Want to run for public office? Deadlines are coming up

The nomination period for the spring election opened Dec. 1, and local citizens who wish to run for school, village or town boards can now circulate papers and begin readying their campaigns. If you live in the area represented by a seat in the election, you are likely eligible to run. 

While there have been few contested races for local office in recent years, a new year brings a new chance for citizens to actively participate in their republic at the ground level. 

Candidates for local offices must file ballot access forms with their local clerk. The forms are all available from the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Visit elections.wi.gov to download the forms. 

The spring primary, where needed, will take place February 18. The spring election and presidential preference primary, which should boost turnout at the polls, will take place April 7. 

To run for school board

Each of the following forms must be completed and filed on time by a candidate for School District office in order for the candidate’s name to be placed on the ballot at the February 18, 2020 Spring Primary and the April 7, 2020 Spring Election.

The filing officer for School District offices is the School District Clerk.  Candidates should contact their filing officer for further information or to obtain any of the necessary forms.

All School District Candidates must complete and submit a registration statement (Form CF-1) to the filing officer no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, or the candidate’s name will not be placed on the ballot. If the form is faxed or emailed, the original document must follow postmarked no later than January 7, 2020. 

New Candidates must file a campaign registration statement before campaign funds are collected or spent or before submitting nomination papers (if required).

Incumbent candidates must amend their current registration, including the office sought and the new primary and election dates before campaign funds are collected or spent or before submitting nomination papers (if required).

All candidates must complete and Submit a Declaration of Candidacy (Form EL-162sd) to the filing officer no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 or the candidate’s name will not be placed on the ballot. If the form is faxed or emailed, the original document must follow, postmarked no later than January 7, 2020. 

If nomination papers are used, a school district candidate must also circulate and submit nomination papers for Nonpartisan Office (Form EL-169) to the filing officer no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.  Only original nomination papers (no photocopies, faxes, or emailed documents) will be accepted. Nomination papers may not be circulated before December 1, 2019. 

The number of signatures required depends of the size and class of the district. 

To run for village or town board

Each of the following forms must be completed and filed on time by a candidate for municipal office in order for the candidate’s name to be placed on the ballot at the February 18, 2020 Spring Primary and the April 7, 2020 Spring Election.

In all municipalities except Milwaukee the filing officer is the municipal clerk.  Candidates should contact their filing officer for further information or to obtain any of the necessary forms.

Complete and Submit a Registration Statement (Form CF-1) to the filing officer no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 or the candidate’s name will not be placed on the ballot. If the form is faxed or emailed, the original document must follow postmarked no later than January 7, 2020.  

New candidates must file a campaign registration statement before campaign funds are collected or spent or before submitting nomination papers.  

Incumbent candidates must amend their current registration, indicating the office sought and the new primary and election dates before funds are collected or spent or before submitting nomination papers. 

All candidates must complete and submit a Declaration of Candidacy (Form EL-162) to the filing officer no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 or the candidate’s name will not be placed on the ballot.  If the form is faxed or emailed, the original document must follow, postmarked no later than January 7, 2020. 

All candidates must also circulate and Submit Nomination Papers for Nonpartisan Office (Form EL-169) to the filing officer no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 or the candidate’s name will not be placed on the ballot.  Only original nomination papers (no photocopies, faxes, or emailed documents) will be accepted. Nomination papers may not be circulated before December 1, 2019. 

Nominations by Caucus

Not all ballots are determined by gathering signatures. In some communities, particularly smaller ones, a caucus system is used to determine who will run for office. 

Each of the following forms must be completed and filed by all candidates nominated at the caucus for municipal office for the April 7, 2020 Spring Election.  If the forms are not filed by the deadline, the candidate’s name will not be placed on the ballot.

For municipal elections, the filing officer is the municipal clerk. Candidates should contact their filing officer for further information or to obtain any of the necessary forms.

Candidates must complete and submit a Registration Statement (Form CF-1) to the filing officer no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 5th day after receipt of written notification of nomination at the caucus.  If a current registration statement is not filed by the 5th day after receipt of written notification, the candidate’s name will not be placed on the ballot. If the form is faxed or emailed, the original document must follow, postmarked no later than the 5th day after receipt of written notification. 

Caucus candidates must also complete and submit a Declaration of Candidacy (Form EL 162) to the filing officer no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 5th day after receipt of written notification of nomination at the caucus.  If this form is not filed by the 5th day after notification, the candidate’s name will not be placed on the ballot.  If the form is faxed or emailed, the original document must follow, postmarked no later than the 5th day after receipt of written notification. Wis. Stat. §§ 8.05(1)(j), 8.21, 8.30(4),

AN IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING STATEMENTS OF ECONOMIC INTERESTS:  

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).  The ordinance may also provide that failure to timely file an SEI will prevent the candidate’s name from being placed on the ballot. Contact the filing officer to learn if this requirement applies to you.

The following elected officials are up 

for reelection.

Village of Prairie du Sac, Trustee:

Craig Bender

Lauri Meixelsperger

Andrew Strathman

Village of Sauk City, Trustee:

Steve Haag

Abigail Strunz (now Abigail Butson)

Robert Dederich

Village of Mazomanie, Trustee:

Natalie Beil

Ray Schlamp

Jeri Springstead

Village of Black Earth, Trustee:

Tom Parrell

James Coyle

Ted Pritchett

Town of Black Earth, Supervisor:

No election. Elections are in odd years

Town of Prairie du Sac, Supervisor:

Did not respond by press time

Town of Mazomanie, Supervisor:

Stan Beuthin

Dan Behringer

Caucus, Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m.

Supervisors, chairman, treasurer, and clerk

Sauk Prairie School Distirct, Board Member:

Richard Judge

Marianne Marx

Wisconsin Heights School District, Board Member:

James Kartman

Mary Beth Schall