held under sub. (5) every 2 years during the period beginning on January 1 of each even-numbered year and ending on December 31 of the following year. The commission shall renew the certificate of any individual who requests renewal and who meets the requirements prescribed under this subsection.
(5)
The commission shall conduct regular training programs to ensure that individuals who are certified by the commission under this section are knowledgeable concerning their authority and responsibilities. The commission shall pay all costs required to conduct the training programs from the appropriation under s. 20.510 (1) (bm).
History:  2001 a. 16, 104; 2003 a. 143; 2005 a. 451; 2007 a. 1; 2015 a. 118 s. 266 (10); 2015 a. 229, 261; 2017 a. 365, 366.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 7 - Election officials; boards; selection and duties; canvassing. › 7.315 - Training of other election officials.

7.315
Training of other election officials.
(1)
(a)
The commission shall, by rule, prescribe the contents of the training that municipal clerks must provide to inspectors, other than chief inspectors, and to special voting deputies appointed under s. 6.875.
(b)
1.
Each inspector other than a chief inspector and each special voting deputy appointed under s. 6.875 shall view or attend at least one training program every 2 years during the period beginning on January 1 of each even-numbered year and ending on December 31 of the following year. Except as provided in subd. 2., no individual may serve as an inspector, other than a chief inspector, or as a special voting deputy under s. 6.875 at any election unless the individual has completed training for that election provided by the municipal clerk pursuant to rules promulgated under par. (a) within 2 years of the date of the election.
2.
Only when an individual who has received training under subd. 1. is unavailable to perform his or her election duties due to sickness, injury, or other unforeseen occurrence may an individual who has not received training under subd. 1. be appointed to serve as an inspector, other than chief inspector, or a special voting deputy. The appointment of an individual to serve under this subdivision shall be for a specific election and no individual may be appointed under this subdivision more than one time in a 2-year period beginning on January 1 of each even-numbered year and ending on December 31 of the following year.
(2)
The commission shall, by rule, prescribe requirements for, and the content of, training required of municipal clerks under s. 7.15 (1m). The commission may provide such training directly or arrange for such training to be provided by other organizations. The rules shall provide a method for notifying the relevant municipal governing body if a municipal clerk fails to attend required training.
(3)
The commission may produce and periodically reissue as necessary a video program for the purpose of training election officials, including special voting deputies and election registration officials. The commission shall make any such program available for viewing electronically through an Internet-based system.
(4)
Election registration officials shall receive the training as provided under this section for inspectors, other than chief inspectors.
History:  2005 a. 451; 2015 a. 118 s. 266 (10); 2015 a. 229, 261; 2017 a. 365.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 7 - Election officials; boards; selection and duties; canvassing. › 7.32 - Change of election official numbers.

7.32
Change of election official numbers.
Notwithstanding s. 7.30 (1) (a), the governing body or board of election commissioners of any municipality may by resolution reduce the number of election officials and modify or rescind any similar previous action. No such action may reduce the number of officials at a polling place to less than 3.
History:  1977 c. 427; 1979 c. 260 s. 46; Stats. 1979 s. 7.32; 1983 a. 484; 1985 a. 304; 2005 a. 451.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 7 - Election officials; boards; selection and duties; canvassing. › 7.36 - Chief inspector's duties.

7.36
Chief inspector's duties.
Subject to the supervision of the municipal clerk or executive director of the board of election commissioners, the chief inspector shall direct the conduct of activities assigned to the inspectors at the polling place. The chief inspector shall refer any question as to the proper procedure to be employed in carrying out the inspectors' duties to the municipal clerk or executive director.
History:  1985 a. 304.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 7 - Election officials; boards; selection and duties; canvassing. › 7.38 - Vacancies after nomination.

7.38
Vacancies after nomination.
(1)
Except as provided in sub. (4), after the death of a candidate nominated for a partisan office, either in a primary or when no primary is required under s. 8.50 (3) (b), the vacancy may be filled by the candidate's political party. In the case of county offices, the vacancy shall be filled by the chairperson of the county committee. If no county committee exists, the vacancy shall be filled by the chairperson of the state committee. For other offices, the vacancy shall be filled by the chairperson of the state committee. The appropriate chairperson shall file with the official or agency with whom nomination papers are filed for the office a certificate signed, certified and sworn to the same as an original nomination paper. The certificate shall state the cause of the vacancy, the name of the new nominee and the office for which the nomination is made. A political party may not nominate a candidate for an office for which no person representing that party has filed nomination papers and a declaration of candidacy.
(2)
The certificate shall be filed within 4 days of the date of notification of the vacancy and shall have the same effect as original nomination papers.
(3)
If the vacancy occurs after ballots have been printed in any county or municipality, the chairperson of the committee filling the vacancy shall supply the municipal clerk with stickers containing the name of the new nominee only. The stickers may be no larger than the space provided on the ballot for the original candidate's name and office.
(4)
There can be no vacancy in nomination prior to a party primary, except when no primary is required under s. 8.50 (3) (b).
(5)
In the event of failure to file the name of a current state chairperson, as required under s. 8.17 (12), the commission may not recognize the state committee for the purpose of filling vacancies under sub. (1).
History:  1971 c. 304 s. 29 (2); 1973 c. 334; 1975 c. 93, 200; 1977 c. 340, 427; 1979 c. 311; 1983 a. 484; 1985 a. 304; 1987 a. 391; 1993 a. 184; 1999 a. 182; 2015 a. 118 s. 266 (10).
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 7 - Election officials; boards; selection and duties; canvassing. › 7.40 - Sample ballots.

7.40
Sample ballots.
Any committee may, at its own expense and subject to limitations upon contributions and disbursements under ch. 11, print a supply of sample ballots, provided each sample ballot includes on its face the information required by s. 11.1303 (2) and all the names shown on the official ballot. In this section, committee has the meaning given in s. 11.0101 (6).
History:  1987 a. 391 s. 46m; 2015 a. 117.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 7 - Election officials; boards; selection and duties; canvassing. › 7.54 - Contested elections.

7.54
Contested elections.
In all contested election cases, the contesting parties have the right to have the ballots opened and to have all errors of the inspectors, either in counting or refusing to count any ballot, corrected by the board of canvassers or court deciding the contest. The ballots and related materials may be opened only in open session of the board of canvassers or in open court and in the presence of the official having custody of them.
History:  1983 a. 484.
This section does not apply when an appeal of the result of a recount by the board of canvassers under s. 9.01 is before an appellate court. Sewell v. Racine Unified School District Board of Canvassers, 2022 WI 18, 401 Wis. 2d 58, 972 N.W.2d 155, 20-1271.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 7 - Election officials; boards; selection and duties; canvassing. › 7.75 - Presidential electors meeting.

7.75
Presidential electors meeting.
(1)
The electors for president and vice president shall meet at the state capitol following the presidential election at 12:00 noon the first Monday after the 2nd Wednesday in December. If there is a vacancy in the office of an elector due to death, refusal to act, failure to attend or other cause, the electors present shall immediately proceed to fill by ballot, by a plurality of votes, the electoral college vacancy. When all electors are present, or the vacancies filled, they shall perform their required duties under the constitution and laws of the United States.
(2)
The presidential electors, when convened, shall vote by ballot for that person for president and that person for vice president who are, respectively, the candidates of the political party which nominated them under s. 8.18, the candidates whose names appeared on the nomination papers filed under s. 8.20, or the candidate or candidates who filed their names under s. 8.185 (2), except that at least one of the persons for whom the electors vote may not be an inhabitant of this state. A presidential elector is not required to vote for a candidate who is deceased at the time of the meeting.
History:  1979 c. 246.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.02 - Nomination paper circulation date.

8.02
Nomination paper circulation date.
Whenever a specific date is not given to begin circulation of nomination papers, the first day for circulation shall be the first day of the month one month prior to the month in which the filing deadline is scheduled. Signatures shall not be counted if signed and dated prior to the first day for circulation.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.03 - Multiple nominations.

8.03
Multiple nominations.
(1)
The name of any candidate who is nominated to the same office by more than one party or primary or nominated for more than one partisan or state nonpartisan office shall appear under the party first nominating him or her or under the office to which he or she was first nominated. If the double nomination is simultaneous, the candidate who is nominated, before the deadline for filing nomination papers shall file a written statement with the same person with whom he or she files nomination papers stating the person's party or office preference. If the candidate fails to select the party or office, the filing officer shall place the candidate's name on the ballot under either party or office, but may not permit it to appear more than once. If a candidate is nominated at a primary election for partisan office or nonpartisan state office on a ballot where his or her name appears or by nomination papers filed by the candidate, and is also nominated by write-in votes at the primary election to another office, or to the same office as the candidate of a different party, the candidate does not have a choice, but shall be placed on the ballot for the election under the office and party for which the candidate's name appeared on the primary ballot or for which the candidate had filed nomination papers.
(2)
Subsection (1) shall not apply when a candidate for the office of president or vice president of the United States is nominated for another elective office during the same election. If the candidate is elected president or vice president of the United States such election shall void the candidate's election to any other office. A special election shall be held to fill any office vacated under this subsection.
(2m)
A candidate may appear on the ballot for more than one local nonpartisan office at the same election.
(3)
This section does not affect the law of compatibility of offices.
History:  1979 c. 260; 1989 a. 192; 1991 a. 316.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.04 - Nomination paper signatures.

8.04
Nomination paper signatures.
If any person signs nomination papers for 2 candidates for the same office in the same election at different times, the earlier signature is valid and the later signature is invalid. If any person circulates a nomination paper for 2 candidates for the same office in the same election at different times, the earlier paper is valid and the later paper is invalid.
History:  1979 c. 260.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.06 - Special elections may be called.

8.06
Special elections may be called.
Towns, cities, villages, and, subject to ss. 67.05 (6a) (a) 2. and 121.91 (3) (a), school districts, may call special elections for any purpose authorized by law. If an election is called for a special referendum, the election shall be noticed under s. 8.55.
History:  1979 c. 32; 1989 a. 192; 2017 a. 59.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.07 - Validity of nomination papers.

8.07
Validity of nomination papers.
The commission shall promulgate rules under this chapter for use by election officials in determining the validity of nomination papers and signatures thereon.
History:  1983 a. 484; 1989 a. 359; 2015 a. 118 s. 266 (10).
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.125 - Accessibility of presidential caucuses.

8.125
Accessibility of presidential caucuses.
Any political party which holds a caucus open to the public for the purpose of selecting delegates to the national presidential nominating convention of the party shall hold the caucus in a place which is accessible to persons in wheelchairs.
History:  1985 a. 304.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.13 - Commission city primary.

8.13
Commission city primary.
At the first primary after adoption of the commission form of government the 2 candidates for mayor and the 4 candidates for council members receiving the highest number of votes shall be nominated. At subsequent primaries the 2 candidates receiving the most votes for either office shall be nominated. Only the names of the nominees shall appear on the spring election ballot.
History:  1985 a. 135 s. 83 (2).
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.18 - Nomination of presidential electors.

8.18
Nomination of presidential electors.
(1)
Candidates for the senate and assembly nominated by each political party at the primary, the state officers and the holdover state senators of each political party shall meet in the state capitol at 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday in October of each year in which there is a presidential election.
(2)
The purpose of the convention is to nominate one presidential elector from each congressional district and 2 electors from the state at large. The names of the nominees shall be certified immediately by the chairperson of the state committee of each party to the chairperson of the commission.
History:  1973 c. 334; 1975 c. 93; 1977 c. 427; 1993 a. 184; 2007 a. 1; 2015 a. 118 s. 266 (10).
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.185 - Write-in candidates for president and vice president.

8.185
Write-in candidates for president and vice president.
(1)
The names of candidates for president and vice president may be written in, in the place provided, on the general ballot at the general election for choosing the president and vice president of the United States. Write-in votes shall be listed as scattering unless the person whose name is written in has a list of presidential electors on file with the commission in accordance with this section or unless the person whose name is written in has received more than 10 percent of the total vote cast in the ward, or in the municipality if not divided into wards.
(2)
Any candidates for the office of president and vice president of the United States as write-in candidates shall file a list of presidential electors and a declaration of candidacy in the manner prescribed in s. 8.21 with the commission no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday preceding the day of the general election to choose the president and vice president of the United States. The list shall contain one presidential elector from each congressional district and 2 electors from the state at large and the names of the candidates for president and vice president for whom they intend to vote, if elected. Compliance with this subsection may be waived by the commission but only if the results of the general election indicate that a write-in candidate for the office of president is eligible to receive the electoral votes of this state except for noncompliance with this subsection. In such event, the write-in candidate shall have until 4:30 p.m. on the Friday following the general election to comply with the filing requirements of this subsection.
(3)
If more than one list of presidential electors is filed with the commission by any write-in candidates for the offices of president and vice president of the United States, the first list filed shall be considered the valid list, provided that this list meets the additional requirements of this section.
(4)
Write-in votes for president and vice president shall be counted as provided in s. 7.50 (2) (i).
History:  1971 c. 304 s. 29 (2); 1973 c. 334 s. 57; 1977 c. 427; 1981 c. 377 ss. 21 to 23; 1983 a. 484; 2015 a. 118 s. 266 (10); 2017 a. 366.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.19 - Party name.

8.19
Party name.
(1)
The state committee of any party polling less than 75,000 presidential votes in this state in the last election may change the name of the party. The new name may not duplicate that of an existing national party. A certificate of approval by the party's national committee which has been certified by the national committee secretary, the state committee chairperson and the state committee secretary shall be filed with the commission.
(2)
The new name shall take effect upon certification.
(3)
Every political party entitled, under s. 5.62, to have its candidates on the partisan primary and general election ballots has exclusive right to the use of the name designating it at any election involving political parties. The commission shall not certify nor the county clerk print the name of any person whose nomination papers indicate a party name comprising a combination of existing party names, qualifying words, phrases, prefixes or suffixes in connection with any existing party name.
History:  1973 c. 334 s. 57; 1975 c. 93; 1993 a. 184; 2011 a. 75; 2015 a. 118 s. 266 (10).
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.21 - Declaration of candidacy.

8.21
Declaration of candidacy.
(1)
Each candidate, except a candidate for presidential elector under s. 8.20 (2) (d), shall file a declaration of candidacy, no later than the latest time provided for filing nomination papers under s. 8.10 (2) (a), 8.15 (1), 8.20 (8) (a) or 8.50 (3) (a), or the time provided under s. 8.16 (2) or 8.35 (2) (c). A candidate shall file the declaration with the officer or agency with which nomination papers are filed for the office that the candidate seeks, or if nomination papers are not required, with the clerk or board of election commissioners of the jurisdiction in which the candidate seeks office.
(2)
The declaration of candidacy shall be sworn to before any officer authorized to administer oaths. The declaration shall contain the name of the candidate in the form specified under s. 8.10 (2) (b) for candidates for nonpartisan office or s. 8.15 (5) (a) or 8.20 (2) (a) for candidates for partisan office and shall state all of the following:
(a)
That the signer is a candidate for a named office.
(b)
That the signer meets, or will at the time he or she assumes office meet, applicable age, citizenship, residency, or voting qualification requirements, if any, prescribed by the constitutions and laws of the United States and of this state.
(c)
That the signer will otherwise qualify for office if nominated and elected.
(3)
The declaration of candidacy shall include the candidate's name in the form in which it will appear on the ballot.
(4)
Each candidate for state and local office shall include in the declaration of candidacy all of the following:
(a)
A statement that the candidate has not been convicted of any misdemeanor designated under state or federal law as a violation of the public trust or any felony for which the candidate has not been pardoned.
(b)
A statement that discloses the candidate's municipality of residence for voting purposes, and the street and number, if any, on which the candidate resides.
(5)
The declaration of candidacy is valid with or without the seal of the officer who administers the oath.
(6)
A candidate for state or local office shall file an amended declaration of candidacy under oath with the same officer or agency if any information contained in the declaration of candidacy changes at any time after the original declaration of candidacy is filed and before the candidate assumes office or is defeated for election or nomination.
History:  1983 a. 484 s. 94; 1985 a. 304; 1987 a. 391; 1993 a. 140; 1999 a. 182; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 149.
A candidate for election to Congress need not be a resident of the district at the time he or she files nomination papers and executes the declaration of intent to accept the office if elected. A candidate for Congress must be an inhabitant of the state at the time of election. 61 Atty. Gen. 155.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.25 - Election of state and federal officers.

8.25
Election of state and federal officers.
(1)
Presidential electors. By general ballot at the general election for choosing the president and vice president of the United States there shall be elected as many electors of president and vice president as this state is entitled to elect senators and representatives in congress. A vote for the president and vice president nominations of any party is a vote for the electors of the nominees.
(2)
United States senator. One senator to serve in the United States congress shall be chosen at the general election in 1962 and every 6 years thereafter and another in 1964 and every 6 years thereafter.
(3)
Representative in congress. One representative to serve in the United States congress shall be chosen from each congressional district at the general election held in each even-numbered year.
(4)
Constitutional officers; terms.
(a)
A governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer and an attorney general shall be elected at the general election in 1970 and quadrennially thereafter. A state superintendent shall be elected on the first Tuesday in April 1917 and quadrennially thereafter.
(b)
1.
The regular full term of office of the state superintendent commences on the first Monday of July, next succeeding the superintendent's election.
2.
The regular full term of each other officer enumerated in par. (a) commences on the first Monday of January, next succeeding the officer's election.
(5)
District attorney; term. A district attorney shall be elected for each prosecutorial unit specified in s. 978.01 at the general election in 2008 and quadrennially thereafter. The regular term of the office of district attorney commences on the first Monday in January next succeeding the officer's election.
History:  1981 c. 62, 314; 1987 a. 391; 1989 a. 31; 2007 a. 158.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.28 - Challenge to residency qualifications.

8.28
Challenge to residency qualifications.
(1)
Any individual who believes that an individual holding or elected to state or local office is not a resident or inhabitant of this state or of the jurisdiction or district in which he or she serves, whenever such qualification is required by the constitution of this state or by any applicable law, may file a verified complaint with the attorney general alleging such facts as may cause him or her to believe that the individual is not qualified to hold office because of failure to meet a residency requirement.
(2)
The attorney general may thereupon investigate whether such allegations are true. If the attorney general finds that the allegations of the complaint are true or for any other reason finds that the subject person who is holding or elected to office is not qualified because of failure to meet a residency requirement, the attorney general may commence an action under ch. 784 for a writ of quo warranto to have the subject person's office declared vacant or to restrain any person not entitled to take office from assuming it. In the case of a person who is elected to office in the legislature, the clerk of court shall transmit a copy of the judgment to the presiding officer of the appropriate house, and the house shall determine whether the person is qualified to be seated or whether a vacancy exists.
History:  1979 c. 249; 1983 a. 484.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.30 - Candidates ineligible for ballot placement.

8.30
Candidates ineligible for ballot placement.
(1)
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the official or agency with whom declarations of candidacy are required to be filed may refuse to place the candidate's name on the ballot if any of the following apply:
(a)
The nomination papers are not prepared, signed, and executed as required under this chapter.
(b)
It conclusively appears, either on the face of the nomination papers offered for filing, or by admission of the candidate or otherwise, that the candidate is ineligible to be nominated or elected.
(c)
The candidate, if elected, could not qualify for the office sought within the time allowed by law for qualification because of age, residence, or other impediment.
(2)
If no registration statement has been filed by or on behalf of a candidate for state or local office in accordance with s. 11.0202 (1) (a) by the applicable deadline for filing nomination papers by such candidate, or the deadline for filing a declaration of candidacy for an office for which nomination papers are not filed, the name of the candidate may not appear on the ballot. This subsection may not be construed to exempt a candidate from applicable penalties if he or she files a registration statement later than the time prescribed in s. 11.0202 (1) (a).
(2m)
The official or agency with whom nomination papers and declarations of candidacy are required to be filed shall not place a candidate's name on the ballot if the candidate's name is ineligible for ballot placement under s. 5.05 (2m) (d) 2., 15.61 (3), or 19.49 (2) (c) 2.
(3)
The official or agency with whom declarations of candidacy are required to be filed may not place a candidate's name on the ballot if the official or agency is prohibited from doing so under s. 19.43 (4) or an ordinance adopted under s. 19.59 (3) (b).
(4)
The official or agency with whom a declaration of candidacy is required to be filed may not place a candidate's name on the ballot if the candidate fails to file a declaration of candidacy within the time prescribed under s. 8.21.
History:  1975 c. 93; 1979 c. 120, 328; 1979 c. 355 ss. 28, 29; 1983 a. 484; 1985 a. 304; 1987 a. 391; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 149, 177; 2007 a. 1; 2015 a. 117, 118.
A petitioner who timely filed with the county clerk rather than with the State Elections Board under former s. 8.10 (6) (a), 1975 stats., was barred from the ballot. State ex rel. Ahlgrimm v. State Elections Board, 82 Wis. 2d 585, 263 N.W.2d 152 (1978).
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.37 - Filing of referenda petitions or questions.

8.37
Filing of referenda petitions or questions.
Unless otherwise required by law, all proposed constitutional amendments and any other measure or question that is to be submitted to a vote of the people, or any petitions requesting that a measure or question be submitted to a vote of the people, if applicable, shall be filed with the official or agency responsible for preparing the ballots for the election no later than 70 days prior to the election at which the amendment, measure or question will appear on the ballot. No later than the end of the next business day after a proposed measure is filed with a school district clerk under this section, the clerk shall file a copy of the measure or question with the clerk of each county having territory within the school district.
History:  1999 a. 182; 2005 a. 451; 2011 a. 75.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.40 - Petition requirements.

8.40
Petition requirements.
(1)
In addition to any other requirements provided by law, each separate sheet of each petition for an election, including a referendum, shall have on the face at the top in boldface print the word “PETITION". Each signer of such a petition shall affix his or her signature to the petition, accompanied by his or her municipality of residence for voting purposes, the street and number, if any, on which the signer resides, and the date of signing. In addition, each signer shall legibly print his or her name in a space provided next to his or her signature. No signature is valid under this subsection unless the signer satisfies the requirements under this subsection.
(2)
The certification of a qualified circulator stating his or her residence with street and number, if any, shall appear at the bottom of each separate sheet of each petition specified in sub. (1), stating that he or she personally circulated the petition and personally obtained each of the signatures; that the circulator knows that they are electors of the jurisdiction or district in which the petition is circulated; that the circulator knows that they signed the paper with full knowledge of its content; that the circulator knows their respective residences given; that the circulator knows that each signer signed on the date stated opposite his or her name; that the circulator is a qualified elector of this state, or if not a qualified elector of this state, that the circulator is a U.S. citizen age 18 or older who, if he or she were a resident of this state, would not be disqualified from voting under s. 6.03; and that the circulator is aware that falsifying the certification is punishable under s. 12.13 (3) (a). The circulator shall indicate the date that he or she makes the certification next to his or her signature.
(3)
The commission shall, by rule, prescribe standards consistent with this chapter and s. 9.10 (2) to be used by all election officials and governing bodies in determining the validity of petitions for elections and signatures thereon.
History:  1989 a. 192; 1997 a. 35; 1999 a. 182; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 451; 2013 a. 160; 2015 a. 118 s. 266 (10); 2017 a. 365 s. 111.
The residence requirement for nomination paper circulators in former sub. (2), 2003 stats., as applied to Wisconsin residents who circulate papers outside the political subdivision in which they reside and to nonresidents violates the 1st amendment right of free speech. Frami v. Ponto, 255 F. Supp. 2d 962 (2003).
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 8 - Nominations, primaries, elections. › 8.55 - Special referenda.

8.55
Special referenda.
(1)
Whenever a special referendum is called, the clerk of the jurisdiction which calls the special referendum shall publish a type A notice of the special referendum on the 4th Tuesday preceding the special referendum.
(2)
The clerk of the jurisdiction which calls a special referendum shall publish type B and C notices of the special referendum on the day preceding the special referendum.
(3)
Whenever a special county referendum is called, the municipal clerk of each municipality which is wholly or partly contained within the county shall publish type D and E notices of the special referendum at the times specified in s. 10.06 (3). Whenever a special municipal referendum is called, the municipal clerk of that municipality shall publish type D and E notices of the special referendum at the times specified in s. 10.06 (3). Whenever a special referendum is called by a special purpose district, the clerk of the jurisdiction which calls a special referendum shall publish type D and E notices of the referendum at the times specified in s. 10.06 (4). If an election for national, state, county or municipal office or a state, county or municipal referendum is called in a municipality on the same day that a special referendum is called by a special purpose district in the same municipality, the type D and E notices shall be published only by the municipal clerk.
(4)
Whenever the clerks of more than one jurisdiction are required under this section to publish the same notice on the same day, they may publish one notice only and share the cost under s. 10.07 (1).
History:  1987 a. 391.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 10 - Election notices. › 10.03 - Cross-references required.

10.03
Cross-references required.
Whenever possible the complete election notice shall appear on a single page of the newspaper. If this is impracticable, a footnote in 12-point caps shall indicate the page where the notice is continued. At the top of each succeeding page, or column of the notice, shall appear in 12-point caps and figures the notation, “For information to Electors and other facsimile ballots, see page ....".
History:  1993 a. 213.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 10 - Election notices. › 10.04 - Newspaper selection and fees.

10.04
Newspaper selection and fees.
(1)
Election notices required by law to be published may be published only in newspapers qualified under ch. 985.
(2)
(a)
County clerks shall publish election notices in all newspapers published within the county that qualify under ch. 985 unless the county board provides otherwise by resolution.
(b)
The board of election commissioners or governing body of a municipality may authorize by resolution the publication of election notices in more than one newspaper. The resolution may name the newspapers in which all election notices shall appear.
(3)
(a)
Whenever, in chs. 5 to 12, provision is made for the publication of a notice on a specific date and a weekly newspaper is chosen, the notice shall appear in that newspaper's closest preceding issue. Whenever, in chs. 5 to 12, provision is made for the publication of a notice on the day before an election and the county or municipal clerk who is responsible for publishing the notice determines that, due to the method of delivering newspapers in the municipality, more effective notice will be provided by publication at an earlier date, the municipal clerk may publish the notice not earlier than 3 days before the election.
(b)
Whenever, in chs. 5 to 12, provision is made for publication of an election notice by more than one insertion, this may be done (in counties over 200,000 population) by publication in one or more newspapers on the dates prescribed or in different newspapers at least equal in number to the number of insertions required. When different newspapers are used, the publications shall always be in each newspaper's latest issue preceding the last given date for publishing that notice.
(4)
Compensation for publishing all notices may not exceed that authorized for legal notices under s. 985.08.
History:  1977 c. 427; 1979 c. 89; 1985 a. 304.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 10 - Election notices. › 10.05 - Posting of notice.

10.05
Posting of notice.
Unless specifically designated elsewhere, this section applies to villages, towns and school districts. Whenever a notice is required to be published, a village, town or school district may post 3 notices in lieu of publication under ch. 985 whenever there is not a newspaper published within the village, town or school district or whenever the governing body of the village, town or school district chooses to post in order to supplement notice provided in a newspaper. Whenever the manner of giving notice is changed by the governing body, the body shall give notice of the change in the manner used before the change. Whenever posting is used, the notices shall be posted no later than the day prescribed by law for publication, or if that day falls within the week preceding the election to be noticed, at least one week before the election. All notices given for the same election shall be given in the same manner.
History:  1987 a. 391.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 10 - Election notices. › 10.07 - Combination of notices; cost.

10.07
Combination of notices; cost.
(1)
Except as provided in sub. (2) in the case of voting machine ballots, whenever any county clerk or municipal or school district clerks within the same county are directed to publish any notice or portion of a notice under this chapter on the same date in the same newspaper, the text of which is identical, the clerks may publish one notice only. The cost of publication of such notice or the portion of the notice required shall be apportioned equally between the county and each municipality or school district sharing in its publication.
(2)
When a voting machine ballot or ballot to be used with an electronic voting system includes 2 or more levels of government, the cost of giving the type B notice shall be prorated under s. 5.68 (3).
History:  1977 c. 427; 1979 c. 311; 1985 a. 304 ss. 130m, 156.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 11 - Campaign financing. › 11.0100 - Construction.

11.0100
Construction.
This chapter shall be construed to impose the least possible restraint on persons whose activities do not directly affect the elective process, consistent with the right of the public to have a full, complete, and readily understandable accounting of those activities expressly advocating for or against candidates for office or for or against referendums. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to regulate issue discussion, debate, or advocacy; grassroots outreach or lobbying; nonpartisan voter registration or turnout efforts; or the rights of the media.
History:  2015 a. 117.
Campaign Finance in Wisconsin After Buckley. Anderson. 1976 WLR 816.