Voters in Owen, Withee and surrounding communities will head to the polls August 11 for Wisconsin’s partisan primary, with candidates from the Republican, Democratic and Green parties competing in statewide, congressional and local races that will shape the November general election ballot. Wisconsin open primary rules mean voters can choose the party of their choice under the “party preference” section on the ballot but can only vote within that party for the primary.
As for registration meanwhile, voters planning to participate in the August 11 partisan primary have several options, each with its own deadline. Registration by mail and online both must be completed by July 22, 2026, with mailed forms required to be postmarked by that date and online registration available through the Wisconsin DMV-based system. Voters may also register in person at their municipal clerk’s office until August 7, 2026, at 5 p.m., or register at their polling place on Election Day, August 11, when polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In all cases, voters must provide proof of residence when registering by mail, in the clerk’s office, or at the polls.
Absentee voting also comes with a series of deadlines. Regular and overseas voters must request an absentee ballot by August 6 at 5 p.m., while indefinitely confined and military voters have until August 7 at 5 p.m. to request one. In-person absentee voting may begin as early as July 28 and continue through August 9, with municipal office hours varying. Hospitalized voters can request a ballot through an appointed agent until August 11 at 5 p.m., and military voters away from home also have until 5 p.m. on August 11 to request an absentee ballot. Completed absentee ballots must be returned to the municipal clerk no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day, August 11.
With that said, who’s on the August primary ballot?
On the Republican side, the ballot includes Wisconsin U.S. House District 3 incumbent Derrick Van Orden, as well as Tom Tiffany and Andy Manske for governor. David Varnam and Will Martin are listed for lieutenant governor, while Eric Toney is the lone Republican candidate for attorney general. Four Republicans are seeking the secretary of state nomination: Jay Schroeder, Brayden Myer, Nate Pollnow and Cindy Werner. John S. Lieber is listed for state treasurer.
Republicans will also have a crowded primary in Wisconsin U.S. House District 7, where no incumbent is running after current officeholder Tom Tiffany entered the governor’s race. Candidates in the Republican primary contest are Jessi Ebben, Niina Baum, Michael Alfonso, Kevin Hermening and Don Raihala. In state legislative races affecting the area, Romaine Robert Quinn is listed in the 23rd State Senate District, while Rob Summerfield is the Republican candidate in the 68th Assembly District and Karen Hurd is listed in the 69th Assembly District.
At the county level, Republican voters in Clark County will see Kerry L. Kirn on the ballot for sheriff and Clarissa M. Rochester for coroner, while the clerk of circuit court race has no filed Republican candidate. In Taylor County meanwhile, Corey J. Dassow is listed for sheriff and Jill Scheithauer for clerk of circuit court.
Shifting to the Democratic primary ballot, voters will also see a lengthy list of candidates for the August primary. Candidates for governor are David Crowley, Sara Rodriguez, Joel Brennan, Francesca Hong, Kelda Roys, and Mandela Barnes. Another candidate, Melissa Hughes, dropped out earlier last month but is still listed on the ballot.
Sarah Godlewski meanwhile is listed for lieutenant governor, Josh Kaul for attorney general and Jocasta Zamarippa for secretary of state. The Democratic race for state treasurer includes Yee Leng Xiong and Dylan Ray Helmenstine.
As for U.S. House District 7, Democrats will choose among Chris Armstrong, Fred Clark and Ginger Murray. Richard Pulcher and Jeff Foster are listed in the 23rd State Senate District, while Elisha King is running in the 68th State Assembly District and Roger Halls is listed in the 69th State Assembly District. No Democratic candidate is listed in Clark County for sheriff or coroner, though write-ins are allowed. Heather Bravener is listed for clerk of circuit court in Clark County on the Democratic side.
The Green Party ballot is limited, with Pete Karas listed for secretary of state and other offices appearing to be write-in only. Parties without listed primary candidates for August 11 include the Constitution, Libertarian, and Wisconsin Green parties, though voters can write candidates in. Independent Joshua Kelley is running in the November 3 general election for State Assembly District 69.