Voters in Stanley and across Chippewa County will head to the polls Aug. 11 for Wisconsin’s partisan primary, with candidates from the Republican, Democratic and Green parties competing in statewide, congressional and local races that will help 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. The top winners in each party will advance to represent their party in November.
As for registration meanwhile, voters planning to participate in the Aug. 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 Aug. 7, 2026, at 5 p.m., or register at their polling place on Election Day, Aug. 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 Aug. 6 at 5 p.m., while indefinitely confined and military voters have until Aug. 7 at 5 p.m. to request one. In-person absentee voting may begin as early as July 28 and continue through Aug. 9, with municipal office hours varying. Hospitalized voters can request a ballot through an appointed agent until Aug. 11 at 5 p.m., and military voters away from home also have until 5 p.m. on Aug. 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, Aug. 11.
With that said, who’s on the August primary ballot?
On the Republican side, the ballot includes incumbent Derrick Van Orden for Wisconsin District 3 in the U.S. House, 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 District 7 for the U.S. House, where no incumbent is running after current officeholder Tom Tiffany entered the governor’s race. Candidates in the Republican primary inlcude Jessi Ebben, Niina Baum, Michael Alfonso, Kevin Hermening and Don Raihala. As for state level legislative races, Romaine Robert Quinn is listed in the 23rd State Senate District and Michele Magadance Skinner in the 31st State Senate District. Karen Hurd is the Republican candidate in the 69th Assembly District, while Bruce Stabenow is listed in the 91st Assembly District.
At the county level, Republican voters in Chippewa County will also see Travis Hakes and Mark Hollister on the ballot for sheriff. Nate Leidl is listed for Chippewa County clerk of circuit court, while the coroner race has no filed Republican candidate, though write-ins are allowed.
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 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.
In western Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, Democrats Emily Berge and Rebecca Cooke are competing for their party’s nomination to face Derrick Van Orden.
In the race for Wisconsin District 7 in the U.S. House meanwhile, 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 Jeff Smith is listed in the 31st State Senate District. Roger Halls is running in the 69th Assembly District and Jodi Emerson, the incumbent, is listed in the 91st Assembly District. Ronald Patten is listed for Chippewa County coroner and Jennifer Kragness Lee is on the ballot for Chippewa County clerk of circuit court. No Democratic candidate is listed for Chippewa County sheriff, though write-ins are allowed.
The Green Party primary ballot is limited, with Pete Karas listed for secretary of state and other offices write-in.
Parties without listed primary candidates for Aug. 11 include the Constitution, Libertarian, and Wisconsin Green parties, though voters can write candidates in. Independent Joshua Kelley is running in the Nov. 3 general election for State Assembly District 69, while Alexander Valiensi Kent and Rustin Provance will run as independents in Wisconsin District 3 for the U.S. House Nov. 3 as well.