Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 8.15 (2026)
Nominations for partisan primary
✓ current as of July 2026
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8.15(1)(1) Nomination papers may be circulated no sooner than April 15 preceding the general election and may be filed no later than 5 p.m. on June 1 preceding the partisan primary, except as authorized in this subsection. If an incumbent fails to file nomination papers and a declaration of candidacy by 5 p.m. on June 1 preceding the partisan primary, all candidates for the office held by the incumbent, other than the incumbent, may file nomination papers no later than 72 hours after the latest time prescribed in this subsection. No extension of the time for filing nomination papers applies if the incumbent files written notification with the filing officer or agency with whom nomination papers are filed for the office which the incumbent holds, no later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd Friday preceding the latest time prescribed in this subsection for filing nomination papers, that the incumbent is not a candidate for reelection to his or her office, and the incumbent does not file nomination papers for that office within the time prescribed in this subsection. Only those candidates for whom nomination papers containing the necessary signatures acquired within the allotted time and filed before the deadline may have their names appear on the official partisan primary ballot.
8.15(1m)(1m) If, under sub. (1), an incumbent holding local office files written notification that the incumbent is not a candidate for reelection to his or her office or fails to file a declaration of candidacy within the time prescribed in sub. (1), the officer or body with whom the declaration of candidacy is required to be filed shall promptly provide public notice of that fact on the officer’s or body’s Internet site or, if the officer or body does not maintain an Internet site, by posting notices in at least 3 different locations within the jurisdiction that the officer or body serves.
8.15(2)(2) Only one signature per person for the same office is valid. In addition to his or her signature, in order for the signature to be valid, each signer of a nomination paper shall legibly print his or her name in a space provided next to his or her signature and shall list 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.
8.15(3)(3) All signers on each separate nomination paper for all state offices, county offices, and the offices of U.S. senator and representative in congress shall reside in the jurisdiction or district which the candidate named on the paper will represent, if elected.
8.15(4)(a)(a) The certification of a qualified circulator who is a qualified elector of this state stating his or her residence with street and number, if any, shall appear at the bottom of each nomination paper, stating he or she personally circulated the nomination paper and personally obtained each of the signatures; he or she knows they are electors of the ward, aldermanic district, municipality or county, as the nomination papers require; he or she knows they signed the paper with full knowledge of its content; he or she knows their respective residences given; he or she knows each signer signed on the date stated opposite his or her name; and, that he or she, the circulator, is a qualified elector of this state; that he or she intends to support the candidate; and that he or she 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. The certification may be made by the candidate or any qualified circulator.
8.15(4)(b)(b) Nomination papers shall be accompanied by a declaration of candidacy under s. 8.21. If a candidate for state or local office has not filed a registration statement under s. 11.0202 (1) (a) at the time he or she files nomination papers, the candidate shall file the statement with the papers. A candidate for state office shall also file a statement of economic interests with the ethics commission under s. 19.43 (4) no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd day following the last day for filing nomination papers under sub. (1), or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the next business day after the last day whenever that candidate is granted an extension of time for filing nomination papers under sub. (1).
8.15(5)(a)(a) Each nomination paper shall have substantially the following words printed at the top:
I, the undersigned, request that the name of (insert candidate’s last name plus first name, nickname or initial, and middle name, former legal surname, nickname or middle initial or initials if desired, but no other abbreviations or titles) residing at (insert candidate’s street address) be placed on the ballot at the (general or special) election to be held on (date of election) as a candidate representing the (name of party) so that voters will have the opportunity to vote for (him or her) for the office of (name of office). I am eligible to vote in (name of jurisdiction or district in which candidate seeks office). I have not signed the nomination paper of any other candidate for the same office at this election.
8.15(5)(b)(b) Each candidate shall include his or her mailing address on the candidate’s nomination papers.
8.15(6)(dm)(dm) For district attorneys, not less than 500 nor more than 1,000 electors in prosecutorial units over 100,000 population and not less than 200 nor more than 400 electors in prosecutorial units of 100,000 population or less.
8.15(6)(e)(e) For county offices, not less than 500 nor more than 1,000 electors in counties over 100,000 population and not less than 200 nor more than 400 electors in counties of 100,000 population or less.
8.15(7)(7) A candidate may not run in more than one party primary at the same time. No filing official may accept nomination papers for the same person in the same election for more than one party. A person who files nomination papers as the candidate of a recognized political party may not file nomination papers as an independent candidate for the same office at the same election.
8.15(8)(a)(a) For state offices and the offices of U.S. senator and representative in congress, in the office of the commission.
8.15(8)(b)(b) For county offices, in the office of the county clerk or board of election commissioners.
8.15(9)(9) If a candidate submits nomination papers with more than the maximum number of required signatures prescribed under sub. (6), but the filing official determines that the maximum number of required signatures does not result in a sufficient number of valid signatures, the filing official shall review the additional signatures to the extent necessary to determine whether the candidate has collected a sufficient number of valid signatures.
8.15 HistoryHistory: 1971 c. 304 ss. 13, 29 (1), (2); 1973 c. 334 s. 57; 1977 c. 107, 427; 1979 c. 249, 260, 311; 1983 a. 29, 484; 1985 a. 304; 1989 a. 31; 1993 a. 140, 213, 266; 1999 a. 182; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 451; 2007 a. 1; 2011 a. 32, 75; 2013 a. 160; 2015 a. 117; 2015 a. 118 ss. 99, 266 (10); 2017 a. 365 s. 111; 2017 a. 366; 2021 a. 33; 2023 a. 125; 2025 a. 126.
8.15 AnnotationThe legislature authorized the Wisconsin Elections Commission to promulgate rules in determining the validity of nomination papers and signatures thereon under s. 8.07. By the plain language of the rules that require that information contained within nomination papers be considered complete if it substantially complies with the statutory requirements, strict compliance with this section is not required. The use of the word “shall” in subs. (4) (a) and (5) merely signals that certain content be present on the nomination form. While there are content requirements for nomination papers under both subs. (4) (a) and (5), how that content appears and is formatted on the nomination paper is not specified. Hess v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, 2024 WI App 46, 413 Wis. 2d 285, 11 N.W.3d 201, 23-1350.
8.15 AnnotationThe ban on multiple party nominations under sub. (7) does not burden the associational rights of political parties and is justified by compelling state interests. Swamp v. Kennedy, 950 F.2d 383 (1991).
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 15
cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1974–2024 · leading case: Frami v. Ponto, 255 F. Supp. 2d 962 (W.D. Wis. 2003).
Frami v. Ponto, 255 F. Supp. 2d 962 (W.D. Wis. 2003). “Specifically, plaintiffs object to the statutory requirement that a person who circulates a nomination petition must reside within the district that the candidate named in the petition will represent if he or she is elected.”
State Ex Rel. Ahlgrimm v. State Elections Bd., 263 N.W.2d 152 (Wis. 1978). “10 (6) governing the place of filing nomination papers for circuit judgeships to be mandatory. Failure to timely file the papers in the proper place prevents the candidate’s name from being placed on the ballot.”
Blair v. Hebl, 498 F. Supp. 756 (W.D. Wis. 1980). “15, persons wishing to run for state or county office or for the state or national legislature may qualify for the September primary election by circulating nomination papers no sooner than June 1 preceding the election and no later than the second Tuesday of July. For a county…”
Morgan Hess v. Wisconsin Elections Comm'n, 2024 WI App 46 (Wis. Ct. App. 2024). “The Substantial Compliance Standard ¶20 Hess argues that WEC erroneously evaluated Melotik’s nomination papers using a standard of substantial compliance with the statutory requirements found in WIS.”
In Matter of Recall of Redner, 450 N.W.2d 808 (Wis. Ct. App. 1989). “Redner next attacks the failure of many of the petition's signatories to list their municipality of residence, as required by sec. 8.15(2), Stats. 4 As amended, the city of residence was included, although Redner alleges this was done by someone other than the original signer.”
Fine v. Elections Bd. of Wisconsin, 289 N.W.2d 823 (Wis. 1980). “” This is also in substance the present form of sec. 8.15(5), Stats., which governs the form of nominating papers.”
Stahovic v. Rajchel, 363 N.W.2d 243 (Wis. Ct. App. 1984). “Among other things, the section provides that only one signature per person for the same office is valid, that each signer shall list his or her residence and address and the date of signing, and that the affidavit of the qualified elector who circulated the petition must appear…”
Billie Johnson v. Wisconsin Elections Comm'n, 2022 WI 19 (Wis. 2022). “Wis. Stat. § 8.15 (1). The per curiam opinion, undoubtedly by design, facilitates an 33Rather than admitting its error, the dissent complains the United States Supreme Court created a new legal standard despite the Court's straightforward explanation of longstanding law.”
Recall of Jensen v. Miesbauer, 360 N.W.2d 535 (Wis. Ct. App. 1984). “Because the false affidavits did not 'create a presumption that the recall petitions were circulated in substantial compliance with sec. 8.15, Stats., and because the trial court excluded other evidence offered to show that the petitions were properly circulated, we reverse the…”
In Matter of Recall of Haase, 353 N.W.2d 821 (Wis. Ct. App. 1984). “, the preparation and form of the recall petitions is governed by sec. 8.15, Stats., which provides, in relevant part, that a candidate’s nomination papers and sworn declaration are valid even without the seal impression of the authorized officer who administered the oath.”
Beckstrom v. Kornsi, 217 N.W.2d 283 (Wis. 1974). “” Sec. 8.15, Stats., concerns the circulation of nomination papers for the September primary election and sub.”
Billie Johnson v. Wisconsin Elections Comm'n, 2022 WI 19 (Wis. 2022). “Wis. Stat. § 8.15 (1). The per curiam opinion, undoubtedly by design, facilitates an expeditious resolution of this case so as not to cause unnecessary election chaos or confusion.”
— Wis. Stat. § 8.15(1) — 2 cases
State Ex Rel. Ahlgrimm v. State Elections Bd., 263 N.W.2d 152 (Wis. 1978). “10 (6) governing the place of filing nomination papers for circuit judgeships to be mandatory. Failure to timely file the papers in the proper place prevents the candidate’s name from being placed on the ballot.”
Blair v. Hebl, 498 F. Supp. 756 (W.D. Wis. 1980). “15, persons wishing to run for state or county office or for the state or national legislature may qualify for the September primary election by circulating nomination papers no sooner than June 1 preceding the election and no later than the second Tuesday of July. For a county…”
— Wis. Stat. § 8.15(2) — 1 case
In Matter of Recall of Redner, 450 N.W.2d 808 (Wis. Ct. App. 1989). “Redner next attacks the failure of many of the petition's signatories to list their municipality of residence, as required by sec. 8.15(2), Stats. 4 As amended, the city of residence was included, although Redner alleges this was done by someone other than the original signer.”
— Wis. Stat. § 8.15(3) — 1 case
Frami v. Ponto, 255 F. Supp. 2d 962 (W.D. Wis. 2003). “Specifically, plaintiffs object to the statutory requirement that a person who circulates a nomination petition must reside within the district that the candidate named in the petition will represent if he or she is elected.”
— Wis. Stat. § 8.15(4)(a) — 4 cases
Frami v. Ponto, 255 F. Supp. 2d 962 (W.D. Wis. 2003). “Specifically, plaintiffs object to the statutory requirement that a person who circulates a nomination petition must reside within the district that the candidate named in the petition will represent if he or she is elected.”
In Matter of Recall of Redner, 450 N.W.2d 808 (Wis. Ct. App. 1989). “Redner next attacks the failure of many of the petition's signatories to list their municipality of residence, as required by sec. 8.15(2), Stats. 4 As amended, the city of residence was included, although Redner alleges this was done by someone other than the original signer.”
Morgan Hess v. Wisconsin Elections Comm'n, 2024 WI App 46 (Wis. Ct. App. 2024). “The Substantial Compliance Standard ¶20 Hess argues that WEC erroneously evaluated Melotik’s nomination papers using a standard of substantial compliance with the statutory requirements found in WIS.”
Rise, Inc. v. Wisconsin Elections Comm'n, 2024 WI App 48 (Wis. Ct. App. 2024).
— Wis. Stat. § 8.15(5) — 2 cases
Fine v. Elections Bd. of Wisconsin, 289 N.W.2d 823 (Wis. 1980). “” This is also in substance the present form of sec. 8.15(5), Stats., which governs the form of nominating papers.”
Morgan Hess v. Wisconsin Elections Comm'n, 2024 WI App 46 (Wis. Ct. App. 2024). “The Substantial Compliance Standard ¶20 Hess argues that WEC erroneously evaluated Melotik’s nomination papers using a standard of substantial compliance with the statutory requirements found in WIS.”
— Wis. Stat. § 8.15(6) — 1 case
Blair v. Hebl, 498 F. Supp. 756 (W.D. Wis. 1980). “15, persons wishing to run for state or county office or for the state or national legislature may qualify for the September primary election by circulating nomination papers no sooner than June 1 preceding the election and no later than the second Tuesday of July. For a county…”
— Wis. Stat. § 8.15(6)(e) — 1 case
Blair v. Hebl, 498 F. Supp. 756 (W.D. Wis. 1980). “15, persons wishing to run for state or county office or for the state or national legislature may qualify for the September primary election by circulating nomination papers no sooner than June 1 preceding the election and no later than the second Tuesday of July. For a county…”
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