By Kim McDarison
Today marks the first day candidates interested in running for seats that will be decided during the Spring General Election may begin circulating nomination papers.
Offices with seats for election appearing on the Wisconsin General Spring Election ballot include the State Supreme Court, intermediate appellate courts and those within municipal government and local school boards.
Information released by Fort Atkinson city and school board officials thus far regarding the upcoming election is as follows:
Fort Atkinson City Council seats
According to information released by Fort Atkinson City Clerk Michelle Ebbert, In the city of Fort Atkinson, incumbents Mason Becker, Megan Hartwick and Chris Scherer hold seats that will come due for reelection this spring.
Each of the three candidates were last elected to office in 2021.
The Fort Atkinson City Council is a five-member board, with candidates each serving at large and two-year terms.
The Spring General Election will be held Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
As of Thursday, no incumbents had filed papers of non-candidacy and no challengers have come forward.
A deadline for incumbents to file notification of non-candidacy is Friday, Dec. 23, at 5 p.m.
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. 3, 2023. Filing by the deadline ensures that the candidates’ 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. 3.
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, 2022.
A primary election is required if more than six candidates come forward to run for the three at-large seats. If a primary election becomes necessary, it will be held on Feb. 21, 2023.
For further information about running for a city council seat, and obtaining and submitting required papers, contact Ebbert.
The Fort Atkinson Municipal Building is located at 101 N. Main Street.
Contact information and hours of operation for the city clerk’s office can be found here: http://www.fortatkinsonwi.net/departments/clerk_treasurer/index.php.
Information provided by the Wisconsin Elections Commission for candidates is here: https://elections.wi.gov/candidates.
School District of Fort Atkinson Board of Education seats
According to information released by Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and School Board Lisa Haas, School District of Fort Atkinson Board of Education incumbents Amy Reynolds and Kory Knickrehm hold seats that will be decided in April.
Candidates serve at large and are elected to a three-year term. The district is governed by a five-member board.
As of Thursday, no incumbents had filed papers of non-candidacy and no challengers have come forward.
A deadline for incumbents to file papers of non-candidacy is Friday, Dec. 23, at 5 p.m.
Candidates for two open school board seats on the School District of Fort Atkinson Board of Education may file ballot access documents beginning, today, Dec. 1. The last day to file ballot access documents is Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the school district office.
Those interested in running for the two open seats are required to fill out a Declaration of Candidacy School Board Candidates form (EL-162sd), a copy, which can be filled out online, is available on the district’s website at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/130HFnBredu8aK0_5Fo4yO2785RSnhwrw/view.
A Campaign Finance Registration Statement form (CF-1), which can be printed from the district’s website: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-UZE-pNJWlDBbJ7GVAzyVgN728gqx_FJ/view, also must be filled out and submitted.
Both forms must be completed and returned to Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and School Board Lisa Haas by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.
Collection of signatures and nomination papers are not required by the school district, Haas said.
The district office is located at 201 Park Street.
Those looking for additional information about forms and the submittal process can contact Haas by phone: 920-563-7807, or email: haasl@fortschools.org.
A link to the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) Guide for Candidates 2023 Spring Election Edition is here: https://wasb.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Guide_for_Candidates.pdf.
Additional resources provided to candidates by the WASB are here: https://wasb.org/legal-human-resources-services/school-board-elections-resources/.
School district offices will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 23, 26, 30, and Jan. 2, 2023, according to the website.
A primary election becomes necessary when more than four candidates come forward for the two open at-large seats.
If a primary election becomes necessary, it will be held on Feb. 21, 2023.
Information provided on the school district’s website is here: https://www.fortschools.org/Page/9186.
Information provided by the Wisconsin Elections Commission for candidates is here: https://elections.wi.gov/candidates.
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