Getting on the Ballot

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If you are interested in running for elective office, the first date to circulate papers is December 1 in the year prior to the expiration of the term. The last date to file the nomination papers with the Clerk’s Office is 5:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday in January. You must file the nomination papers in person; they cannot be mailed. Nomination papers are available in the Clerk’s Office and below.

For questions regarding the information below, please contact the City Clerk's Office at telections@wauwatosa.net, or (414) 479-8917.

Listed below are links to the related forms for Mayor, Municipal Judge, and Alderpersons.

Type A Notice
Form 1 - Letter to Candidates (PDF)
Form 2 - Receipt of Election Form s (PDF)
Form 3 - Nomination Papers EL-169
Form 4 - Declaration of Candidacy EL-162 (and Memorandum regarding Felony Convictions)
Form 5 - Notification of Non-Candidacy EL-163 (incumbents only)
Form 6 - Campaign Finance Registration Statement CF-1
Form 7 - Campaign Financing Information (PDF)
Form 8 - Placement of Signs
Form 9 - Attribution Statements (Disclaimers) (PDF)
Form 10 - Formats for Disclaimers (PDF)
Form 11 - Ballot Access Checklist ELIS-7
Statement of Economic Interests (Municipal Judge candidates only)

Aldermanic Districts and Wards

Official Aldermanic District Map - 2026
Interactive GIS Aldermanic District Map
Individual Aldermanic District Maps
- District 1
- District 2
- District 3
- District 4
- District 5
- District 6
- District 7
- District 8
- District 9
- District 10
- District 11
- District 12

Campaign Finance

Download the Campaign Finance Overview - Local Candidate Packet.

Local candidates should visit the Local Campaign Finance page on the Wisconsin Elections Commission website.

Campaign Finance Reports

Voter Registration and Election Participation Data

Badger Voters is a website offered by the Wisconsin Elections Commission designed to allow users to request, receive a quote, purchase, and download Wisconsin voter registration and election participation data from the Statewide Voter Registration System. Users can complete this entire process online and independently 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Badger Voters FAQ

2026 Candidates for Local Office

This list shows all candidates who have declared candidacy for local office at the 2026 spring election:

Listing of Candidates for Local Office (updated 12-5-2025)

2026 Notifications of Non-candidacy

PLEASE NOTE: Due to Wauwatosa’s transition from 8 to 12 aldermanic districts, all 16 current alders are required to file a Notification of Non-candidacy in advance of the 2026 Spring Election.

This filing is a procedural requirement of the change in districts and does not mean an alder is choosing not to run. Incumbents may still run for office in the newly defined districts, and candidate filings will be posted on this webpage as they are received.

Video: Changes to Common Council 2026

We held an open house describing the changes coming to the Common Council in 2026, the role of an alderperson and mayor, how the council is organized, and how to run for local office. Watch this brief video of the presentation.