Run for Office
Conservatives are stepping up to take back local government across Wisconsin.
Are you ready to join them?
Today’s conservative leaders are enhancing America’s tomorrow. Change must begin at the local level.
Let us help find the position that’s right for you *click here*.
First Step - Evaluate Your Readiness
The Job
What level of government interests you? What is the scope of authority and role of the office, what you can and cannot do within that role?
The Time Commitment
A commitment to serve as a local official requires:
- Attending meetings
- Committee work
- Time for research to become familiar with topics that are presented or discussed
- Accessible to members of the public
Experience and Minimum Qualifications
Consider what experience you’d bring to the office and where you’d be a good fit. Make sure you meet the minimum qualifications to hold the office in order to be elected.
In general, Wisconsin’s minimum qualifications to hold office are:
- Must be a United States citizen.
- Must be at least 18 years of age (or older for different offices).
- Must meet residency requirements for a specific office. (Residency requirements vary for different offices.)
- May not have a felony conviction in any court in the United States. (Unless pardoned of the conviction.)
If you meet these basic qualifications, you qualify to run for local office. We are here to help every step of the way.
Which Office Can You Run For?
With some restrictions, you can run for any office in the district in which you reside.
The easiest way to find your districts:
- Go to MyVote.Gov.
- Enter your info in the My Voter Info field and click search.
- Click View My Current Elected Officials near the bottom.
This lists all the districts in which you reside, and thus all the offices that you are legally able to run for. We recommend that you seek guidance on which office may be best for you. Lower office is a good start. It’s where voters get to know you, your votes, and your performance while in office.
Second Step - Prepare With Our Support
We help ensure that solid conservative candidates have the tools to succeed in their campaigns. Once you reach out, someone will get back to you to set up a meeting and help you determine what fit may be best for you.
In time, you will learn the ins and outs of running for office. For example, we provide candidates:
- Voter data
- Training
- Referrals
- Mentorship
- A campaign packet with crucial organizational resources.
Third Step - Register as a Candidate
In order to get on the ballot, there’s a few steps you need to take. This includes turning in paperwork to your filing clerk, which you will receive in the candidate packet.There are different variations for each form depending on what office you are seeking. In general, the following documents are required in one format or another:
- Declaration of Candidacy
- Campaign Registration Statement
- Nomination Papers (Unless elected by caucus)
- Statement of Economic Interests (non-local office in addition municipal judicial offices)
Municipal Election by Caucus
Caucus Election Method for Municipalities:
Some municipalities do not use nomination papers for elections and may opt for the caucus method instead. This method is commonly used by towns and villages to nominate candidates for their Spring Election ballot.
Caucus Meeting Details:
- Open to the Public: The caucus meeting is open to everyone, but only qualified electors of the municipality can nominate and vote for candidates.
- Participation Requirements: You do not need to be a registered voter to participate in the caucus. However, you must be a resident and present at the meeting to vote or nominate candidates.
- Timing: Caucuses are held in January during a regularly scheduled Board meeting of the municipality and typically last about 15 minutes.
How to Participate:
- Find Your Caucus Date: Contact your municipality’s clerk to find out when the caucus will be held.
- Attend the Meeting: Ensure you are present at the meeting to participate in nominations and voting.
Considerations:
- If a candidate’s municipality uses the caucus method and they are not nominated in January, they cannot appear on the ballot.
- While write-in candidates are an option, winning as a write-in is extremely difficult.
Caucus Procedure:
- A nomination is made and must be seconded to move the name forward.
- Another nomination can be made.
- If only one nomination is made and seconded, that person will be the sole name on the ballot.
- If two nominations are made and seconded, both names will be on the ballot.
- If there are more than two nominees, a mini-primary election is held to select the top two candidates for the final ballot.
The current list of municipalities in St. Croix County that have caucus’ are:
Candidates should visit the Campaign Finance page on the Wisconsin Ethics Commission website, and Wisconsin Elections Commission, for information, and to find the correct forms you will need. Statewide Offices will need to turn in a Statement of Economic Interests.