By Kim McDarison
Friday, Dec. 1, marks the first day hopefuls running for seats in the 2024 spring election may begin circulating nomination papers, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission website.
Additional deadlines include Friday, Dec. 22, the day on which municipal clerks across the state must provide to the state’s election administration with public notice of all notifications of non-candidacy. The form must be filed with the appropriate municipal clerk by incumbents who do not intend to seek reelection in the spring.
As stated on the commission’s website, on Friday, Dec. 22, “Clerks to provide public notice of all Notification of Noncandidacy (EL-163) information received from incumbents. Wis. Stats. §8.05(1)(j)2m, 8.10(2)(am), 8.15(1m), 8.20(8)(ae) – Clerk shall promptly provide public notice by posting to internet site or posting notice in three places if no internet site is maintained.”
Information regarding the filing of notifications of non-candidacy forms as provided by the Wisconsin Election Commission is here: https://elections.wi.gov/event/clerks-provide-public-notice-all-notifications-noncandidacy.
Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, marks the last day in which candidates seeking an office which will be decided in April may file nomination papers with the appropriate municipal clerk.
Would a primary election become necessary in advance of the spring general election, it will be held Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024.
The Spring General Election will be held Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
A full calendar of events, including important filing and voting deadlines from November 2023 through January, 2025, as provided by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, is here: https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Wisconsin%20Elections%20Commission%202024%20Calendar%20of%20Election%20Events%20%28Rvsd%20Nov9.2023%29.pdf.
Fort Atkinson City Council seats
Information found on the city of Fort Atkinson’s website notes that three city council seats will come due for re-election in April. Incumbents holding the seats include Bruce Johnson, Eric Schultz, and Davin Lescohier.
The Fort Atkinson City Council operates as a five-member body, with each member serving at large.
While city council members are elected to two-year terms, voters this election cycle will find a seat offering a one-year term. The one-year term is the result of a former council member, Megan Hartwick, stepping down after voters elected her to an additional term last April. Immediately after she was elected, Hartwick relinquished her seat, and the remaining council members appointed Lescohier to serve in her stead until the next April election, when voters would again have an opportunity to decide on a candidate.
Earlier stories about the circumstances surrounding Hartwick’s decision to withdraw from the race, which was made public in February, her election in April, her decision to resign immediately following the April election, and Lescohier’s appointment by members of the city council, are here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/becker-jaeckel-hartwick-win-city-council-seats-hartwick-stated-in-february-plans-to-resign/, here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/hartwick-thanks-voters-reaffirms-february-withdrawal-from-april-4-race/, and here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/hartwick-resigns-council-approves-appointment-process-to-fill-first-year-of-two-year-term/.
Those interested in running for one of the three seats are encouraged to visit the Fort Atkinson Municipal Building, 101 N. Main St., Fort Atkinson, to collect appropriate papers to run in April, and have any additional questions answered by City Clerk Michelle Ebbert. She also may be reached by phone: 920-397-9901 or by email: mebbert@fortatkinsonwi.gov.
Candidates also may visit the Wisconsin Elections Commission website: https://elections.wi.gov/.
Those interested in running for one of the three open council seats must file a Declaration of Candidacy Form (EL-162) and a Nomination Papers for Nonpartisan Office form (EL-169) with the Fort Atkinson city clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday Jan. 2, 2024. Filing by the deadline ensures that the candidate’s name will be placed on the general election printed ballot.
Candidates must also complete and submit a Registration Statement Form (CF-1) prior to raising or spending any funds. The deadline for the submittal of the form is Jan. 2.
For new candidates, the registration statement must be filed before collection or spending of funds and before submitting nomination papers.
Fort Atkinson is designated by the state of Wisconsin as a Third Class city. Candidates running for at-large aldermanic seats in Third Class cities, a designation given according to population, must collect between 100 and 200 signatures from eligible voters within the city on nomination papers.
An explanation of the state’s designation by class for cities is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_divisions_of_Wisconsin#:~:text=Cities%20in%20Wisconsin%20are%20divided%20into%20four%20classes%3A,Fourth%20class%3A%20Cities%20with%209%2C999%20or%20fewer%20residents.
Candidates may not begin collecting signatures on nomination papers before Dec. 1, 2023.
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