Unlike the partisan general elections that usually take place in November where candidates run under a political party, the spring elections for local offices are nonpartisan. Spring elections often receive less media coverage than fall elections, but they are just as important, and have a direct impact on local communities.

This page will serve as a guide to all things election and will continuously be updates with new information to keep you informed.

(Information here is for voters in Eau Claire County. If you live in another area county, click here to find your municipal clerk for election information.)

The spring election will be on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To register to vote, find your voting location, view a sample ballot, request an absentee ballot, and more, go to myvote.wi.

Early voting
Early in-person absentee voting is available March 19-29 and is handled by each municipality. You must be a resident of that municipality to vote there.
City of Eau Claire: Weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. behind City Hall (203 S. Farwell). Enter from Dewey St, drive in or walk up.
City of Altoona: Weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Altoona City Hall, 1303 Lynn Ave
Town of Washington: Weekdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Town Hall, 5750 Old Town Hall Road
For other Villages and Towns in Eau Claire County: Contact the Clerk listed at this link for early voting and polling place information.
...or Click here to find your municipal clerk based upon your voting address.

The following are important local offices that will have elections on April 2nd, 2024.

Municipal Councils and Boards, County Board

In Eau Claire, the City Council is the legislative body and exercises legislative and general ordinance powers for the City. In general, it is the responsibility of city councils/town boards appoint commissions and boards, adopt the city budget, set appropriate tax levies and much more. This means who is on the city council/town boards, immediately impacts the lives of those living in these cities. Each city, village, and town may be organized differently.

During even years, all County Board seats are also up for election.

Eau Claire City Council (Good Government Council Questionnaire) 

Eau Claire County Board (Good Government Council Questionnaire) 

Altoona Mayor

Town of Washington Town Board

Village of Fall Creek Village Board

School Boards

School boards are the governing body that oversees the school district's operation. Some of their duties include setting policies, standards for academic performance, and financial decisions. The total number of seats on a school board, and the number of seats up for election each year varies by district.

Altoona School Board (Good Government Council Questionnaire) 

Eau Claire Area School District Board of Education (Good Government Council Questionnaire) 

Fall Creek School Board

Circuit Court Judges

Three of Eau Claire County's Circuit Court Judges are up for reelection in 2024. All three are unopposed: Emily Long, Branch 3; Jon M Theisen, Branch 4; and Sarah Harless, Branch 5.

Presidential Preference Primary

Wisconsin voters will also have the opportunity to vote in one party for their preference for the Presidential race, although, based upon primaries that have already been held, both Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump have secured enough delegates for their respective nominations. Your ballot will list both parties, simply vote in only one. See your sample ballot at myvote.wi for the list of candidates.

Constitutional Amendments

This spring there will be two referendum questions on the ballot. Both of them are Wisconsin constitutional amendments that pertain to elections.

QUESTION 1: "Use of private funds in election administration. Shall section 7 (1) of article III of the constitution be created to provide that private donations and grants may not be applied for, accepted, expended, or used in connection with the conduct of any primary, election, or referendum?"

QUESTION 2: "Election officials. Shall section 7 (2) of article III of the constitution be created to provide that only election officials designated by law may perform tasks in the conduct of primaries, elections, and referendums?"

If passed, question 1 would ban private donations or grants from being used to help fund the election process.

If question 2 is passed, it would enshrine in the state constitution no one other than an election official may administer elections. This is already apart of Wisconsin State Law.

Both questions were introduced by state Republicans. In order for these amendments to be on the ballot, they were already passed through the Wisconsin House of Representatives and the Senate in two consecutive sessions.

Pro and con arguments for the amendments:
Vote "yes" on constitutional amendments to keep elections secure (Scott Frostman, WISC News)
Why you should vote “no” on two statewide questions to amend the constitution (Dan Shafer, The Recombobulation Area)

More Information:
myvote.wi
WisPolitics.com 

Posted by Mallory Williams Governmental Affairs Intern
williams@eauclairechamber.org