Wisconsin 2023 spring primary election: How to register, where to vote and who's on the ballot

Ridah Syed, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·5 min read
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The 2023 Wisconsin spring primary election is Feb. 21, with the general election April 4. The elections will determine a new justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court as well as other local, nonpartisan offices. Here's what you need to know to cast your ballot.

What's on the Wisconsin 2023 spring primary election ballot?

The 2023 Wisconsin spring primary will determine the final races for the spring general election on April 4. On the statewide ballot is the nonpartisan seat for Wisconsin Supreme Court and two nonpartisan seats for Wisconsin appellate courts.

Depending on where you live, there are local municipal and judicial races, such as school board elections, city councils, village boards, town boards and county circuit court judges.

Nearly all of the races in the spring election are nonpartisan. For single-seat races, the top two candidates in the primary election advance to the general election. For races where there are multiple seats open, the number of candidates who advance from the primary to the general election is two times the number of open seats. For example, if there are three seats open in a school board race, the top six candidates in the primary will advance.

When is the Wisconsin spring primary election and how late are polls open?

The 2023 Wisconsin spring primary will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Election day voting goes from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What is the race that's on ballots statewide in 2023?

What referendums are on the ballot?

Are there any special elections for districts this spring?

What Milwaukee-area races are there this spring?

How do I find my polling place?

You can find your polling location by visiting myvote.wi.gov. Enter your address to identify the closest polling place near you as well as a sample ballot with candidates for your district.

What you need to bring with you on election day

Having the proper documentation will allow you to cast your vote seamlessly on election day. You'll need to bring one of the following items to the polls:

  • Voter ID (a Wisconsin driver's license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended)

  • Wisconsin Identification Card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (available for free)

  • A military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service

  • A U.S. passport, an identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin (can be used even if expired, regardless of expiration date).

How to register to vote, including deadline to register online

In Wisconsin, voters can register in person, online or by mail. The deadline to register to vote online or by mail was Feb. 1. Mailed registrations must have been postmarked to a county clerk by this date. Registration could also be done in person at a municipal clerk's office by Feb. 17. In-person registration will be available at your polling place on the day of the primary. All voters must include proof of residency with their registration. Any of the following documents will be accepted:

  • Utility bill (gas, electric, phone) issued within the last 90 days

  • Bank, credit union, credit card or mortgage statement

  • Current and valid Wisconsin driver's license or Wisconsin Identification Card

  • Paycheck

  • A government-issued document or letter (federal, state, county, municipal, tribal, state college or public school).

  • Check issued by a unit of government.

  • Real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the previous year.

  • Residential lease effective on the day of registration.

  • Contract or intake document issued when admitted to a nursing home or care facility.

  • College fee statement issued in the last nine months, accompanied by student ID card.

  • Affidavit from a public or private social service agency, on letterhead, identifying an individual who is homeless and indicating where that individual resides.

  • Official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit

  • Identification card issued by an employer in the normal course of business, which has a photograph of the cardholder (not a business card).

  • Fishing and hunting licenses

  • Vehicle registrations

  • State Social Service Programs

Who is running for Wisconsin Supreme Court?

The candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court judge officially run as nonpartisan, but candidates typically identify as conservatives or liberals. The two candidates who receive the most votes in the spring primary will advance to the spring general election on April 4.

  • Jennifer Dorow, conservative

  • Dan Kelly, conservative

  • Everett Mitchell, liberal

  • Janet Protasiewicz, liberal

Who is running for Milwaukee Common Council?

District 1

  • Zandra Bailey

  • Marshall Martin

  • Vincent G. Toney

  • David Bowen

  • Andrea Pratt

District 5

  • Joe Fisch

  • Bruce Winter

  • P. Thomas Thadison III

  • Annette Jackson

  • Lamont Westmoreland

  • Ray Banks

  • Jeff Spence

District 9

  • Odell Ball

  • Walt Love

  • Donna Ross

  • Jasmine Tyler

  • Larresa Taylor

  • Cherie Ray

  • Amber Danyus

  • Russell Antonio Goodwin Sr.

Who is running for District 8 in the Wisconsin Senate?

A special election will be held to fill the District 8 Wisconsin State Senate seat left by Sen. Alberta Darling. The primary election on Feb. 21 will determine which two Republican candidates will advance to the general spring election on April 4. The lone Democratic candidate, Jodi Habush Sinykin, will not face a primary.

  • Janel Brandtjen (Republican)

  • Dan Knodl (Republican)

  • Van Mobley (Republican)

More:Republican drops out of key Senate race in effort to block election denier Brandtjen

Who is running for Elmbrook School Board?

  • David Irwin

  • Sean A. Firmiss

  • Sam Hughes

Who is running for Port Washington-Saukville School Board?

  • Kierstin Cira

  • Douglas Rogahn

  • Richard Sternhagen

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin 2023 spring primary election: How to vote, who's on ballot