Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB1067

Introduced
2/2/24  
Refer
2/2/24  

Caption

The filing of nomination papers by certain candidates for local elective office. (FE)

Impact

The implications of AB1067 on state law will be significant. Currently, some towns and villages have the flexibility to determine their nomination processes, allowing for caucus nominations. With this bill, all local governments will have to conform to a mandatory nomination paper system. This uniformity could lead to increased participation in elections as the process becomes clearer and more accessible to potential candidates. However, the bill will also amend various statutes, impacting how local offices are filled and potentially limiting the traditional caucus method that some communities prefer.

Summary

Assembly Bill 1067 (AB1067) proposes changes to the way candidates for local elective offices, including town, village, and school board positions, are nominated. The bill aims to eliminate the existing option for nominating candidates through a caucus and instead mandates the filing of nomination papers for all candidates. This shift is expected to create a more standardized process across towns and villages, potentially enhancing accountability and transparency in local elections. Candidates for school boards will also be required to file nomination papers, which was previously optional for certain school districts.

Contention

While proponents argue that the bill will streamline the election process and enhance voter engagement, there are concerns from various community leaders that this could disenfranchise candidates who prefer or rely on caucuses for nomination. Critics of the bill fear that it may lead to reduced local governance flexibility and could disadvantage candidates from smaller communities who may struggle with the logistical demands of gathering the necessary nomination signatures. The discussions around AB1067 are likely to raise questions about the balance between standardization and local autonomy in electoral processes.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

WI AB1214

The first date on which nomination papers may be circulated for the spring election.

WI HB363

Relative to deadlines for candidates filing by nomination papers for state general elections.

WI SB1153

Write-in candidates; nomination paper filing

WI HB36

In district election officers, further providing for election officers to be sworn; in dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for petition may consist of several sheets and statement of circulator, for affidavits of candidates, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers, for vacancy in party nomination by failure to pay filing fee or for failure to file loyalty oath, for affidavits of candidates, for filling of certain vacancies in public office by means of nomination certificates and nomination papers and for substituted nominations to fill certain vacancies for a November election; in ballots, further providing for form of ballots and printing ballots; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of computing irregular ballots; and replacing references to "justice of the peace" with "magisterial district judge."

WI HB978

In district election officers, further providing for election officers to be sworn; in dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for petition may consist of several sheets and statement of circulator, for affidavits of candidates, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers, for vacancy in party nomination by failure to pay filing fee or for failure to file loyalty oath, for affidavits of candidates, for filling of certain vacancies in public office by means of nomination certificates and nomination papers and for substituted nominations to fill certain vacancies for a November election; in ballots, further providing for form of ballots and printing ballots; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of computing irregular ballots; and replacing references to "justice of the peace" with "magisterial district judge."

WI SB287

In district election officers, further providing for election officers to be sworn; in dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for petition may consist of several sheets and statement of circulator, for affidavits of candidates, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers, for vacancy in party nomination by failure to pay filing fee or for failure to file loyalty oath, for affidavits of candidates, for filling of certain vacancies in public office by means of nomination certificates and nomination papers and for substituted nominations to fill certain vacancies for a November election; in ballots, further providing for form of ballots and printing ballots; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of computing irregular ballots; and replacing references to "justice of the peace" with "magisterial district judge."

WI HB2090

In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for special elections for United States Senator and nominations and for nominations for special election for Representative in Congress, Senator and Representative in the General Assembly and member of council or legislative body of cities, boroughs, towns and townships; and, in nominations of candidates, further providing for number of signers required for nomination petitions of candidates at primaries, for nominations by minor political parties, for place and time of filing nomination petitions and filing fees and for nominations by political bodies, repealing provisions relating to filing fee and further providing for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers and for vacancy in party nomination by failure to pay filing fee or for failure to file loyalty oath.

WI HB1196

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; and, in nomination of candidates, further providing for affidavits of candidates, for nominations by political bodies, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers and for affidavits of candidates.

WI HB1278

In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for affidavits of candidates, for statement of candidates for delegates to national conventions, for Secretary of the Commonwealth to furnish county boards with list of candidates and candidates to be notified, for nominations by political bodies, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers and for affidavits of candidates; and, in penalties, further providing for false affidavits of candidates and for false signatures and statements in nomination petitions and papers.

WI SB822

Local candidates filing campaign finance reports and making an appropriation. (FE)

Similar Bills

OH HB196

Regards candidate nomination protests, names on candidacy forms

UT SB0290

Candidate Licensing Amendments

OH HB471

Regards protests against primary election candidates

LA HB168

Provides relative to a district attorney's responsibility in an action objecting to the candidacy of a person who qualified as a candidate in a primary election

NV AB95

Makes various changes relating to public office. (BDR 24-445)

CT SB01047

An Act Concerning Ballot Access For Petitioning Candidates.

LA HB443

Requires the secretary of state to compare the names of candidates with certain criminal history records and to inform the district attorney of his findings under certain circumstances

CA SB25

Declaration of candidacy: notary.