Of 410 regular elections in Wisconsin—299 (73%) are uncontested. An uncontested election is one where the number of candidates on the ballot is less than or equal to the number of seats up for election. 

Of the 26 states where Ballotpedia is covering every election on Nov. 5, Wisconsin has the fifth highest rate of uncontested elections. 

There are at least seven office types up for election in Wisconsin this year. 

Clerk and surveyor have the highest rate of uncontested elections at 100%. Elections for the office of district attorney have the next highest uncontested rate at 99%, followed by treasurer at 96%.

U.S. representative and state representative has the highest rate of contested elections at 85%. The next highest contested office type in Wisconsin is U.S. senator and state senator at 71%, followed by register of deeds at 6%.

Wisconsin has a divided government, meaning neither party holds trifecta control. Among states with a divided government, 56% of elections are uncontested and 44% are contested. Those rates for Democratic trifectas are 55% and 45%, respectively. In states with Republican trifectas, 64% of elections are uncontested and 36% are contested.

Through October 2024, Ballotpedia has covered 36,068 elections in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories in 2024 alone. Of that total, 27,164 (75%) were uncontested and 8,904 (25%) were contested. To learn more about this analysis, click here!