17.21 Cross-reference
Cross-references: See s.
59.10 (3) (e) for method of filling vacancies on county boards.
17.22
17.22
Vacancies in appointive county offices; how filled. 17.22(1)(1) Vacancies in any appointive county office shall be filled by appointment for the residue of the unexpired term by the appointing power and in the manner prescribed by law for making regular full term appointments thereto; but the term of any person appointed by the county board to fill a vacancy in the office of county highway commissioner shall terminate the first Monday of January of the second year next succeeding the appointment. All appointments, subject to confirmation by the county board, made while the board is not in session, shall be acted upon by said board at its meeting next following such appointment.
17.22(2)
(2) Vacancies in the offices of officers appointed by the county board, occurring when the board is not in session, shall be filled in manner and for terms as follows:
17.22(2)(b)
(b) In the office of the county highway commissioner, by appointment by the county highway committee. A person so appointed shall hold office until the first Monday of January next succeeding the person's appointment, and the person's successor shall be appointed by the county board at its first regular meeting next succeeding such appointment and shall take office on the Tuesday following the first Monday of January next succeeding and shall hold office for term as prescribed in
sub. (1).
17.22(2)(d)
(d) In the office of any other officer appointed by the county board, by temporary appointment by the chairperson of the county board. A person so appointed shall hold office until a successor is appointed and qualifies, and the successor shall be appointed by the county board for the residue of the unexpired term at its meeting next after such vacancy occurred.
17.22 History
History: 1983 a. 192;
1991 a. 316.
17.22 AnnotationTerms and vacancies in appointive county offices discussed.
73 Atty. Gen. 99.
17.23
17.23
Vacancies in city offices; how filled. 17.23(1)
(1)
General and special charter cities. Vacancies in offices of cities operating under the general law or special charter shall be filled as follows:
17.23(1)(a)
(a) In cities of the 2nd, 3rd or 4th class, in the office of mayor, except as provided in
s. 9.10, by appointment by the common council. In the office of alderperson, by the common council, except as provided in
s. 9.10. A person so appointed shall hold office until a successor is elected and qualified. A successor shall be elected for the residue of the unexpired term on the first Tuesday of April next after the vacancy happens, in case it happens no later than December 1 preceding the first Tuesday in April, but if the vacancy happens after December 1 preceding the first Tuesday in April and before that day, then the successor shall be elected on the first Tuesday in April of the next ensuing year; but no election to fill a vacancy in such office may be held at the time of holding the regular election for that office.
17.23(1)(b)
(b) In 1st class cities, in the office of mayor, except as provided in
s. 9.10, the vacancy shall be filled by the president of the common council as acting mayor until a special election can be held under this paragraph. In such case, the acting mayor may continue to serve as president of the common council, in addition to exercising the powers and responsibilities of the office of mayor, until such time as a new mayor is elected and qualified, but the acting mayor may not take part in any vote of the common council during that period. In the office of alderperson, by special election, except as provided in
s. 9.10. When a mayor is temporarily appointed, the common council shall order a special election for the office of mayor under
s. 8.50 as promptly as possible, unless the vacancy occurs within 120 days of the expiration of the mayor's term of office. When an aldermanic seat becomes vacant, a successor shall be elected for the residue of the unexpired term on the first Tuesday of April or the Tuesday after the first Monday in November next after the vacancy happens, in case it happens no later than December 1 or June 1 preceding that day, but if the vacancy happens after December 1 or June 1 preceding that day, then the successor shall be elected on the following first Tuesday in April or Tuesday after the first Monday in November; but no election to fill a vacancy in such office may be held at the time of holding the regular election for that office. In addition, the president of the common council of any 1st class city may order a special election to be held under
s. 8.50 to fill a vacant aldermanic seat prior to the time when that seat is required to be filled under this paragraph. If a special election is held under this paragraph after a redistricting plan is adopted, the election shall be held in the aldermanic district as it existed when the office was filled at the last preceding election.
17.23(1)(c)
(c) In the office of any other elective officer, and except as provided in
s. 9.10, by appointment by the mayor subject to confirmation by the council, except that in case of vacancies in the office of any such officer of a city of the first class who is authorized by law to have a deputy, such deputy shall perform the duties of such office, and shall be entitled to the emoluments of such office during the remainder of the term. A person so appointed and confirmed shall hold office until a successor is elected and qualifies. The successor shall be elected as provided in
par. (a).
17.23(1)(d)
(d) In appointive offices, by appointment for the residue of the unexpired term by the appointing power and in the manner prescribed by law for making regular full term appointments thereto.
17.23(2)
(2) Commission form. Vacancies in offices of cities operating under the commission form of government shall be filled as follows:
17.23(2)(a)1.1. In the office of mayor or other member of the council, except as provided in
s. 9.10, in the manner provided in
sub. (1) (a). In the office of municipal judge, in the manner provided in
s. 8.50 (4) (fm). On failure of the council to make an appointment under
sub. (1) (a) for 30 days after the vacancy exists the city engineer shall be a temporary acting member of the council until such vacancy is filled in the manner provided by law, and shall have all the powers, prerogatives and duties of the vacant office except the right to vote to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor or council member.
17.23(2)(a)2.
2. When 2 vacancies exist in the council the city clerk shall be a temporary acting member of the council until the vacancies are filled in the manner provided by law, and shall have all the powers, prerogatives and duties of the vacant office except the right to vote to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor or council member.
17.23(2)(a)3.
3. When 3 vacancies exist in the council the city treasurer shall be a temporary acting member of the council until the vacancies are filled in the manner provided by law, and shall have all the powers, prerogatives and duties of the vacant office except the right to vote to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor or council member.
17.23(2)(a)4.
4. When 2 or more vacancies exist in the council 6 months or more prior to the first Tuesday of April of any year a special election to fill the vacancy for the residue of the unexpired term of each such vacancy shall be held and conducted, and the returns thereof made in the manner and within the time required in the case of regular municipal elections, and the city clerk shall call and give notice of such special election as provided by law within 10 days of the date when such vacancies exist.
17.23(2)(a)5.
5. While serving as temporary members of the council the city engineer, city clerk and city treasurer shall not be entitled to have or receive any compensation for such temporary service.
17.23(2)(a)6.
6. The powers, prerogatives and duties conferred on such temporary acting members of the council shall be in addition to all those otherwise vested by law in such city engineer, city clerk and city treasurer.
17.23(2)(a)7.
7. It is hereby declared to be the purpose and intention of this paragraph to permit the city engineer, city clerk and city treasurer to have and perform the powers and duties herein provided as temporary acting members of the council, in addition to the regular powers and duties of their respective offices and notwithstanding any other contrary provision of the law.
17.23(2)(c)
(c) In appointive offices, by appointment for the residue of the unexpired term by the appointing power and in the manner prescribed by law for making regular full term appointment thereto.
17.24
17.24
Vacancies in village offices. 17.24(1)
(1) Except as provided in
s. 9.10, a vacancy in any elective village office may be filled by appointment by a majority of the members of the village board for the residue of the unexpired term or until a special election is held under
s. 8.50 (4) (fm) or
sub. (2). A vacancy in an appointive office shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
17.24(2)
(2) Except as provided in
s. 8.50 (4) (fm), a vacancy in any elective office in a village may be filled by special election of a successor for the residue of the unexpired term on the first Tuesday of April next after the vacancy happens, if it happens no later than December 1 preceding the first Tuesday in April, but if the vacancy happens after December 1 preceding the first Tuesday of April, then the successor shall be elected on the first Tuesday of April of the next ensuing year; but no election to fill a vacancy in the office may be held at the time of holding the regular election for the office.
17.245
17.245
New city, village or town office, filling. Whenever an elective office is created in a city, village or town pursuant to law or ordinance, the office shall not be deemed vacant until it has first been filled by the electorate, except that if a city, village or town enacts an ordinance or bylaw creating a municipal court under
s. 755.01 before the December 1 preceding the spring election the office of municipal judge for that court shall be considered vacant and a temporary appointment may be made by the city, village or town governing body pending the election of the initial elected occupant of the office.
17.245 History
History: 1977 c. 256,
447;
1993 a. 10;
1995 a. 16 s.
2.
17.25
17.25
Vacancies in town offices; how filled. Vacancies in town offices shall be filled as follows:
17.25(1)
(1) In the town board, by the remaining supervisors and the town clerk, except as provided in
s. 9.10 and except when the vacancy is caused by removal by the circuit judge as provided by law, which latter vacancy shall be filled by appointment by that judge. Vacancies in other elective town offices shall be filled by appointment by the town board, except as provided in
ss. 8.50 (4) (fm) and
9.10 and except for vacancies caused by removal by the judge of the circuit court which latter vacancy shall be filled by that judge. Persons appointed under this subsection to fill vacancies shall hold office for the residue of the unexpired term, except persons appointed to fill vacancies as members of the water or light commission, which persons shall hold office only until their successors are elected and qualify and such successors shall be elected at the annual town meeting next after the vacancy occurs if the vacancy occurs 12 days or more prior to the meeting; otherwise at the annual town meeting held in the year next succeeding; but no election to fill a vacancy in the office may be held at the time of holding the regular election for the office.
17.25(2)
(2) In appointive offices, by appointment for the residue of the unexpired term by the appointing power and in the manner prescribed by law for making regular full term appointments thereto, except vacancies caused by removals by the judge of the circuit court which shall be filled for the residue of the unexpired term by the said judge.
17.25 History
History: 1977 c. 305,
403,
447;
1985 a. 304.
17.26
17.26
Vacancies in school boards; how filled. Except as provided in
s. 9.10, vacancies in a school board shall be filled as follows:
17.26(1)
(1) In a common, union high or unified school district, by appointment by the remaining members. Each appointee shall hold office until a successor is elected and takes office under
s. 120.06 (4) or
120.42 (2). When a vacancy occurs in the office of a board member who is in the last year of his or her term, or when a vacancy occurs after the spring election but on or before the last Tuesday in November in the office of a board member who is not in the last year of his or her term, the successor shall be elected at the next spring election. When a vacancy occurs after the last Tuesday in November and on or before the date of the next spring election in the office of a board member who is not in the last year of his or her term, the successor shall be elected at the 2nd following spring election.
17.26(2)
(2) In a 1st class city school district, by special election as provided under
s. 119.08 (4).
17.26(3)
(3) Any person selected under
sub. (1), upon being notified of his or her selection, shall be deemed to have accepted the selection unless within 5 days after notification he or she files with the clerk or director a written refusal to serve.
17.26(4)
(4) In boards where the first annual meeting of the district has failed to elect school board members, by appointment by the state superintendent of public instruction.
17.27
17.27
Vacancies in other offices; how filled. 17.27(1)
(1)
Joint county institutions. Vacancies in the office of any member of the governing body of a joint county hospital or sanatorium or other joint county institution, or in the office of any other officer of a joint county institution, shall be filled by appointment by the appointing power and in the manner prescribed by law for making regular full term appointments thereto. A vacancy in the office of any such officer appointed by the county board, occurring while the board is not in session, shall be filled by appointment by the chairperson of the county board; the person appointed holds office until a successor is appointed for the residue of the unexpired term by the county board at its first regular meeting held next after the vacancy occurs and the successor qualifies.
17.27(1m)
(1m) Metropolitan sewerage commission. Vacancies in the office of any directly elected member of a metropolitan sewerage commission under
s. 66.23 (11) (am) shall be filled by temporary appointment of the governor until a successor is elected and qualified. A successor shall be elected in the manner prescribed for filling vacancies in elective city offices under
s. 17.23 (1) (a).
17.27(1n)
(1n) Dane county lakes and watershed commission. If a vacancy occurs in the office of any appointed commissioner of the Dane county lakes and watershed commission, the county executive of Dane county shall appoint a member who meets the applicable requirements under
s. 33.44 (1) (c) to
(g).
17.27(1r)
(1r) Fox-Winnebago regional management commission. If a vacancy occurs in the position of any appointed member of the Fox-Winnebago regional management commission, the appointing authority shall fill the position with a person who meets the applicable requirements under
s. 30.94 (3).
17.27(3)
(3) Technical college district board. Vacancies in the membership of any technical college district board shall be filled in the manner prescribed in
ss. 38.08 (2) and
38.10.
17.27(4)
(4) Any other vacancy. In case of a vacancy in any office in the state where no other provision is made for filling the same, it shall be filled by appointment by the governor.
17.27 History
History: 1977 c. 29;
1979 c. 221;
1983 a. 192;
1989 a. 324;
1991 a. 39;
1993 a. 399; Sup. Ct. Order No.
96-08, 207 W (2d) xv (1997).
17.275
17.275
Records of applicants for elective positions. Unless otherwise directed under
s. 19.36 (7), no appointing authority or individual acting on behalf of an appointing authority may withhold from inspection or copying under
s. 19.35 (1) any record of the name or address of an applicant for appointment to fill a vacancy in an elective office.
17.275 History
History: 1987 a. 392;
1991 a. 269.
17.28
17.28
When officers may hold office. When no different provision is made in respect thereto, any officer who is elected or appointed to fill a vacancy shall qualify in the manner required by law of the officer in whose stead the officer is elected or appointed. An officer who is elected or appointed to fill a vacancy in an elective office shall enter upon the duties of his or her office immediately upon qualification and, if elected, upon certification of the election result, and shall hold office for the residue of the unexpired term unless removed or recalled in accordance with law except that an officer who is appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of sheriff, coroner, register of deeds or district attorney shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, unless removed or recalled in accordance with law. An officer who is appointed to fill a vacancy in an appointive office shall enter upon the duties of his or her office immediately upon qualification and shall hold office for the residue of the unexpired term, if any, and until his or her successor is appointed and qualifies unless removed in accordance with law.
17.285
17.285
Temporary vacancies; elections. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a vacancy in an elective office occurs as a result of expiration of the term of an incumbent and a successor has not been determined due to the pendency of a recount or an appeal from a recount determination, no election or special election may be ordered or held to fill the temporary vacancy. If the law provides for the vacancy to be temporarily filled by appointment, the appointee shall serve until a successor qualifies.
17.285 History
History: 1983 a. 484.
17.29
17.29
Effect of chapter. The provisions of this chapter supersede all contrary provisions in either the general law or in special acts, except
ch. 7 relating to election officers appointed for the election wards or polling places in the state and
ch. 21 relating to the military staff of the governor and to officers of the Wisconsin national guard; and shall govern all offices whether created by general law or special act, unless otherwise specially provided.
17.29 History
History: 1971 c. 304 s.
29 (2).
