How to Run for Office in Wisconsin

Pick your county to see what running for office takes.

A plain-language guide to getting on the ballot in every one of Wisconsin's 72 counties. There is no cash filing fee anywhere in the state -- every candidate gets on with nomination papers filed at the county clerk's office. County Board Supervisor is a 2-year nonpartisan seat on the April Spring Election; County Clerk, Treasurer, Sheriff, Register of Deeds and District Attorney are 4-year partisan seats on the November ballot in gubernatorial years. Each guide covers both calendars, the signature counts, and your county clerk's contact card. Click the map or use the list.

All 72 Wisconsin counties. Click any county for its guide.

All 72 Wisconsin counties

Alphabetical. Each links to that county’s “how to run for office” guide.

Statewide rules, filing basics and official links: how to run for office in Wisconsin.

Adams County Ashland County Barron County Bayfield County Brown County Buffalo County Burnett County Calumet County Chippewa County Clark County Columbia County Crawford County Dane County Dodge County Door County Douglas County Dunn County Eau Claire County Florence County Fond du Lac County Forest County Grant County Green County Green Lake County Iowa County Iron County Jackson County Jefferson County Juneau County Kenosha County Kewaunee County La Crosse County Lafayette County Langlade County Lincoln County Manitowoc County Marathon County Marinette County Marquette County Menominee County Milwaukee County Monroe County Oconto County Oneida County Outagamie County Ozaukee County Pepin County Pierce County Polk County Portage County Price County Racine County Richland County Rock County Rusk County Sauk County Sawyer County Shawano County Sheboygan County St. Croix County Taylor County Trempealeau County Vernon County Vilas County Walworth County Washburn County Washington County Waukesha County Waupaca County Waushara County Winnebago County Wood County

The 2027 ballot in Wisconsin.

These 2027 dates are confirmed against the state's own published calendar or statute. Anything our research could not confirm is left off this page rather than estimated.

February 16, 2027 Primary — Local and judicial. Spring primary, held only where more than twice as many candidates file as there are seats: Wisconsin Supreme Court and other judicial seats, school boards, and city, village and town offices.
Candidate filing: opens Dec 1, 2026, closes Jan 5, 2027.
Source 1 · Source 2

April 6, 2027 Nonpartisan — Municipal and school. Spring election: mayors and alderpersons, village presidents and trustees, town board chairs and supervisors, municipal judges, and school board members whose terms expire.
Candidate filing: opens Dec 1, 2026, closes Jan 5, 2027.
Source 1 · Source 2

2027 dates can move, and a municipality can change its own election date by ordinance. Which seats are on a given ballot depends on when each was last filled. Confirm anything you are relying on with the county election office before you act on it.

Running somewhere in Wisconsin?

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