Wisconsin State Senate elections, 2020

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2020 Wisconsin
Senate Elections
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GeneralNovember 3, 2020
PrimaryAugust 11, 2020
Past Election Results
2018・2016・2014
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2020 Elections
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Elections for the office of Wisconsin State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 11, 2020. The filing deadline was June 1, 2020.

Of the chamber's 33 seats, 16 were up for election in 2020. Heading into the election, Democrats held 13 seats, Republicans held 18 seats, and there were two vacancies. Democrats won six seats and Republicans won 10 seats, resulting in a 21-12 Republican majority.

The Wisconsin State Senate was one of 86 state legislative chambers with elections in 2020. There are 99 chambers throughout the country. In 2018, 87 out of 99 legislative chambers held elections.

Wisconsin's 2020 state legislative elections affected partisan control of redistricting following the 2020 census. In Wisconsin, the state legislature is responsible for drafting both congressional and state legislative district plans. Both are subject to gubernatorial veto.

For detailed campaign finance information for the elections in this chamber, click here.

Election procedure changes in 2020

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.

Wisconsin modified its absentee/mail-in voting procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:

  • Absentee/mail-in voting: Absentee and mail-in ballot applications were sent to most registered voters in the general election.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Party control

See also: Partisan composition of state senates and State government trifectas
Wisconsin State Senate
Party As of November 3, 2020 After November 4, 2020
     Democratic Party 13 12
     Republican Party 18 21
     Vacancy 2 0
Total 33 33

Candidates

General election

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Primary election


The candidate list below is based on candidate filing lists provided by the Wisconsin Elections Commission on June 2, 2020.[1]



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Campaign finance
See also: Wisconsin State Senate elections, 2020/Campaign finance

The section and tables below contain data from financial reports submitted to state agencies. Districts and elections are grouped in sections of 10. To view data for a district, click on the appropriate bar below to expand it. The data is gathered and made available by Transparency USA.

Incumbents who were not re-elected

See also: Annual State Legislative Competitiveness Report: Vol. 10, 2020

Incumbents defeated in the general election

One incumbent lost in the Nov. 3 general election. That incumbent was:

Name Party Office
Patty Schachtner Electiondot.png Democratic Senate District 10

Incumbents defeated in primary elections

No incumbents lost in the Aug. 11 primaries.

Retiring incumbents

There were seven open seats where the incumbent legislator did not file for re-election in 2020.[2] Those incumbents were:

Name Party Office Reason
Tom Tiffany Ends.png Republican Senate District 12 Vacated before term end
Luther Olsen Ends.png Republican Senate District 14 Retired
Mark Miller Electiondot.png Democratic Senate District 16 Retired
Fred Risser Electiondot.png Democratic Senate District 26 Retired
Dave Craig Ends.png Republican Senate District 28 Retired
Dave Hansen Electiondot.png Democratic Senate District 30 Retired
Jennifer Shilling Electiondot.png Democratic Senate District 32 Vacated before term end


The seven seats left open in 2020 represented a increase from 2018, the highest number since 2014. The table below shows the number of open seats in each election held between 2010 and 2020.

Open Seats in Wisconsin State Senate elections: 2010 - 2020
Year Total seats Open seats Seats with incumbents running for re-election
2020 16 7 (44 percent) 9 (56 percent)
2018 17 3 (18 percent) 14 (82 percent)
2016 16 3 (19 percent) 13 (81 percent)
2014 17 7 (41 percent) 10 (59 percent)
2012 16 2 (13 percent) 14 (87 percent)
2010 17 3 (18 percent) 14 (82 percent)

Process to become a candidate

See also: Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Wisconsin

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, Chapter 8

The filing process for both ballot-qualified party candidates and other candidates (e.g., independents, non-recognized party candidates, etc.) is the same. The filing procedure, however, does vary somewhat according to the type of office being sought. Please note that only ballot-qualified party candidates can participate in primaries.[3]

For federal and state candidates

A candidate for federal office must file a declaration of candidacy with the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The declaration of candidacy must state the following:[3][4]

  • that the individual is a candidate for the office named on the form
  • that the individual meets the qualifications for office, or will meet the qualifications by the time he or she assumes office if elected
  • that the individual will otherwise qualify for office if nominated and elected

The declaration of candidacy must be sworn before an individual authorized to administer oaths. The declaration of candidacy must be filed by 5:00 p.m. on June 1 preceding the election (if June 1 falls on non-business day, the form will be due on the next preceding business day).[3][4][5][6]

In addition to the declaration of candidacy, the candidate must submit nomination papers to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The number of signatures required varies according to the office being sought. Requirements are summarized in the table below.[3][5][6]

Nomination paper signature requirements for federal candidates
Office Minimum signatures Maximum signatures
U.S. Senator 2,000 4,000
U.S. Representative 1,000 2,000
State senator 400 800
State representative 200 400
State supreme court justice 2,000 4,000

Nomination papers must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on June 1 preceding the election (if June 1 falls on non-business day, the form will be due on the next preceding business day).[3][5][6]

Write-in candidates

On April 2, 2014, Governor Scott Walker signed into law AB 419, which requires that write-in candidates file campaign finance statements in order to have their votes tallied. Otherwise, there are no specific filing requirements for write-in candidates.[7]

2020 ballot access requirements

The table below details filing requirements for Wisconsin State Senate candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Wisconsin State Senate All candidates 400 N/A 6/1/2020 Source

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

Section 6 of Article 4 of the Wisconsin Constitution states, "No person shall be eligible to the legislature who shall not have resided one year within the state, and be a qualified elector in the district which he may be chosen to represent."

Salaries and per diem

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[8]
SalaryPer diem
$57,408/year$140/day for senators. Dane County senators are allowed half that amount. $155.70/day (with overnight) or $77.85/day (no overnight) for representatives. Dane County representatives receive only $77.85/day.

When sworn in

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Wisconsin legislators assume office the first Monday in January following the election, unless the first Monday of January falls on January 1 or 2. In those cases, legislators assume office on January 3.[9]

Open seats

The table below shows the number of open seats in each election held between 2010 and 2020.

Open Seats in Wisconsin State Senate elections: 2010 - 2020
Year Total seats Open seats Seats with incumbents running for re-election
2020 16 7 (44 percent) 9 (56 percent)
2018 17 3 (18 percent) 14 (82 percent)
2016 16 3 (19 percent) 13 (81 percent)
2014 17 7 (41 percent) 10 (59 percent)
2012 16 2 (13 percent) 14 (87 percent)
2010 17 3 (18 percent) 14 (82 percent)

Wisconsin political history

Trifectas

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government.

Wisconsin Party Control: 1992-2024
Two years of Democratic trifectas  •  Ten years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Governor R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R D D D D D D
Senate D R R R D D R D D D D R R R R D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
House D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R

Presidential politics in Wisconsin

2016 Presidential election results

U.S. presidential election, Wisconsin, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes Electoral votes
     Democratic Hillary Clinton/Tim Kaine 46.5% 1,382,536 0
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDonald Trump/Mike Pence 47.2% 1,405,284 10
     Libertarian Gary Johnson/Bill Weld 3.6% 106,674 0
     Green Jill Stein/Ajamu Baraka 1% 31,072 0
     Constitution Darrell Lane Castle/Scott Bradley 0.4% 12,162 0
     Workers Party Monica Moorehead/Lamont Lilly 0.1% 1,770 0
     American Delta Rocky De La Fuente/Michael Steinberg 0.1% 1,502 0
     - Write-in votes 1.2% 35,150 0
Total Votes 2,976,150 10
Election results via: Wisconsin Elections Commission

Note: The vote totals above are from the recount.

Voter information

How the primary works

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Wisconsin utilizes an open primary system; registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary.[10][11]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Poll times

In Wisconsin, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[12]

Registration requirements

Check your voter registration status here.

To register to vote in Wisconsin, one must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of Wisconsin for at least 28 days prior to the election. A voter must be at least 18 years of age by Election Day.[13]

Prospective voters can register online or by mailing a form to their municipal clerk. If registering by mail, the application must be postmarked no later than 20 days before the election. In-person registration must be completed by 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day. Prospective voters can also register in person at their municipal clerk's office up until the Friday before the election or at their polling place on Election Day. (Same-day voter registration requires proof of residency.)[13]

Automatic registration

Wisconsin does not practice automatic voter registration.[14]

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Wisconsin has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.[14]

Same-day registration

Wisconsin allows same-day voter registration.[14]

Residency requirements

Wisconsin law requires 28 days of residency in a precinct before a person may vote.[13]

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Wisconsin does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, a voter who provides false information "may be subject to fine or imprisonment under State and Federal laws."[15]

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[16] As of November 2024, five states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, and New Hampshire — had passed laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration. However, only two of those states' laws were in effect, in Arizona and New Hampshire. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allowed noncitizens to vote in some local elections as of November 2024. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The site My Vote, run by the Wisconsin Election Commission, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Wisconsin requires voters to present photo identification while voting.[17]

The following list of accepted ID was current as of May 2023. Click here for the Wisconsin Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

  • Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended
  • Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued identification card, with or without a photo
  • Military ID card issued by the U.S. Uniformed Services
  • U.S. passport book or card
  • Identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin (can be expired or unexpired)
  • Photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college, or technical college, containing the date the card was issued and a signature. (If expired, the voter must also provide a separate document proving enrollment).
  • Veteran's photo ID card issued by a government authority
  • Certificate of naturalization issued within the past two years
  • Driver’s license receipt issued by Wisconsin Department of Transportation (valid for 45 days from date issued)
  • Identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin Department of Transportation (valid for 45 days from date issued)
  • Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles ID Petition Process Photo Receipt (valid for 60 days from date issued)

The following voters do not need to provide photo ID:[17]

  • Confidential electors
  • Active military and permanent overseas voters who vote by absentee ballot
  • Indefinitely confined voters who vote by absentee ballot

Voters can obtain a free Wisconsin State ID Card at a Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles office. Voters need the following to apply for an ID:[18]

  • Proof of name and date of birth (birth certificate)
  • Proof of identity (Social Security Card, Medicaid/Medicare Card, etc.)
  • Proof of Wisconsin residency (utility bill, government mail, lease, etc.)
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship (U.S. Birth certificate or citizenship paperwork)
  • Social Security Number

Voters who do not have all or any of the materials listed above can still obtain an ID. Call the voter ID hotline for assistance at (844) 588-1069.[18]

Early voting

Wisconsin permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

As of February 2024, 47 states and the District of Columbia permitted no-excuse early voting.

Absentee voting

All voters are eligible to vote absentee/by mail in Wisconsin. There are no special eligibility requirements for voting absentee/by mail.[19][20]

To vote absentee by mail, a request to the municipal clerk must be received by 5 p.m. on the Thursday before Election Day. Once completed, returned ballots must be received no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.[19][21]


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Candidate Tracking by Office 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020," accessed June 2, 2020
  2. ↑ Ballotpedia defines an incumbent as retiring if the incumbent did not file for office or filed for office but withdrew, was disqualified, or otherwise left a race in a manner other than losing the primary, primary runoff, or convention. If an incumbent runs as a write-in candidate, Ballotpedia does not consider them to be retiring. If an incumbent runs in the same chamber for a different seat, Ballotpedia does not consider them to be retiring.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Government Accountability Board, "Ballot Access Manual (2020)," accessed May 30, 2023
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, "Chapter 8, Section 21," accessed May 30, 2023
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, "Chapter 8, Section 20," accessed May 30, 2023
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, "Chapter 8, Section 15," accessed May 30, 2023
  7. ↑ Ballot Access News, "Wisconsin Will No Longer Count Write-in Votes Unless Write-in Candidate Files Paperwork," May 17, 2014
  8. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
  9. ↑ Wisconsin Statutes, "Chapter 13: Legislative Branch: 13.02 Regular sessions," accessed October 5, 2021
  10. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed October 4, 2024
  11. ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wis. State § 5.62 Partisan primary ballots," accessed October 4, 2024
  12. ↑ Wisconsin Election Commission, “Election Day Voting,” accessed May 4, 2023
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Voter Registration and Proof of Residence," accessed May 4, 2023
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 NCSL, "State Profiles: Elections," accessed August 20, 2024
  15. ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Wisconsin Voter Registration Application," accessed November 2, 2024
  16. ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Photo ID," accessed May 4, 2023 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "wvid" defined multiple times with different content
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Wisconsin Department of Transportation, "Wisconsin ID card for voting purposes - petition process," accessed May 4, 2023
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Wisconsin Election Commission, "What is in-person absentee voting and how can I do it?" accessed May 4, 2023
  20. ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Vote Absentee Guide," accessed May 4, 2023
  21. ↑ Wisconsin Election Commission, "FAQ search results: absentee," accessed May 4, 2023


Current members of the Wisconsin State Senate
Leadership
Senate President:Chris Kapenga
Majority Leader:Devin LeMahieu
Minority Leader:Dianne Hesselbein
Senators
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
Vacant
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
Dan Feyen (R)
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
Republican Party (22)
Democratic Party (10)
Vacancies (1)


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