2012 Regular Elections

Although the recall elections have accelerated the process and drawn the attention of election-watchers away from the general elections, the biennial fight for control of the Wisconsin legislature has quietly begun along with Congressional elections and the race for the White House.

This year, Wisconsin has moved its partisan primary election date up one month to August 14 to give military and overseas voters more time to cast their ballots. That change affected the time period for circulating nomination papers.

The deadline for candidates to file their nomination papers and declarations of candidacy is 5 p.m. Friday, June 1. By 4:30 p.m. Monday, June 4, all candidates for state office also must file a Statement of Economic Interests with the Government Accountability Board.

June 1 – Deadline: nomination papers for fall partisan elections
Aug. 14 – Fall primaries
Nov. 6 – General elections

16 Senate seats, the even numbered districts, will be filled this fall. The 29th Senate District will also have a new senator during the next legislative session as Sen. Pam Galloway resigned at the end of the 2011-12 session, however that seat will be filled during the recall elections.

The 12th district is being closely watched since incumbent Sen. Jim Holperin announced he would not seek reelection. In addition, a number of other districts will be closes races because redistricting has changed the boundaries of the district.

All 99 Assembly seats will be up for grabs in November. It is shaping up to be a particularly interesting election season thanks to the number of legislators not running for re-election. The following legislators have announced their retirement:

• Rep. Anthony Staskunas of the 15th Assembly District
• Rep. Barbara Toles of the 17th Assembly District
• Rep. Tamara Grigsby of the 18th Assembly District
• Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer of the 25th Assembly District
• Rep. Dan Meyer of the 34th Assembly District
• Rep. Andy Jorgensen of the 37th Assembly District
• Rep. Dick Spanbauer of the 53rd Assembly District
• Rep. Michelle Litjens of the 56th Assembly District
• Rep. Robert Turner of the 61st Assembly District
• Rep. Louis Molepske, Jr. of the 71st Assembly District
• Rep. Karl Van Roy of the 90th Assembly District
• Rep. Mark Radcliffe of the 92nd Assembly District

Legislative Redistricting: Wisconsin State Legislature
Redistricting in Wisconsin: Government Accountability Board.

Voter Photo ID Law Information: Government Accountability Board.
Information on Wisconsin ID cards: Wisconsin Department of Transportation.