Chapter 11

11.0202(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), no candidate may make or accept contributions, make disbursements, or incur obligations except through a candidate committee registered under this subchapter.

11.0202(2)(b) (b) A candidate does not violate this subsection by taking any of the following actions:

11.0202(2)(b)1. 1. Accepting a contribution, making a disbursement, or incurring an obligation in the amount required to rent a postal box, or in the minimum amount required by a bank or trust company to open a checking account, prior to the time of registration, if the disbursement is properly reported on the first report submitted under s. 11.0204 after the date that the candidate committee is registered, whenever a reporting requirement applies to the candidate committee.

11.0202(2)(b)2. 2. Accepting a contribution, making a disbursement, or incurring an obligation required for the production of nomination papers.

11.0202(2)(c) (c) Except as provided in par. (d), no candidate may establish more than one candidate committee.

11.0202(2)(d) (d)

11.0202(2)(d)1. 1. An individual who holds a state or local elective office and who becomes a candidate for a different state or local elective office may establish a 2nd candidate committee under this subchapter for the purpose of pursuing that different state or local office.

11.0202(2)(d)2. 2. If the individual described under subd. 1. wins the election for which the individual created the 2nd candidate committee, and the individual is not eligible to continue to hold the first office, the individual shall terminate the first candidate committee as provided under s. 11.0105 no later than 180 days after the date the individual is sworn into the office for which the 2nd candidate committee was created. Residual funds of the first committee may be transferred as provided in s. 11.1114 or used or disposed of in any manner allowed by law.

11.0202(2)(d)3. 3. If the individual described under subd. 1. wins the election for which the individual created the 2nd candidate committee, but the individual is still eligible to hold the first office, the individual shall maintain a committee for each office until such time as the individual resigns from, or a successor is sworn in to, the office. If the individual subsequently resigns from either office, or a successor is sworn into either office, the individual shall terminate the candidate committee for which the individual no longer holds office as provided under s. 11.0105 no later than 180 days after the date the individual resigns or a successor is sworn in. Residual funds of the terminated committee may be transferred as provided in s. 11.1114 or used or disposed of in any manner allowed by law.

11.0202(2)(d)4. 4. If the individual described under subd. 1. loses the election for which the individual created the 2nd candidate committee, the individual shall terminate the 2nd candidate committee as provided in s. 11.0105 no later than 180 days after the date the winner of that election takes office. Residual funds of the 2nd committee may be transferred as provided in s. 11.1114 or used or disposed of in any manner allowed by law.

11.0202 History History: 2015 a. 117; 2023 a. 120, 126.

11.0203 11.0203 Registration; required information.

11.0203(1) (1) Required information. The candidate committee shall indicate on the registration statement that it is registering as a candidate committee and shall include all of the following, where applicable, on the registration statement:

11.0203(1)(a) (a) The name and mailing address of the candidate committee.

11.0203(1)(b) (b) The name and mailing address of the candidate committee treasurer and any other custodian of books and accounts. Unless otherwise directed by the treasurer on the registration form and except as otherwise provided in this chapter or any rule of the commission, all mailings that are required by law or by rule of the commission shall be sent to the treasurer at the treasurer’s address indicated upon the form.

11.0203(1)(bd) (bd) The email address and personal telephone number of the candidate, the candidate committee treasurer, and any other custodian of books and accounts. Telephone numbers provided under this paragraph shall be kept confidential and are not subject to the right of inspection and copying under s. 19.35 (1).

11.0203(1)(c) (c) In the case of a candidate committee of an independent candidate for partisan office or a candidate for nonpartisan county or municipal office, a list of the members of the committee, in addition to those specified in par. (b), if any, whom the commission shall recognize as eligible to fill a nomination vacancy if the candidate dies before the election.

Effective date note NOTE: Par. (c) is shown as amended eff. 7-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 126. Prior to 7-1-25 it reads:

Effective date text (c) In the case of a candidate committee of an independent candidate for partisan office or a candidate for nonpartisan county or municipal office, a list of the members of the committee, in addition to those specified in par. (b), if any, whom the filing officer shall recognize as eligible to fill a nomination vacancy if the candidate dies before the election.

11.0203(1)(d) (d) The name and address of the depository account of the candidate committee and of any other institution where funds of the committee are kept.

11.0203(2) (2) Certification. The individual responsible for filing or amending a candidate committee’s registration statement and any form or report required of the committee under this chapter shall certify that all information contained in the statement, form, or report is true, correct, and complete.

11.0203(3) (3) Change of information.

11.0203(3)(a) (a) The candidate committee shall report any change in information previously submitted in a registration statement within 10 days following the change. Except as provided in par. (b), any such change may be reported only by the individual or by the officer who has succeeded to the position of an individual who signed the original statement.

11.0203(3)(b) (b) A candidate or the treasurer of the candidate’s committee may report a change in the candidate committee’s registration statement.

11.0203 History History: 2015 a. 117 ss. 24, 74 (1m); 2023 a. 120, 126.

11.0204 11.0204 Reporting.

11.0204(1) (1) Contributions and disbursements.

11.0204(1)(a) (a) Each candidate, through his or her candidate committee, shall make full reports, upon a form prescribed by the commission and certified as required under s. 11.0103 (3) (c), of all contributions, disbursements, and obligations received, made, and incurred by the candidate committee. The candidate committee shall include in each report the following information, covering the period since the last date covered on the previous report:

11.0204(1)(a)1. 1. An itemized statement giving the date, full name, and street address of each person who has made a contribution to the candidate committee, together with the amount of the contribution.

11.0204(1)(a)2. 2. An itemized statement giving the date, full name, and street address of each committee to which the candidate committee has made a contribution, together with the amount of the contribution.

11.0204(1)(a)3. 3. The occupation, if any, of each individual contributor whose cumulative contributions to the candidate committee for the calendar year are in excess of $200.

11.0204(1)(a)4. 4. An itemized statement of each contribution made anonymously to the candidate committee. If the contribution exceeds $10, the candidate committee shall specify whether the candidate committee donated the contribution to the common school fund or to a charitable organization, and shall include the full name and mailing address of the donee.

11.0204(1)(a)5. 5. A statement of totals during the reporting period of contributions received and contributions donated as provided in subd. 4.

11.0204(1)(a)6. 6. A statement of the cash balance on hand at the beginning and end of the reporting period.

11.0204(1)(a)7. 7. An itemized statement of each loan of money made to the candidate committee, together with all of the following:

11.0204(1)(a)7.a. a. The full name and mailing address of the lender.

11.0204(1)(a)7.b. b. A statement of whether the lender is a commercial lending institution.

11.0204(1)(a)7.c. c. The date and amount of the loan.

11.0204(1)(a)7.d. d. The full name and mailing address of each guarantor, if any.

11.0204(1)(a)7.e. e. The original amount guaranteed by each guarantor.

11.0204(1)(a)7.f. f. The balance of the amount guaranteed by each guarantor at the end of the reporting period.

11.0204(1)(a)8. 8. An itemized statement of every disbursement exceeding $20 in amount or value, together with the name and address of the person to whom the disbursement was made, and the date and specific purpose for which the disbursement was made.

11.0204(1)(a)9. 9. An itemized statement of every obligation exceeding $20 in amount or value, together with the name of the person or business with whom the obligation was incurred, and the date and the specific purpose for which each such obligation was incurred.

11.0204(1)(a)10. 10. A statement of totals during the reporting period of disbursements made, including transfers made to and received from any other committees, other income, and loans.

11.0204(1)(a)11. 11. A statement of the balance of obligations incurred as of the end of the reporting period.

11.0204(1)(b) (b) The candidate committee shall begin each report filed under this chapter with the first contribution received, disbursement made, or obligation incurred during the reporting period.

11.0204(2) (2) Reports; candidates at spring primary. A candidate committee of a candidate at a spring primary or of a candidate at a special primary held to nominate nonpartisan candidates to be voted for at a special election held to fill a vacancy in one or more of the nonpartisan state or local offices voted for at the spring election shall do all of the following:

11.0204(2)(a) (a) File a preprimary report no earlier than 14 days and no later than 8 days preceding the primary. If a candidate for a nonpartisan state office at an election is not required to participate in a spring primary, the candidate committee shall file a preprimary report at the time prescribed in s. 11.0103 (4) preceding the date specified for the holding of the primary, were it to be required.

11.0204(2)(b) (b) File a preelection report no earlier than 14 days and no later than 8 days preceding the election.

11.0204(2)(c) (c) Annually in each year of an election cycle, file a report on January 15 and July 15.

11.0204(3) (3) Reports; candidates at spring elections. A candidate committee of a candidate at a spring election or of a candidate at a special election held to fill a vacancy in one or more of the nonpartisan state or local offices voted for at the spring election shall do all of the following:

11.0204(3)(a) (a) File a preelection report no earlier than 14 days and no later than 8 days preceding the election.

11.0204(3)(b) (b) Annually in each year of an election cycle, file a report on January 15 and July 15.

11.0204(3)(c) (c) Unless a continuing report is required to be filed under this subsection on or before the 45th day after the special election, file a postelection report no earlier than 23 days and no later than 45 days after each special election.

11.0204(4) (4) Reports; candidates at partisan primary. A candidate committee of a candidate at a partisan primary or of a special primary held to nominate candidates to be voted for at a special election held to fill a vacancy in one or more of the state or local offices voted for at the general election shall do all of the following:

11.0204(4)(a) (a) File a preprimary report no earlier than 14 days and no later than 8 days preceding the primary.

11.0204(4)(b) (b) File a preelection report no earlier than 14 days and no later than 8 days preceding the election.

11.0204(4)(c) (c) In an odd-numbered year, file a report on January 15 and July 15.

11.0204(4)(d) (d) In an even-numbered year, file a report on January 15 and July 15.

11.0204(4)(e) (e) In an even-numbered year, file a report on September 30 indicating contributions, disbursements, and obligations received, made, or incurred after July 1 that are not included in the preprimary report.

11.0204(5) (5) Reports; candidates at general elections. A candidate committee of a candidate at a general election or of a candidate at a special election held to fill a vacancy in one or more of the state or local offices voted for at the general election shall do all of the following:

11.0204(5)(a) (a) File a preelection report no earlier than 14 days and no later than 8 days preceding the election.

11.0204(5)(b) (b) In an odd-numbered year, file a report on January 15 and July 15.

11.0204(5)(c) (c) In an even-numbered year, file a report on January 15 and July 15.

11.0204(5)(cm) (cm) In an even-numbered year, file a report on September 30 indicating contributions, disbursements, and obligations received, made, or incurred after July 1 that are not included in the preprimary report.

11.0204(5)(d) (d) Unless a continuing report is required to be filed under this subsection on or before the 45th day after the special election, file a postelection report no earlier than 23 days and no later than 45 days after each special election.

11.0204(6) (6) Reports; candidates holding office but not up for election at general election. A candidate committee of a candidate holding an office voted for at the general election but not up for election in the current election cycle shall do all of the following:

11.0204(6)(a) (a) In an odd-numbered year, file a report on January 15 and July 15.

11.0204(6)(b) (b) In an even-numbered year, file a report on January 15 and July 15.

11.0204(6)(c) (c) In an even-numbered year, file a report on September 30 indicating contributions, disbursements, and obligations received, made, or incurred after July 1 that are not included in the preprimary report.

11.0204(7) (7) Reports of late contributions. If any contribution or contributions of $1,000 or more cumulatively are received by a candidate committee for a candidate for state office from a single contributor during the period beginning on the day that is 14 days prior to a primary or election and ending on the day of the primary or election, and the contribution or contributions are not included in the preprimary or preelection report required of the committee under this chapter, the treasurer of the committee or the individual receiving the contribution shall, within 72 hours of receipt, provide the commission with the information required to be reported for contributions received by the committee under this subchapter in such manner as the commission may prescribe. The information shall also be included in the committee’s next regular report.

Effective date note NOTE: Sub. (7) is shown as amended eff. 7-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 126. Prior to 7-1-25 it reads:

Effective date text (7) Reports of late contributions. If any contribution or contributions of $1,000 or more cumulatively are received by a candidate committee for a candidate for state office from a single contributor during the period beginning on the day that is 14 days prior to a primary or election and ending on the day of the primary or election, and the contribution or contributions are not included in the preprimary or preelection report required of the committee under this chapter, the treasurer of the committee or the individual receiving the contribution shall, within 72 hours of receipt, provide the appropriate filing officer with the information required to be reported for contributions received by the committee under this subchapter in such manner as the commission may prescribe. The information shall also be included in the committee’s next regular report.

11.0204 History History: 2015 a. 117 ss. 24, 74 (1m); 2021 a. 265; 2023 a. 126.

11.0205 11.0205 Transfers between candidates for governor and lieutenant governor. The candidate committee for governor and the candidate committee for lieutenant governor of the same political party may receive contributions and make disbursements for both candidates from either candidate committee’s depository account.

11.0205 History History: 2015 a. 117.

11.0206 11.0206 Soliciting funds on behalf of certain organizations. Notwithstanding s. 19.45 (2), a candidate may solicit a donation for use by a nonprofit organization with which he or she is associated, as defined in s. 19.42 (2).

11.0206 History History: 2015 a. 117.

11.0207 11.0207 Continuing compliance. An individual does not cease to be a candidate for purposes of compliance with this chapter or ch. 12 after the date of an election and no candidate or candidate committee is released from any requirement or liability otherwise imposed under this chapter or ch. 12 simply because the election date has passed.

11.0207 History History: 2015 a. 117.

subch. III of ch. 11 SUBCHAPTER III

POLITICAL PARTIES

11.0301 11.0301 Registration; treasurer and depositories.

11.0301(1) (1) Each political party required to register under this chapter shall designate a treasurer to comply with the registration and reporting requirements under this subchapter.

11.0301(2) (2) The treasurer shall ensure that all funds received are deposited in the political party depository account.

11.0301(3) (3) No disbursement may be made or obligation incurred by or on behalf of the political party without the authorization of the treasurer or a designated agent.

11.0301(4) (4) The treasurer shall maintain the records of the political party in an organized and legible manner for not less than 3 years after the date of the election in which the political party participates.

11.0301 History History: 2015 a. 117.

11.0302 11.0302 Registration; timing. Every political party that makes or accepts contributions, makes disbursements, or incurs obligations to support or oppose a candidate in a calendar year shall, upon its inception and prior to making or accepting any such contribution, making any such disbursement, or incurring any such obligation file a registration statement giving the information required by s. 11.0303.