Wisconsin primary election guide for Aug. 13: Referendum questions, candidates, drop boxes, early voting
The next statewide election is Aug. 13, when Wisconsin voters will weigh in on two referendum questions and narrow down candidates for the U.S. Congress, the state Legislature and some county races.
Early voting may start in some communities as early as Tuesday.
The election is the second-to-last in Wisconsin in 2024. The candidates who advance from this election will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot, which will also include the presidential contest.
Here's what to know about who's on the Aug. 13 ballot, what the referendum questions mean, how to return your absentee ballot, when you can vote early and more:
What's on the ballot in Wisconsin primary election Aug. 13?
The race for U.S. Senate is the only race that will appear on all ballots in Wisconsin. The rest of the races for the state Legislature, the U.S. House of Representatives and county offices depend on where you live.
The boundaries of some state legislative districts changed after redistricting earlier this year, meaning you might see new names on your ballot. Some lawmakers retired or moved into new districts. All state Assembly seats and half of state Senate seats are up for election this year.
Here's a list of the candidates running for state Legislature in the Milwaukee area. The district lines within the City of Milwaukee didn't change much, but there were more changes in the suburbs.
Interactive: See Wisconsin's new state legislative maps
More: Here are 10 races to watch in Wisconsin's newly competitive legislative maps
There are also congressional races on the ballot, including the Senate race, where Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin is up for reelection. The other races for Congress depend on which of the eight U.S. House districts you live in, which did not change during redistricting.
In most counties, there are four county elected offices on the ballot, too — district attorney, clerk, treasurer and register of deeds.
You can preview your ballot at myvote.wi.gov.
Who's running for Congress in Wisconsin?
Here's a full list of the congressional races in the Aug. 13 primary election. You can enter your zip code into this map to see what House district you live in. A (D) denotes a Democrat and an (R) denotes a Republican. An (i) denotes an incumbent.
U.S. Senate
Tammy Baldwin (D, i)
Eric Hovde (R)
Charles E. Barman (R)
Rejani Raveendran (R)
More: Who is Eric Hovde? What to know about Republican candidate challenging Tammy Baldwin
1st Congressional District (southeastern Wisconsin)
Peter Barca (D)
Bryan Steil (R, i)
Chester Todd Jr. (Green)
More: Who is Peter Barca? What to know about Democratic candidate challenging Bryan Steil.
2nd Congressional District (Madison area)
Mark Pocan (D, i)
Erik Olsen (R)
Charity Barry (R)
3rd Congressional District (western Wisconsin)
Rebecca Cooke (D)
Katrina Shankland (D)
Eric Wilson (D)
Derrick Van Orden (R, i)
More: Democratic field narrows in bid to oust Trump-aligned Rep. Derrick Van Orden in 3rd District
4th Congressional District (Milwaukee area)
Gwen S. Moore (D, i)
Purnima Nath (R)
Tim Rogers (R)
5th Congressional District (suburbs west of Milwaukee)
Ben Steinhoff (D)
Scott Fitzgerald (R, i)
6th Congressional District (central Wisconsin)
John Zarbano (D)
Glenn Grothman (R, i)
7th Congressional District (northern Wisconsin)
Kyle Kilbourn (D)
Elsa Rae Duranceau (D)
Tom Tiffany (R, i)
8th Congressional District (northeastern Wisconsin)
Kristin Lyerly (D)
Tony Wied (R)
André Jacque (R)
Roger Roth (R)
More: Primary to fill Mike Gallagher's seat pits a Trump-backed candidate against familiar names
What do the August referendum questions mean in Wisconsin?
There are two referendum questions on the Aug. 13 ballot that all voters will see. The questions are written as follows:
QUESTION 1: “Delegation of appropriation power. Shall section 35 (1) of article IV of the constitution be created to provide that the legislature may not delegate its sole power to determine how moneys shall be appropriated?”
QUESTION 2: “Allocation of federal moneys. Shall section 35 (2) of article IV of the constitution be created to prohibit the governor from allocating any federal moneys the governor accepts on behalf of the state without the approval of the legislature by joint resolution or as provided by legislative rule?”
The questions stem from debates between Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and the Republican-led state Legislature over distributing federal pandemic relief funds. If the referendums pass, they would require the governor to get legislative approval to spend federal money.
Republicans and conservative groups support voting "yes" on the two questions because they see the amendments as an important check on the governor's power. Democrats and liberal groups support voting "no" because they believe the Legislature would slow down how the state government responds to emergencies.
More: What to know about constitutional amendment questions going to Wisconsin voters in August
Where can I vote early in Wisconsin?
Local governments are allowed to offer in-person absentee voting, also known as early voting, two weeks before the election through the Sunday before the election.
The location, dates and times for early voting vary by community. You can find that information at myvote.wi.gov or by contacting your local clerk.
When does early voting start in Milwaukee?
Early voting starts Tuesday in Milwaukee. Here are the locations, dates and times:
Capitol Drive Voting Center (6001 W. Capitol Dr.)
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, July 30 through Aug 9
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 3 and 10
Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4
Zeidler Municipal Building (841 N. Broadway Ave.)
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, July 30 through Aug 9
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 3 and 10
Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4
Zablocki Library (3501 W. Oklahoma Ave.)
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, July 30 through Aug 9
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 3 and 10
Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4
Good Hope Library (7715 W. Good Hope Rd., opens July 31)
1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, July 30 and Aug. 6, and Monday, Aug. 5
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, July 31 through Aug. 2 and Aug. 7 through 10
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 3 and 10
Tippecanoe Library (3912 S. Howell Ave.)
1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, July 30 and Aug. 6, and Monday, Aug. 5
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, July 31 through Aug. 2 and Aug. 7 through 10
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 3 and 10
Washington Park Library (2121 N. Sherman Blvd.)
1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, July 30 and Aug. 6, and Monday, Aug. 5
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, July 31 through Aug. 2 and Aug. 7 through 10
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 3 and 10
How do I request an absentee ballot in Wisconsin?
You can request an absentee ballot online at myvote.wi.gov. You can also make a request for an absentee ballot to your clerk's office by email, in writing or in-person. Information on those options for Milwaukee voters is available here.
If you're requesting an absentee ballot online or via mail, the deadline is 5 p.m. Aug. 8 for regular and permanent overseas voters. The deadline is longer for indefinitely confined, military and hospitalized voters.
Once you make a request, your local clerk must mail your absentee ballot within one day.
You can view a full list of absentee ballot deadlines here.
How do I return my absentee ballot in Wisconsin?
If you're mailing back your absentee ballot, the U.S. Postal Service recommends doing so at least seven days before the election.
You can check with your clerk on other options for returning your absentee ballot, such as at your clerk's office, at an early voting site or at your polling place or central count location on Election Day.
Another way to return absentee ballots may be available again in some communities. The state Supreme Court recently reinstated the use of absentee ballot drop boxes, and some are on track to reopen for the Aug. 13 election. You can contact your local clerk to see if drop boxes will be available.
More: What to know about how Milwaukee will reopen absentee ballot drop boxes after court ruling
What do I need to bring to vote in Wisconsin?
To vote in Wisconsin, you need to bring a current photo ID that has your name on it. The Wisconsin Elections Commission's website has a list of accepted forms of identification.
You also can register to vote at your polling place, or re-register if you've changed addresses since the last time you voted or if you haven't voted in the last four years. In that case, you'll need to bring a document that shows proof of residence.
A driver's license or ID card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles counts as proof as residence, if it shows your current address. Or, you can bring documents like a lease, utility bill or bank statement that has your new address.
When are polls open in Wisconsin?
Polls are open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. As long as you're in line by 8 p.m., you'll be allowed to vote.
You can find your polling place by typing in your address at myvote.wi.gov.
When is the next election in Wisconsin?
After the August partisan primary, the next election in Wisconsin is Nov. 5. That will be the final election of 2024 in Wisconsin, unless a special election is called due to a vacancy.
On Nov. 5, voters will choose from the candidates who advanced from the Aug. 13 ballot for legislative, congressional and local offices. The presidential race is also on that ballot — the presidential primary was held in April in Wisconsin.
More: The deadline has not passed in Wisconsin to replace Biden on the ballot. Here’s why.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin election; Aug. 13 primary 2024; referendums, early voting
