Dane County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
29 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 15 Dane County races, led by the Dane County Sheriff contest.
County offices
SheriffKalvin Barrett (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Kalvin Barrett (Democratic) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Dane County Sheriff.
Kalvin Barrett Democratic Incumbent
- Expanded mental health response and treatment programs
- Re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated people
- Community trust, transparency and accountability
Per the campaign site.
About Kalvin Barrett
Serves as Dane County sheriff, a post he was appointed to in 2021 and won a full term in 2022, according to the Cap Times. He previously worked in law enforcement and taught criminal justice at Madison College, per his campaign site. The Dane County Sheriff's Office says he leads an agency of more than 600 employees.
Incumbent Kalvin Barrett won the August 11 Democratic primary for Dane County sheriff over Jack Ordman with about 79 percent of the vote, per the county clerk's canvass, and no Republican is on the November ballot.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Dane County is split across 14 Wisconsin Assembly and Senate districts.
Find your districts by addressWisconsin Assembly: 12 districtsDistricts 42, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81
Wisconsin Assembly District 42Keith F. Miller (R) · Maureen McCarville (D)
Keith F. Miller Republican
Keith F. Miller is the Republican candidate for Wisconsin Assembly District 42 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Maureen McCarville Democratic Incumbent
Maureen McCarville worked for 40 years at Madison Gas & Electric, including 17 years as a union officer with OPEIU Local 39, per her official legislator biography. She served in the Wisconsin National Guard for more than a decade and has held local office on the DeForest Village Board and the Dane County Board of Supervisors. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Keith F. Miller (Republican), Maureen McCarville (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Maureen McCarville is the sitting member, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's incumbent listing and the Legislature's roster. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 46John Donohue (R) · Joan Fitzgerald (D)
John Donohue Republican
John Donohue is the Republican candidate for Wisconsin Assembly District 46 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Joan Fitzgerald Democratic Incumbent
Joan Fitzgerald taught high school math in the Jefferson public schools for 33 years before retiring, per her official legislator biography. She later served on the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors and was elected to the Assembly in 2024. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
John Donohue (Republican), Joan Fitzgerald (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Joan Fitzgerald is the sitting member, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's incumbent listing and the Legislature's roster. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 47Sandy Bakk (R) · Randy Udell (D)
Sandy Bakk Republican
Sandy Bakk is the Republican candidate for Wisconsin Assembly District 47 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Randy Udell Democratic Incumbent
Randy Udell worked for 30 years as a telecommunications engineer in finance and planning before retiring, per his official legislator biography. He has served as treasurer of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin since 2015 and previously was a Fitchburg City Council alder representing District 4. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Sandy Bakk (Republican), Randy Udell (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Randy Udell is the sitting member, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's incumbent listing and the Legislature's roster. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 48Mark Kjorlie (R) · Andrew Hysell (D)
Mark Kjorlie Republican
Mark Kjorlie is the Republican candidate for Wisconsin Assembly District 48 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list.
Andrew Hysell Democratic Incumbent
Andrew Hysell is a practicing attorney who previously served as a legislative aide to Wisconsin Senate and Assembly Democrats, per his official legislator biography. He later worked as a vice president at Save the Children and as director of the Campaign for Healthy Kids, focused on public education and children's health issues. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Mark Kjorlie (Republican), Andrew Hysell (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Andrew Hysell is the sitting member, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's incumbent listing and the Legislature's roster. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 50Jon Aleckson (R) · Bill Oemichen (D)
Jon Aleckson Republican
Jon Aleckson founded the educational technology company Web Courseworks in 1999 and served as its CEO through 2021, per the Monroe Times. He holds a PhD in educational technology leadership policy from UW-Madison and was an adjunct professor at UW-Platteville from 2012 to 2015. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Bill Oemichen Democratic
- Secure sustainable state investment in public school financing
- Expand state support for affordable housing
- Expand state investment in affordable childcare access
Per the campaign site.
About Bill Oemichen
Bill Oemichen is a Professor of Practice in law and local government education at UW-Madison's Division of Extension, per the Monroe Times. He previously served as Wisconsin's chief consumer protection official at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and as president and CEO of Cooperative Network, and he is serving his third term as New Glarus School Board President. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Jon Aleckson (Republican), Bill Oemichen (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 51Nathan Tataje (American Solidarity) · Todd Novak (R) · Ben Gruber (D)
Nathan Tataje American Solidarity
- Permanent property tax relief through a dedicated Rural School Endowment
- Protecting local zoning authority from state and corporate overreach
- Environmental stewardship regarding large-scale data centers' impact on property values and aquifers
Per the campaign site.
About Nathan Tataje
Nathan Tataje is a first-generation American whose parents immigrated from Peru and Nicaragua, and he lives in rural Arena, per his American Solidarity Party candidate page. He serves as Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 7811 and describes his campaign as rooted in working-class experience rather than a political career.
Todd Novak Republican Incumbent
Todd Novak has served as Mayor of Dodgeville since 2012 and previously worked as government and associate editor of the Dodgeville Chronicle, per his official legislator biography. He was appointed to the Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and was first elected to the Assembly in 2014. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Ben Gruber Democratic
- Lowering everyday costs for families
- Rebuilding rural communities and protecting natural resources
- Strengthening workers' right to organize
Per the campaign site.
About Ben Gruber
Ben Gruber has worked as a volunteer EMT, firefighter, paramedic, police officer and conservation warden, per his campaign website. He grew up in a rural, working-class family as the oldest of three children.
Nathan Tataje (American Solidarity), Todd Novak (Republican), Ben Gruber (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Todd Novak is the sitting member, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's incumbent listing and the Legislature's roster. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 76Nina Chat (R) · Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford (D)
Nina Chat Republican
Nina Chat is the Republican candidate for Wisconsin Assembly District 76 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford Democratic
Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford serves on the Madison Common Council, per Channel3000/WISC-TV. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Nina Chat (Republican), Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Francesca Hong filed a notification of noncandidacy, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 77Jane McCormick (R) · Renuka Mayadev (D)
Jane McCormick Republican
- Raise education standards and support teachers
- Lower taxes and encourage more housing choices
- Support public safety and strengthen mental health systems
Per the campaign site.
About Jane McCormick
Jane McCormick launched and managed the Madison office of Plunkett Raysich Architects and later led regional expansion for the consulting firm Affiliated Engineers, per her campaign website. She founded Shore Bluff Realty as an independent real estate brokerage in 2015 and is a UW-Madison graduate who has lived on Madison's Near West Side for more than 40 years.
Renuka Mayadev Democratic Incumbent
Renuka Mayadev holds a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and an economics degree from Northwestern University, per her official legislator biography. She has worked as a program advisor on maternal and child health at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and previously held policy roles with the Children's Defense Fund and as an advisor to former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Jane McCormick (Republican), Renuka Mayadev (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Renuka Mayadev is the sitting member, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's incumbent listing and the Legislature's roster. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 78Henry Johnson (R) · Shelia Stubbs (D)
Henry Johnson Republican
Henry Johnson is the Republican candidate for Wisconsin Assembly District 78 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Shelia Stubbs Democratic Incumbent
Shelia Stubbs is a graduate of Tougaloo College who has worked as a senior probation and parole agent and a special education teacher, per her official legislator biography. She served 16 years on the Dane County Board of Supervisors before her election to the Assembly in 2018. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Henry Johnson (Republican), Shelia Stubbs (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Shelia Stubbs is the sitting member, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's incumbent listing and the Legislature's roster. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 79John Fons (R) · Lisa Subeck (D)
John Fons Republican
John Fons is the Republican candidate for Wisconsin Assembly District 79 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Lisa Subeck Democratic Incumbent
Lisa Subeck is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison who served two terms on the Madison Common Council before her election to the Assembly in 2014, per her official legislator biography. She previously worked in social services at the YWCA Madison, including early childhood education and Head Start programs. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
John Fons (Republican), Lisa Subeck (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Lisa Subeck is the sitting member, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's incumbent listing and the Legislature's roster. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 80Simran Arora (R) · Mike Bare (D)
Simran Arora Republican
Simran Arora is the Republican candidate for Wisconsin Assembly District 80 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Mike Bare Democratic Incumbent
Mike Bare worked as an advocate for low-income residents at the Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and taught graduate students at UW-Milwaukee's Zilber School of Public Health, per his official legislator biography. He previously served as an aide to U.S. Senator Russ Feingold and on the Dane County Board and Verona City Council before his election to the Assembly in 2022. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Simran Arora (Republican), Mike Bare (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Mike Bare is the sitting member, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's incumbent listing and the Legislature's roster. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 81Mark S. Maier (R) · Alex Joers (D)
Mark S. Maier Republican
Mark S. Maier is the Republican candidate for Wisconsin Assembly District 81 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Alex Joers Democratic Incumbent
Alex Joers is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a dual degree in political science and public administration, per his official legislator biography. His family owns a children's recreation and fitness business opened in 2004, and he served on the Dane County Board before his election to the Assembly in 2022. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Mark S. Maier (Republican), Alex Joers (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Alex Joers is the sitting member, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's incumbent listing and the Legislature's roster. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWisconsin Senate: 2 districtsDistricts 17, 27
Wisconsin Senate District 17Howard Marklein (R) · Jenna Jacobson (D)
Howard Marklein Republican Incumbent
Howard Marklein is a certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner who has been a partner at the accounting firm now known as Baker Tilly, per his official legislator biography. He served two terms in the Assembly before his election to the Senate and has co-chaired the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance since 2021. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Jenna Jacobson Democratic
Jenna Jacobson has provided volunteer budgeting and credit counseling services in Oregon, Wisconsin, and previously served as a village trustee focused on housing issues, per her official Assembly biography. She holds a degree in consumer financial planning from Purdue University after transferring from UW-River Falls, and currently represents the 50th Assembly District. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Howard Marklein (Republican), Jenna Jacobson (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Howard Marklein is the sitting member, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's incumbent listing and the Legislature's roster. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWisconsin Senate District 27Dianne Hesselbein (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Dianne Hesselbein Democratic Incumbent
Dianne Hesselbein served on the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Board of Education and on the Dane County Board of Supervisors for three terms, per her official legislator biography. She was elected to the Assembly in 2012, serving five terms before her election to the Senate in 2022, and is the Senate Democratic Leader. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Dianne Hesselbein (Democratic) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; Dianne Hesselbein is the sitting member, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's incumbent listing and the Legislature's roster. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageBallot questions
5 local ballot questions from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Dane County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
Operating referendum, 2027-28 through 2030-31Evansville Community School District · The district asks voters to authorize it to exceed the state revenue limit by $5,300,000 per year for four years, for operational and maintenance expenses including student resources, educational programming, and facility maintenance.
The district asks voters to authorize it to exceed the state revenue limit by $5,300,000 per year for four years, for operational and maintenance expenses including student resources, educational programming, and facility maintenance.
Question 1: Operating referendum, 2027-28 through 2031-32School District of Lodi · The district asks voters to authorize it to exceed the state revenue limit by $5,980,000 per year for five years, for operational expenses including instructional and educational programming, technology updates, and staff compensation.
The district asks voters to authorize it to exceed the state revenue limit by $5,980,000 per year for five years, for operational expenses including instructional and educational programming, technology updates, and staff compensation.
Question 2: Bond referendum for high school and primary school facility improvementsSchool District of Lodi · The district asks voters to authorize general obligation bonds of up to $13,200,000 to renovate the high school (career and technical education spaces, indoor pool, and athletic pool locker rooms) and to build athletic practice fields and a varsity baseball field at the Primary School.
The district asks voters to authorize general obligation bonds of up to $13,200,000 to renovate the high school (career and technical education spaces, indoor pool, and athletic pool locker rooms) and to build athletic practice fields and a varsity baseball field at the Primary School.
Question 1: Recurring operating referendum, phased through 2030-31Waunakee Community School District · The district asks voters to authorize a recurring increase to its revenue limit, phased in from $4,200,000 in 2027-28 up to a total of $10,500,000 by 2030-31 and remaining at that level thereafter, for ongoing operational expenses and employee compensation.
The district asks voters to authorize a recurring increase to its revenue limit, phased in from $4,200,000 in 2027-28 up to a total of $10,500,000 by 2030-31 and remaining at that level thereafter, for ongoing operational expenses and employee compensation.
Question 2: Bond referendum for high school facility improvementsWaunakee Community School District · The district asks voters to authorize general obligation bonds of up to $97,500,000 to remove and rebuild an older portion of the high school, renovate the old middle school (High School South Campus), and make district-wide outdoor athletic field and facility improvements.
The district asks voters to authorize general obligation bonds of up to $97,500,000 to remove and rebuild an older portion of the high school, renovate the old middle school (High School South Campus), and make district-wide outdoor athletic field and facility improvements.
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Voting info and more
Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
Wisconsin nominees were set by the August 11 partisan primary (plurality, no runoffs) and meet on the November 3 ballot; unopposed nominees still print. All 99 Assembly seats and the odd-numbered Senate districts are up, along with sheriff, clerk of circuit court and coroner in each county; county clerk, treasurer, register of deeds and district attorney were elected in 2024 and county executives, boards and judges are elected at the spring election, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
Who is on the ballot in Dane County, Wisconsin on November 3, 2026?
Dane County sample ballot 2026: see where the county sheriff, wisconsin senate and wisconsin assembly candidates stand on health care, schools and housing. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Wisconsin?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Wisconsin are listed on the Wisconsin election hub. Wisconsin election hub →
What ballot questions are on the Dane County ballot?
5 ballot questions: Operating referendum, 2027-28 through 2030-31; Operating referendum, 2027-28 through 2031-32; Bond referendum for high school and primary school facility improvements; and more. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Dane County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Sample ballot by ZIP code in Dane County35 ZIP codes
Candidate roster last updated Sep 29, 2026 from official election sources.