It’s election season in Wisconsin again.
At the top of the ticket is the governor’s race to replace retiring Gov. Tony Evers. Five Democrats are still competing in the August primary and will almost certainly face Republican Tom Tiffany in November.
But there are other crucial races in Wisconsin this fall, including a toss-up congressional race with implications for control of the U.S. House. Democrats are eyeing to flip control of one or both chambers of the state Legislature, where Republicans have held the majority since 2011.
Not all races on the ballot have a primary – such as attorney general – but many have more than one candidate vying to represent their party on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Here’s what to know about the upcoming elections, which races are on the ballot, voting information and more:
When is the Wisconsin governor election?
There are two important dates: The Aug. 11 primary and the Nov. 3 general election. Both are Tuesdays. Other races, like Congress and state Legislature, are also on the ballot.
Aug. 11 is when voters will select who advances to the general election. Republican Tom Tiffany faces a primary challenger but is likely to advance; there are five Democrats competing for the nomination.
Nov. 3 is when voters will select between the Democrat and Republican who advanced from the primary. After this election, Wisconsin will know its next governor.
Who are the candidates for Wisconsin governor?
The candidates still in the race include:
Important note: Democrats Sara Rodriguez and Missy Hughes have dropped out of the race. The list of candidates was finalized before they dropped out, so their names still appear on the Aug. 11 ballot.
The Democratic candidates are set to square off in one televised debate July 28, hosted by WISN-TV.
What’s on the ballot this fall in Wisconsin?
Beyond the governor’s race, elections for Congress, state Legislature and other partisan offices appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. Depending on the number of candidates running in each race, there may be a primary Aug. 11.
You can see a preview of your ballot, including any local school funding or public safety referendums, by entering your address at myvote.wi.gov.
State offices
These constitutional offices have primaries in August, with the exception of the attorney general race.
Congress
Closely watched primaries include a large Republican field to replace Tiffany in northern Wisconsin and two Democrats looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden in western Wisconsin’s toss-up district. Watch for additional candidate guides posted by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in the coming days.
State Legislature
Depending on where you live, races for state Legislature may also have primaries Aug. 11. Here’s a full list of the contested races.
How do partisan primaries work in Wisconsin?
When you fill out the Aug. 11 ballot, you must choose a party section to vote in and only fill in bubbles within that section.
If you don’t choose a party at the start of the ballot and make selections in more than one party, no votes will be counted. You can see a preview of those special instructions here.
So, a voter can’t select Tom Tiffany as a Republican for governor and cross over to choose one of the Democratic candidates for state treasurer, for example.
How do I register to vote in Wisconsin?
Check if your voter registration is up-to-date at myvote.wi.gov. You’ll have to re-register to vote if you’ve changed your name or moved addresses since the last election you voted in.
You can register to vote online for the Aug. 11 election through July 22. You can also register at your clerk’s office or an early voting site until 5 p.m. Aug. 7.
Don’t fret if you miss those deadlines. Wisconsin has same-day registration, so you can register at your polling place Aug. 11. Make sure to bring a proof of residence document that shows your current address, like a lease, utility bill or bank statement.
When does early voting start in Wisconsin governor’s race?
Early voting allows voters to cast a ballot in-person ahead of Election Day. The early voting window is July 28 through Aug. 9.
Each city, town or village sets its own hours and locations, so check your local clerk’s website or contact them for early voting instructions.
Voters can only use early voting sites for the city, town or village they live in. Voters who live within the City of Milwaukee limits can visit one of six locations, for example.
How do I vote absentee in Wisconsin?
If you want to vote absentee by mail, most voters have until Aug. 6 to request an absentee ballot. You make the request online at myvote.wi.gov and get updates about the status of your ballot.
If you’re mailing back your absentee ballot, make sure to do so at least 10 days in advance, or Aug. 1. Election officials warned of mail delays in the last election. Clerks must receive your ballot by 8 p.m. Aug. 11 for your votes to count.
You can also return your absentee ballot by bringing it to your clerk’s office, an early voting location, your polling place or, if your community has one, a central count location on Election Day – or an absentee ballot drop box, if your local clerk offers them.
Some communities have different preferences for how voters return absentee ballots, so it’s a good idea to check your clerk’s website or call for more information.
What photo IDs are acceptable in Wisconsin?
Whether you’re voting at the polls, making an absentee ballot request or using an early voting site, make sure to have a photo ID ready.
Acceptable photo IDs include:
You may have heard about the SAVE Act, a bill pending in Congress that would require proof of citizenship to vote. It hasn’t become law, so Wisconsin voters don’t need to bring a separate document to the polls that indicates their citizenship status, such as a birth certificate.
This story was updated to update the list of candidates for governor.
Hope Karnopp can be reached at HKarnopp@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Your full voter guide to the Wisconsin governor primary election
Reporting by Hope Karnopp, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Hope Karnopp, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
