WisconsinAB352025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)House

An Act to create 8.35 (1m), 12.13 (3) (ag) and 12.60 (1) (am) of the statutes; Relating to: withdrawal of candidacy for certain offices filled at the general election and providing a penalty. (FE)

Sponsored By: David Armstrong (Republican), Lindee Brill (Republican), Robert Brooks (Republican), Barbara Dittrich (Republican), Chanz Green (Republican), Rick Gundrum (Republican), Karen Hurd (Republican), Joel Kitchens (Republican), Daniel Knodl (Republican), Rob Kreibich (Republican), David Murphy (Republican), Jeffrey Mursau (Republican), Amanda Nedweski (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), Jim Piwowarczyk (Republican), Shae Sortwell (Republican), David Steffen (Republican), Ron Tusler (Republican)

Became Law

Attorney GeneralCrime and criminals -- FelonyElectionsElections CommissionFinesGovernorLegislature -- Criminal PenaltiesJoint Review Committee onLieutenant GovernorSecretary of StateSentences and penaltiesTreasurer -- StateUnited States -- CongressUnited States -- President

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Felony for false candidate withdrawals

It is a crime to intentionally make or file a false sworn statement that withdraws a candidacy under this process. A violation is a Class G felony. This covers anyone who files or causes the filing of the false withdrawal statement.

Candidate withdrawal with fees and deadlines

The law lets a person who filed nomination papers for a general‑election office, and did not qualify to appear on the ballot, keep their name off the ballots. To do this, the person must file a sworn withdrawal form on a commission form before June 10 preceding the partisan primary, or before the 4th Tuesday in August preceding the general election. The person must pay $1,000 if running for a national or statewide office, or $250 if running for a non‑statewide office. The Elections Commission sets and runs a process to verify that the sworn statement is authentic. This does not apply to candidates for district attorney.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • David Armstrong

    Republican • House

  • Lindee Brill

    Republican • House

  • Robert Brooks

    Republican • House

  • Barbara Dittrich

    Republican • House

  • Chanz Green

    Republican • House

  • Rick Gundrum

    Republican • House

  • Karen Hurd

    Republican • House

  • Joel Kitchens

    Republican • House

  • Daniel Knodl

    Republican • House

  • Rob Kreibich

    Republican • House

  • David Murphy

    Republican • House

  • Jeffrey Mursau

    Republican • House

  • Amanda Nedweski

    Republican • House

  • Jerry O'Connor

    Republican • House

  • Jim Piwowarczyk

    Republican • House

  • Shae Sortwell

    Republican • House

  • David Steffen

    Republican • House

  • Ron Tusler

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Van Wanggaard

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 37 • No: 29

Senate vote 10/14/2025

Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 19, Noes 14

Yes: 19 • No: 14

Senate vote 10/14/2025

Senate Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15

Yes: 18 • No: 15

Actions Timeline

  1. Published 11-1-2025

    10/31/2025House
  2. Report approved by the Governor on 10-31-2025. 2025 Wisconsin Act 43

    10/31/2025House
  3. Presented to the Governor on 10-29-2025

    10/29/2025House
  4. Report correctly enrolled on 10-20-2025

    10/20/2025House
  5. LRB correction (Assembly Amendment 1)

    10/20/2025House
  6. Received from Senate concurred in

    10/14/2025House
  7. Ordered immediately messaged

    10/14/2025Senate
  8. Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 19, Noes 14

    10/14/2025Senate
  9. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

    10/14/2025Senate
  10. Ordered to a third reading

    10/14/2025Senate
  11. Senate Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15

    10/14/2025Senate
  12. Read a second time

    10/14/2025Senate
  13. Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senators Larson, Carpenter, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Habush Sinykin, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Keyeski, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys, Smith, Spreitzer, Wall and Wirch

    10/14/2025Senate
  14. Placed on calendar 10-14-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

    10/13/2025Senate
  15. Available for scheduling

    10/10/2025Senate
  16. Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2

    10/10/2025Senate
  17. Executive action taken

    10/8/2025Senate
  18. Public hearing held

    9/18/2025Senate
  19. Read first time and referred to committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs

    6/27/2025Senate
  20. Received from Assembly

    6/24/2025Senate
  21. Ordered immediately messaged

    6/24/2025House
  22. Read a third time and passed

    6/24/2025House
  23. Rules suspended

    6/24/2025House
  24. Ordered to a third reading

    6/24/2025House
  25. Assembly Amendment 1 adopted

    6/24/2025House

Bill Text

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