Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (a) was amended eff. 7-1-03 by
2001 Wis. Act 109 to read as shown below. Act 109, s. 9115, provided that if any treatments by Act 109 listed in s. 9115, including the treatment of this provision, was held to be unconstitutional by a court, then all of the listed treatments are void. The United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in Wisconsin Realtors Assoc. v. Ponto,
233 F. Supp. 2d 1078 (2002), found the treatment of certain listed provisions unconstitutional, rendering the treatment of this provision void.
Effective date text
(a) For purposes of application of subs. (1), (1m), (2), (2m), (9), (9m), and (10), the "campaign" of a candidate begins and ends at the times specified in this subsection.
11.26(17)(b)
(b) In the case of a candidate who has not been a candidate in a previous election for which he or she continues to be registered under
s. 11.05, the "campaign" of the candidate begins when the candidate or the candidate's personal campaign committee is required to file a registration statement with the appropriate filing officer.
11.26(17)(c)
(c) In the case of a candidate who has been a candidate in a previous election for which he or she continues to be registered under
s. 11.05, the "campaign" of the candidate begins on the day after the closing date for the period covered by the first financial report filed by or on behalf of the candidate subsequent to the date of the previous election, or if the candidate has incurred obligations from a previous campaign, the date on which the candidate receives sufficient contributions to retire those obligations, whichever is later, except that the "campaign" of a candidate at a special election begins when the candidate or the candidate's personal campaign committee is required to file or change the information on a registration statement as a result of the candidacy.
11.26(17)(d)
(d) In the case of any candidate at the spring primary or election or the September primary or general election, the "campaign" of the candidate ends on June 30 or December 31 following the date on which the election or primary is held in which the candidate is elected or defeated, or the date on which the candidate receives sufficient contributions to retire any obligations incurred in connection with that contest, whichever is later. In the case of any candidate at a special primary or election, the "campaign" of the candidate ends on the last day of the month following the month in which the primary or election is held in which the candidate is elected or defeated, or the date on which the candidate receives sufficient contributions to retire any obligations incurred in connection with that contest, whichever is later.
11.26(17)(e)
(e) The campaign of a candidate in a future election who has incurred obligations from a previous campaign may begin before the candidate receives sufficient contributions to retire all obligations incurred in connection with the previous campaign, but may not begin before the day after the closing date for the period covered by the first financial report filed by or on behalf of the candidate subsequent to the date of the previous election except as provided for a special election under
par. (c).
11.26(17)(f)
(f) Notwithstanding
pars. (b) to
(d), contributions for inaugural expenses paid by a candidate, personal campaign committee or support committee authorized under
s. 11.05 (3) (p) from a campaign depository account are subject to the limitations of this section, but the registrant paying the expenses may elect to charge the contributions to a present or possible future campaign of the individual in connection with whose inauguration the expenses are paid.
11.26 Note
NOTE: 1985 Wis. Act 303, s.
1, states legislative intent regarding political party and legislative campaign committees' independent expenditures.
11.26 Annotation
Sub. (9) (a) does not violate the first amendment or equal protection; it is narrowly tailored to accomplish a legislative goal while allowing significant political expression. Gard v. State Elections Board,
156 Wis. 2d 28,
456 N.W.2d 809 (1990).
11.26 Annotation
The constitutionality of various provisions is discussed. 65 Atty. Gen. 237.
11.265
11.265
Legislative campaign committees. 11.265(1)
(1) No more than one legislative campaign committee may be established by the members of one political party in each house of the legislature.
11.265(2)
(2) A legislative campaign committee may accept no contributions and make no contributions or disbursements exceeding the amounts authorized for a political party under this chapter.
11.265(3)
(3) Amounts contributed by a legislative campaign committee to a political party are not subject to limitation by this chapter.
Effective date note
NOTE: This section was repealed eff. 7-1-03 by
2001 Wis. Act 109. Act 109, s. 9115, provided that if any treatments by Act 109 listed in s. 9115, including the treatment of this provision, was held to be unconstitutional by a court, then all of the listed treatments are void. The United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in Wisconsin Realtors Assoc. v. Ponto,
233 F. Supp. 2d 1078 (2002), found the treatment of certain listed provisions unconstitutional, rendering the treatment of this provision void.
11.27
11.27
False reports and statements. 11.27(1)
(1) No person may prepare or submit a false report or statement to a filing officer under this chapter.
11.27(2)
(2) In civil actions under this chapter, the acts of every member of a personal campaign committee are presumed to be with the knowledge and approval of the candidate, until it has been clearly proved that the candidate did not have knowledge of and approve the same.
11.27 History
History: 1973 c. 334;
1979 c. 328.
11.29
11.29
Communications for political purposes. 11.29(1)(1) Nothing in this chapter restricts any corporation, cooperative or voluntary association other than a political party or personal campaign committee from making disbursements for the purpose of communicating only with its members, shareholders or subscribers to the exclusion of all other persons, with respect to endorsements of candidates, positions on a referendum or explanation of its views or interests, without reporting such activity. No such corporation, cooperative or voluntary association may solicit contributions from persons who are not members, shareholders or subscribers to be used for such purposes.
11.29(2)
(2) Notwithstanding
s. 11.12 (1), a political party committee may make single communications to its members at periodic intervals with respect to an explanation of its views or interests, a position on a referendum to be submitted to the voters, or endorsement of an entire slate of candidates at any jurisdictional level or levels. Such activity shall be reported by the party committee.
11.29(3)
(3) No communications medium may be utilized for communications authorized under this section unless the medium is restricted solely to members, shareholders or subscribers.
11.29(4)
(4) For purposes of this section, the members of a local or regional cooperative are deemed to be members of a state cooperative if the local or regional cooperative is a member of the state cooperative.
11.30
11.30
Attribution of political contributions, disbursements and communications. 11.30(1)
(1) No disbursement may be made or obligation incurred anonymously, and no contribution or disbursement may be made or obligation incurred in a fictitious name or by one person or organization in the name of another for any political purpose.
11.30(2)(a)(a) The source of every printed advertisement, billboard, handbill, sample ballot, television or radio advertisement or other communication which is paid for by or through any contribution, disbursement or incurred obligation shall clearly appear thereon. This paragraph does not apply to communications for which reporting is not required under
s. 11.06 (2).
11.30(2)(b)
(b) Every such communication the cost of which is paid for or reimbursed by a committee or group, or for which a committee or group assumes responsibility, whether by the acceptance of a contribution or by the making of a disbursement, shall be identified by the words "Paid for by" followed by the name of the committee or group making the payment or reimbursement or assuming responsibility for the communication and the name of the treasurer or other authorized agent of such committee or group.
11.30(2)(c)
(c) Every such communication which is directly paid for or reimbursed by an individual, including a candidate without a personal campaign committee who is serving as his or her own treasurer, or for which an individual assumes responsibility, whether by the acceptance of a contribution or by the making of a disbursement, shall be identified by the words "Paid for by" followed by the name of the candidate or other individual making the payment or reimbursement or assuming responsibility for the communication. No abbreviation may be used in identifying the name of a committee or group under this paragraph.
11.30(2)(d)
(d) In addition to the requirements of
pars. (a) to
(c), a committee or individual required to file an oath under
s. 11.06 (7) shall also in every communication in support of or in opposition to any clearly identified candidate or candidates include the words "Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's agent or committee".
11.30(2)(e)
(e) Communications under this section by a personal campaign committee may identify the committee or any bona fide subcommittee thereof.
11.30(2)(em)
(em) The source of each printed advertisement, billboard, handbill, paid television or radio advertisement or other communication made for the purpose of influencing the recall from or retention in office of an individual holding a state or local office shall clearly appear thereon in the manner prescribed in
pars. (b) and
(c).
11.30(2)(f)
(f) This subsection does not apply to the preparation and transmittal of personal correspondence or the production, wearing or display of a single personal item which is not reproduced or manufactured by machine or other equipment for sale or distribution to more than one individual.
11.30(2)(fm)
(fm) This subsection does not apply to communications printed on pins, buttons, pens, balloons, nail files and similar small items on which the information required by this subsection cannot be conveniently printed. The board may, by rule, specify small items not mentioned in this paragraph to which this subsection shall not apply.
11.30(2)(g)
(g) This subsection does not apply to nonadvertising material contained in a regularly published newsletter by an organization which is expressing its political views with respect to elections which are of concern to its membership, provided that distribution of such newsletter is restricted to such membership.
11.30(2)(h)
(h) Notwithstanding
par. (a), the attributions required by this subsection in written communications shall be readable, legible and readily accessible.
11.30(2)(hm)
(hm) Notwithstanding
pars. (a) to
(c), any communication making a solicitation on behalf of more than one candidate for a joint fund raising effort or program pursuant to an escrow agreement under
s. 11.16 (5) may omit the names of the candidates or personal campaign committees assuming responsibility for the communication if the communication discloses that a joint fund raising effort or program is being conducted on behalf of named candidates.
11.30(2)(i)
(i) No person may publish or disseminate, or cause to be published or disseminated any communication in violation of this subsection. A communications medium which in good faith relies on the representations of any person who places an advertisement with such medium as to the applicability of this subsection to such person does not violate this paragraph as a result of publication or dissemination of that advertisement based on such representations, provided that the representations are reasonable.
11.30(3)(a)(a) This subsection applies to the following persons who own any financial interest in a newspaper or periodical circulating in this state or in any radio or television station located in this state:
11.30(3)(a)1.
1. Every person occupying any office or position with an annual compensation over $300, under the constitution or laws of the United States or of this state or under an ordinance of any municipality of this state.
11.30(3)(a)2.
2. Every candidate or member of any committee or group under this chapter.
11.30(3)(b)
(b) Any person named in
par. (a) is guilty of a violation of this chapter unless, before using the communications medium for political purposes other than as provided for in
sub. (2), there is filed with the board a verified declaration specifically stating the communications medium in which the person has financial interest or over which the person has control and the exact nature and extent of the interest or control.
11.30(4)
(4) No owner or other person with a financial interest in a communications medium may utilize such medium in support of or in opposition to a candidate or referendum except as provided in this chapter. This chapter shall not be construed to restrict fair coverage of bona fide news stories, interviews with candidates and other politically active individuals, editorial comment or endorsement. Such activities need not be reported as a contribution or disbursement.
11.30(5)
(5) Whenever any person receives payment from another person, in cash or in-kind, for the direct or indirect cost of conducting a poll concerning support or opposition to a candidate, political party or referendum, the person conducting the poll shall, upon request of any person who is polled, disclose the name and address of the person making payment for the poll and, in the case of a registrant under
s. 11.05, the name of the treasurer of the person making payment.
11.31
11.31
Disbursement levels and limitations; calculation. 11.31(1)(1)
Schedule. The following levels of disbursements are established with reference to the candidates listed below. Except as provided in
sub. (2), such levels do not operate to restrict the total amount of disbursements which are made or authorized to be made by any candidate in any primary or other election.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (1)(intro.) was amended eff. 7-1-03 by
2001 Wis. Act 109 to read as shown below. Act 109, s. 9115, provided that if any treatments by Act 109 listed in s. 9115, including the treatment of this provision, was held to be unconstitutional by a court, then all of the listed treatments are void. The United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in Wisconsin Realtors Assoc. v. Ponto,
233 F. Supp. 2d 1078 (2002), found the treatment of certain listed provisions unconstitutional, rendering the treatment of this provision void.
Effective date text
(1) Schedule. The following levels of disbursements are established with reference to the candidates listed below. The levels are subject to adjustment under sub. (9). Except as provided in sub. (2), such levels do not operate to restrict the total amount of disbursements which are made or authorized to be made by any candidate in any primary or other election.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (a) was amended eff. 7-1-03 by
2001 Wis. Act 109 to read as shown below. Act 109, s. 9115, provided that if any treatments by Act 109 listed in s. 9115, including the treatment of this provision, was held to be unconstitutional by a court, then all of the listed treatments are void. The United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in Wisconsin Realtors Assoc. v. Ponto,
233 F. Supp. 2d 1078 (2002), found the treatment of certain listed provisions unconstitutional, rendering the treatment of this provision void.
Effective date text
(a) Candidates for governor, $2,000,000.
11.31(1)(b)
(b) Candidates for lieutenant governor, $323,475.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (b) was amended eff. 7-1-03 by
2001 Wis. Act 109 to read as shown below. Act 109, s. 9115, provided that if any treatments by Act 109 listed in s. 9115, including the treatment of this provision, was held to be unconstitutional by a court, then all of the listed treatments are void. The United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in Wisconsin Realtors Assoc. v. Ponto,
233 F. Supp. 2d 1078 (2002), found the treatment of certain listed provisions unconstitutional, rendering the treatment of this provision void.
Effective date text
(b) Candidates for lieutenant governor, $500,000.
11.31(1)(c)
(c) Candidates for attorney general, $539,000.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (c) was amended eff. 7-1-03 by
2001 Wis. Act 109 to read as shown below. Act 109, s. 9115, provided that if any treatments by Act 109 listed in s. 9115, including the treatment of this provision, was held to be unconstitutional by a court, then all of the listed treatments are void. The United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in Wisconsin Realtors Assoc. v. Ponto,
233 F. Supp. 2d 1078 (2002), found the treatment of certain listed provisions unconstitutional, rendering the treatment of this provision void.
Effective date text
(c) Candidates for attorney general, $700,000.
11.31(1)(d)
(d) Candidates for secretary of state, state treasurer, justice or state superintendent, $215,625.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (d) was amended eff. 7-1-03 by
2001 Wis. Act 109 to read as shown below. Act 109, s. 9115, provided that if any treatments by Act 109 listed in s. 9115, including the treatment of this provision, was held to be unconstitutional by a court, then all of the listed treatments are void. The United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in Wisconsin Realtors Assoc. v. Ponto,
233 F. Supp. 2d 1078 (2002), found the treatment of certain listed provisions unconstitutional, rendering the treatment of this provision void.
Effective date text
(d) Candidates for secretary of state, state treasurer or state superintendent, $250,000.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (de) was created eff. 7-1-03 by
2001 Wis. Act 109. Act 109, s. 9115, provided that if any treatments by Act 109 listed in s. 9115, including the treatment of this provision, was held to be unconstitutional by a court, then all of the listed treatments are void. The United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in Wisconsin Realtors Assoc. v. Ponto,
233 F. Supp. 2d 1078 (2002), found the treatment of certain listed provisions unconstitutional, rendering the treatment of this provision void.
11.31(1)(dm)
(dm) Candidates for court of appeals judge, $86,250.
11.31(1)(e)
(e) Candidates for state senator, $34,500 total in the primary and election, with disbursements not exceeding $21,575 for either the primary or the election.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (e) was amended eff. 7-1-03 by
2001 Wis. Act 109 to read as shown below. Act 109, s. 9115, provided that if any treatments by Act 109 listed in s. 9115, including the treatment of this provision, was held to be unconstitutional by a court, then all of the listed treatments are void. The United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in Wisconsin Realtors Assoc. v. Ponto,
233 F. Supp. 2d 1078 (2002), found the treatment of certain listed provisions unconstitutional, rendering the treatment of this provision void.
Effective date text
(e) Candidates for state senator, $100,000 total in the primary and election, with disbursements not exceeding $72,000 for either the primary or the election.
11.31(1)(f)
(f) Candidates for representative to the assembly, $17,250 total in the primary and election, with disbursements not exceeding $10,775 for either the primary or the election.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (f) was amended eff. 7-1-03 by
2001 Wis. Act 109 to read as shown below. Act 109, s. 9115, provided that if any treatments by Act 109 listed in s. 9115, including the treatment of this provision, was held to be unconstitutional by a court, then all of the listed treatments are void. The United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in Wisconsin Realtors Assoc. v. Ponto,
233 F. Supp. 2d 1078 (2002), found the treatment of certain listed provisions unconstitutional, rendering the treatment of this provision void.
Effective date text
(f) Candidates for representative to the assembly, $50,000 total in the primary and election, with disbursements not exceeding $36,000 for either the primary or the election.
11.31(1)(fs)
(fs) Candidates for district attorney in any prosecutorial unit with a population of 500,000 or less, $86,250.
11.31(1)(g)
(g) In any jurisdiction or district, other than a judicial district or circuit, with a population of 500,000 or more according to the most recent federal census covering the entire jurisdiction or district:
11.31(1)(g)2.
2. Candidates for any countywide elective office not specified in
par. (dm) or
(fm) or
subd. 1., $107,825.
11.31(1)(g)3.
3. For the following offices in cities of the 1st class:
