The general election is coming faster than you think! There are only 10 more days till the polls open on November 6th, unless you have already registered to receive an absentee ballot, so it is important to be informed about who you are voting for. While this is not a presidential election, there are still many people to be elected that can change the future of Wisconsin and the nation. Below are the different sections you will see at the voting polls or on your absentee ballot, as well as the candidates for each position.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
The Governor holds the highest office in the state and is the head of the executive branch. They are elected once every four years and have no term limit. The Lieutenant Governor holds an office to the Vice-President. They are the second ranking officer of the executive branch and are the first officer in line to succeed if the Governor cannot fulfill their duties. For this election, there are six pairs to vote for, not including the option of writing in a candidate. The pairs and parties are listed as followed:
- Scott Walker and Rebecca Kleefisch (Republican)
- Tony Evers and Mandela Barnes (Democratic)
- Phillip Anderson and Patrick Baird (Libertarian)
- Michael J. White and Tiffany Anderson (Wisconsin Green)
- Maggie Turnbull and Wil Losch (Independent)
- Arnie Enz (running without a Lieutenant Governor) (The Wisconsin Party)
Attorney General
The position of Attorney General is elected every four years and serves a four-year term. They are the head of the state Department of Justice and are the chief legal officer for the state. They provide legal advice and representation for all state agencies. There are three options this election:
- Brad Schimel (Republican)
- Josh Kaul (Democratic)
- Terry Larson (Constitution)
Secretary of State
The Secretary of State runs every four years, with a four-year term. They keep a record of all official acts of the legislature and executive department of the state and is second in line of succession to the governorship. Two different candidates are running this election season:
- Jay Schroeder (Republican)
- Doug La Follette (Democratic)
State Treasurer
The State Treasurer serves a four-year term and is elected every four years. They are responsible for providing services to promote the unclaimed property program, making certified copies of deeds, bonds, and documents filed in the treasurer’s office, and they sit on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. Three candidates are competing for this position:
- Travis Hartwig (Republican)
- Sarah Godlewski (Democratic)
- Andrew Zuelke (Constitution)
U.S. Senator
Two U.S. Senators are elected to represent each state in the nation, but they run on different term cycles so that there is always a representative. A Senator serves a term of six years and then is up for reelection. They are responsible for writing and passing laws, approving presidential appointments, ratifying treaties with other countries, along with many other responsibilities. They try to reflect the views of their constituents when voting on important issues. The two candidates running are listed as followed:
- Leah Vukmir (Republican)
- Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)
Each district is responsible for electing a Representative in Congress, and odd-numbered districts have their representative for State Senator up for election. Additionally, all districts will be electing Representatives to the Assembly. To see what your ballot will look like, see https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/.
Depending on which county you are from, the positions of Sheriff, Clerk of Circuit Court, and Coroner may or may not be up for election. To find out if your official is up for election, see https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/.
With these many options, it is difficult to stay informed on each candidate’s beliefs and values. However, most candidates use their political party’s views when completing their elected duties. Below are the different political parties each candidate aligns themselves with and some information on that party’s views.
Republican:
The Republican Party, also referred to as the GOP, believes in lowering taxes, free market capitalism, a strong national defense, gun rights, conservative economic policies and traditional values, typically based on Christian ethics.
Democratic:
The Democratic Party believes in advocating for social and economic equality, and the welfare of the state. Through social programs, they work to support labor unions, affordable college, equal opportunity and environmental protection.
Libertarian:
The Libertarian Party believes in promoting civil liberties, a lack of government intervention in the market, and the downsizing of the range of government abilities in the lives of private institutions and citizens.
Wisconsin Green:
The Wisconsin Green Party uses the “green politics” ideology that focuses on a sustainable society maintained off of nonviolence, social justice and environmentalist efforts.
Independent:
The American Independent Party uses the Constitution as its guideline and focuses on bringing America back to the original intent that the Founding Fathers had. They believe in Christian values, a strong defense and non-government schools.
The Wisconsin Party:
The Wisconsin Party is a branch off the American Patriot Party and focuses on the intention that the Founding Fathers had for the country. They want to strengthen states rights while reducing the power of the federal government and to guarantee certain inalienable rights written in the constitution.
Constitution Party:
The Constitution Party is a conservative political party that supports the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, and wants to maintain what the Founding Fathers intended for the country, including a smaller government presence.
Voting is a privilege and our civic responsibility as Americans. While it may not seem as though one vote can make a difference, there are many other countries that do not let their citizens have a say in their officials. Staying informed on the candidates running for office allows us to best choose the individual that represents our beliefs and values and have a say in the future of our country.