DUNN COUNTY – The April spring elections in Dunn County will place residents on local government bodies that are closely connected to their rural communities. These governing bodies, including the county’s 22 town governments, will make impactful decisions on essential issues such as road repairs, driveway permits, land use, and more—decisions that directly affect daily life in the community.

Town officers are often long serving, so many of the towns will have incumbents running for new two-year supervisor or chair terms, but there may also be challengers or new candidates. In the towns surrounding Menomonie, two – the Town of Tainter and the Town of Menomonie – have announced early January deadlines for those circulating nomination papers. Five others – the towns of Red Cedar, Elk Mound, Spring Brook, Dunn, and Sherman, will hold caucuses in January to nominate candidates. Most towns still elect clerks and treasurers, although some have chosen to appoint those officers. One town, Sand Creek, still elects a constable as well. Caucus dates will be posted on town websites when they are set.

VILLAGE ELECTIONS
There are seven villages in Dunn County. Three have trustee or president candidates circulating nomination papers, Boyceville, Wheeler and Elk Mound. The other four – Colfax, Downing, Knapp, and Ridgeland – will hold caucuses to nominate candidates. Ridgeland and Downing will also have candidates for clerk.

CITY ELECTION
There is only one city in Dunn County – Menomonie – and since this is an odd numbered year, the odd numbered wards will vote for council members. All candidates are circulating nomination papers. There is no election for Mayor this year.

JUDICIAL ELECTIONS
While local judges are not up for election this spring, Dunn County ballots will list a contest for Appellate Court District III Judge, now held by incumbent Lisa Start.

STATEWIDE ELECTIONS
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has a vacant seat left by retiring judge Ann Walsh Bradley. Another statewide race is that of Superintendent of Public Instruction, an office now held by Jill Underly.

If primaries are needed, they will be held Tuesday, February 18. The final election will be Tuesday, April 1.

Nomination papers are due to the filing office by 4pm on Tuesday, January 7. The last day to hold a caucus is Tuesday, January 21.

Information from the Dunn County Clerk website on filing for office, including nomination papers can be found HERE. School Board election info can be found HERE. City of Menomonie election information can be found HERE.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission website which contains additional information on local candidates running for office can be found HERE.