Overview

The primary responsibility of the County Board of Canvassers is to canvass and certify election results at the county level. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.60. The County Board of Canvassers then delivers county election results to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.60. When ordered by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, the County Board of Canvassers conducts a recount. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 9.01(1)(b). The County Board of Canvassers is made up of the County Clerk and two qualified electors of the county, who are appointed by the County Clerk. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.60(2).

The County Clerk serves as a member of the County Board of Canvassers and participates in the County Board of Canvassers’ duties as such. In addition, the County Clerk assists the Wisconsin Elections Commission with training election officials and educational programs to inform electors about the voting process. Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 7.10(7)-(9).

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of County Boards of Canvassers are:

1. Canvassing and certifying county election results. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.60.
2. Conducting recounts. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 9.01(1)(b).

The additional duties of County Clerks are:

1. Assisting the Wisconsin Elections Commission with election official training and voter education programs. Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 7.10(7)-(9).

Selection and Vacancy Information

• **Elected, Ex Officio, and Appointed: ****The County Clerk serves as one of the members of the County Board of Canvassers and is elected by the qualified electors of the county. Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 7.60(2), 59.20(2); Wis. Const. Art. VI, § 4(1)(c). The County Clerk appoints the other two members of the County Board of Canvassers. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.60(2). If the County Clerk’s office is vacant, the Deputy County Clerk serves on the County Board of Canvassers. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.60(2). If the County Clerk and the Deputy County Clerk’s offices are both vacant, the County Executive or the Chairperson of the County Board of Supervisors designates another qualified elector of the county to serve. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.60(2).
• Term of Office: County Clerks are elected for four-year terms. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 59.20(2); Wis. Const. Art. VI, § 4(1)(c). Members of County Boards of Canvassers serve two-year terms, beginning on January 1 of each even-numbered year. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.60(2).
• Next Election: County Clerks are elected at general elections. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 59.20(2). The next general election in Wisconsin is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
• Qualifications: Members of County Boards of Canvassers must be qualified to vote in the county from which they are appointed. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.60(2). One of the members appointed by the County Clerk must be of another political party than the County Clerk. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.60(2). To be eligible to run for County Clerk, a person must be a qualified elector of the relevant county. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 59.20(1). Candidates for offices canvassed by the County Board of Canvassers may not serve as members. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.60(2).
• Vacancy: In the case of a vacancy on a County Board of Canvassers, the County Clerk appoints a person to serve for the unexpired term of the original appointee. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.60(2). If the County Clerk is unable to make an appointment to fill a vacancy, the County Board of Supervisors makes an appointment for the rest of the unexpired term or orders a special election. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 17.21(3).