Filing deadlines · Wisconsin

Wisconsin candidate filing & campaign-finance deadlines

Official 2026 report due dates for Wisconsin state candidates file with Wisconsin Ethics Commission.

Verified deadlines loaded
Last updated August 27, 2026
Next deadline in Wisconsin
WI September Report

2 more deadlines follow in this cycle.

Electbase emails you before every deadline — 14, 7, and 2 days out — and stays current as the official schedule changes.

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This page also covers Wisconsin candidate-filing (ballot access) deadlines for 2027–2028 — the process of becoming a qualified candidate, distinct from the campaign-finance reporting below. Here's how to run for office in Wisconsin: what to file, when, and with whom.

The 2026 cycle

6 report deadlines for the 2026 cycle.

These are the campaign-finance report due dates a Wisconsin state candidate files with Wisconsin Ethics Commission for the 2026 election cycle, stored verbatim from the official schedule. The 2026 primary is Aug 11, 2026.

DueTypeReportCovers
Annual/Year-end
WI January Continuing Report
Continuing report due January 15, covering July 1 – December 31, 2025.
 Jul 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025
Periodic
WI July Continuing Report
Continuing report due July 15, covering January 1 – June 30, 2026.
 Jan 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026
Pre-election
WI Fall Pre-Primary Report
Pre-primary report due 8 days before the August 11 partisan primary, covering through the 15th day before.
 Jul 1, 2026 – Jul 27, 2026
Periodic
WI September Report
Even-year September 30 report covering post-pre-primary activity through September 23.
 Jul 28, 2026 – Sep 23, 2026
Pre-election
WI Fall Pre-Election Report
Pre-election report due 8 days before the November 3 general, covering through the 15th day before.
 Sep 24, 2026 – Oct 19, 2026
Post-election
WI January Continuing Report (cycle close-out)
Continuing report due January 15, 2027 — mandatory for committees whose candidate appeared on the 2026 ballot.
 Oct 20, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026

Shaded rows are deadlines that have already passed.

Good to know

This is Schedule B — committees of fall partisan candidates on the 2026 ballot. Pre-primary and pre-election reports may be filed starting 14 days before the election; the date shown is the final deadline (8 days before). Deadlines falling on a non-business day move to the next business day.

Filing to run for office

Wisconsin candidate-filing deadlines — 2027–2028.

Deadlines to become a qualified candidate for office in Wisconsin — declarations of candidacy, nominating petitions, and related ballot-access filing requirements — compiled from Wisconsin Elections Commission. Distinct from the campaign-finance report deadlines above.

2027

Municipal

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

Municipal Mayor, City Council, Town Board

All Wisconsin Municipalities · 2027 Wisconsin Municipal Elections ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing

Petition deadline: Jan 5, 2027

Files with: Municipal Clerk (specific municipality)

Signatures: Nomination papers with valid signatures from qualified voters residing in municipality

Statutory rule: Filing deadline for municipal nonpartisan candidates is 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday in January preceding the spring election. (works out to Jan 5, 2027)

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 8, Section 8.03(1), 8.10(2)(a); Wisconsin Statute Chapter 62 · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for Municipal Mayor, City Council, Town Board in All Wisconsin Municipalities for the 2027 Wisconsin Municipal Elections (Apr 6, 2027) closes Jan 5, 2027 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Dec 1, 2026. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Wisconsin Legislature.

School Board

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

School Board Member

All Wisconsin Independent School Districts · 2027 Wisconsin School Board Elections ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing

Petition deadline: Jan 5, 2027

Files with: School District Clerk (specific district)

Signatures: Nomination papers with valid signatures from qualified voters of school district (specific number per district size)

Statutory rule: Filing deadline for school board candidates is 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday in January preceding the April spring election. (works out to Jan 5, 2027)

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 8, Section 8.03(1), 8.10(2)(a); Wisconsin Statute Chapter 119 · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for School Board Member in All Wisconsin Independent School Districts for the 2027 Wisconsin School Board Elections (Apr 6, 2027) closes Jan 5, 2027 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Dec 1, 2026. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Wisconsin Legislature.

2028

Federal

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

President of the United States

Statewide · 2028 Wisconsin Presidential Preference Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Files with: Wisconsin Elections Commission

Signatures: Petition with signatures of registered Wisconsin voters (specific number not statutorily defined for presidential candidates in preference primary)

Statutory rule: Filing deadline is last Tuesday in January of the presidential election year at 5 p.m. (works out to Jan 25, 2028)

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 8, Section 8.12(1)(c) and 8.15(7) · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for President of the United States in Statewide for the 2028 Wisconsin Presidential Preference Primary Election (Feb 15, 2028) closes Jan 25, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Jan 3, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Wisconsin Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives

Statewide · 2028 Wisconsin Partisan Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Files with: Wisconsin Elections Commission

Signatures: Not less than 2,000 nor more than 4,000 valid signatures of registered voters for statewide offices; fewer for congressional and other offices per statutory formula

Statutory rule: Filing deadline for partisan primary candidates is June 1 preceding the partisan primary election. (works out to Jun 1, 2027)

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 8, Section 8.15(1), 8.15(2), 8.10(2)(a) · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Wisconsin Partisan Primary Election (Aug 8, 2028) closes Jun 1, 2027 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Apr 15, 2027. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Wisconsin Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

U.S. Senate, U.S. House, State Senate, State Assembly

Statewide · 2028 Wisconsin General Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Independent · Deadline type: Independent candidate filing

Petition deadline: Jun 1, 2027 · Withdrawal deadline: Jul 15, 2027

Files with: Wisconsin Elections Commission

Signatures: Nominating petition with valid signatures of qualified electors of the state (specific number per statute: see evidence note)

Statutory rule: Independent candidate nomination paper filing deadline is June 1 preceding the partisan primary (which anchors to the general election cycle). (works out to Jun 1, 2027)

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 8, Section 8.20(8)(a) · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, State Senate, State Assembly in Statewide for the 2028 Wisconsin General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Jun 1, 2027 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Apr 15, 2027. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Wisconsin Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

President of the United States (Independent)

Statewide · 2028 Wisconsin General Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Independent · Deadline type: Independent candidate filing

Petition deadline: Aug 1, 2028

Files with: Wisconsin Elections Commission

Signatures: Nominating petition with valid signatures of registered Wisconsin voters

Statutory rule: Filing deadline for independent presidential candidates is first Tuesday in August of the presidential election year at 5 p.m. (works out to Aug 1, 2028)

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 8, Section 8.20(8)(am) · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for President of the United States (Independent) in Statewide for the 2028 Wisconsin General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Aug 1, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Jul 1, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Wisconsin Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

U.S. Senate, U.S. House, State Senate, State Assembly

Statewide · 2028 Wisconsin General Election ·

Filing window: Closes

Candidacy method: Write In · Deadline type: Write-in filing

Write-in deadline: Nov 10, 2028

Files with: Wisconsin Elections Commission

Signatures: Declaration of Candidacy (EL-162) required

Statutory rule: Write-in candidate declaration of candidacy filing deadline is 4:30 p.m. on the Friday following the general election. (works out to Nov 10, 2028)

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 8, Section 8.16(2), 8.35(1) · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, State Senate, State Assembly in Statewide for the 2028 Wisconsin General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Nov 10, 2028 at 4:30 PM America/Chicago. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Wisconsin Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

U.S. Senate, U.S. House, State Senate, State Assembly

Statewide · 2028 Wisconsin General Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Minor Party · Deadline type: Ballot access

Petition deadline: Jun 1, 2027 · Party certification: Apr 1, 2027

Files with: Wisconsin Elections Commission

Signatures: Party must first file petition with at least 10,000 signatures (including at least 1,000 from each of at least three separate congressional districts) by April 1 to gain ballot status

Statutory rule: Minor party ballot status certification must occur by April 1. Individual candidates file nomination papers by June 1 preceding the general election. (works out to Jun 1, 2027)

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 8, Section 8.05; Wisconsin Elections Commission ballot access procedures · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, State Senate, State Assembly in Statewide for the 2028 Wisconsin General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Jun 1, 2027 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Apr 15, 2027. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Wisconsin Legislature.

State Legislative

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

Wisconsin State Senate and State Assembly

Statewide · 2028 Wisconsin Partisan Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Files with: Wisconsin Elections Commission

Signatures: Nomination papers must contain valid signatures of registered voters in the legislative district

Statutory rule: Filing deadline for partisan primary candidates is June 1 preceding the partisan primary election. (works out to Jun 1, 2027)

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 8, Section 8.15 · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for Wisconsin State Senate and State Assembly in Statewide for the 2028 Wisconsin Partisan Primary Election (Aug 8, 2028) closes Jun 1, 2027 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Apr 15, 2027. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Wisconsin Legislature.

Judicial

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice

Statewide · 2028 Wisconsin Spring Judicial Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing

Petition deadline: Jan 4, 2028

Files with: Wisconsin Elections Commission

Signatures: Nomination papers with valid signatures from Wisconsin registered voters

Statutory rule: Supreme Court filing deadline is 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday in January preceding the April spring election. (works out to Jan 4, 2028)

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 8, Section 8.03(1), 8.10(2)(a); Wisconsin Court System information · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice in Statewide for the 2028 Wisconsin Spring Judicial Election (Apr 4, 2028) closes Jan 4, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Dec 1, 2027. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Wisconsin Legislature and Wisconsin Court System.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

Circuit Court Judge

Wisconsin Counties · 2028 Wisconsin Spring Judicial Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing

Petition deadline: Jan 4, 2028

Files with: Wisconsin Elections Commission or County Clerk

Signatures: Nomination papers with valid signatures from registered voters of circuit court jurisdiction

Statutory rule: Circuit court judge filing deadline is 5 p.m. on first Tuesday in January preceding April spring election. (works out to Jan 4, 2028)

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 8, Section 8.03(1), 8.10(2)(a); Wisconsin Statute Chapter 753 · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for Circuit Court Judge in Wisconsin Counties for the 2028 Wisconsin Spring Judicial Election (Apr 4, 2028) closes Jan 4, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Dec 1, 2027. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Wisconsin Legislature.

County

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

County Clerk, County Register of Deeds, County Treasurer

All Wisconsin Counties · 2028 Wisconsin General Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Files with: Wisconsin County Clerk (specific county)

Signatures: Nomination papers with valid signatures from registered voters of county

Statutory rule: County partisan candidates file under same June 1 deadline as state and federal partisan candidates. (works out to Jun 1, 2027)

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 8, Section 8.10(2)(a); Wisconsin Statute Chapter 59 · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for County Clerk, County Register of Deeds, County Treasurer in All Wisconsin Counties for the 2028 Wisconsin General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Jun 1, 2027 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Apr 15, 2027. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Wisconsin Legislature.

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Electbase compiles these dates from official state sources as a workflow aid. It is not legal advice. Confirm every deadline with your filing authority before you rely on it.

Last updated August 27, 2026

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