West Bend, Wisconsin Public Records

Online registration is available up to 20 days before an election, though voters can also register in person on Election Day at their polling place with proof of residence. Acceptable documents include a Wisconsin driver's license, state ID, utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or any government document showing current name and address. Municipal elections in West Bend take place during the spring of odd-numbered years for mayor, Common Council seats, and other city offices. The mayor serves a four-year term, with the next mayoral election scheduled for April 2027. Common Council members serve staggered terms as well. Candidate information, sample ballots, and local ballot measures can be found through the City Clerk's office at West Bend City Hall (262-335-5080) or the Washington County Clerk. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the MyVote.wi.gov Polling Place Finder tool, which requires entering a residential address and returns the specific location, sample ballot, and election officials contact information. Wisconsin law makes numerous election records publicly accessible. Voter registration lists can be purchased from the Wisconsin Elections Commission, while campaign finance reports are searchable through the state Ethics Commission website (ethics.wi.gov) for state candidates and Washington County Clerk for local candidates. Candidate nomination papers and declarations are public records, and precinct-level results are published after every election.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for West voters are published by the Wisconsin Elections Commission (https://elections.wi.gov/). State legislative races for Wisconsin State Assembly districts and State Senate seats, depending on the district cycle, will be decided alongside Washington County constitutional offices such as Sheriff, District Attorney, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, and Treasurer - most of which are elected in gubernatorial election years. Local voters will also weigh in on any city referendums, school board positions, and judicial seats. Wisconsin voters can request absentee ballots through MyVote.wi.gov by logging into their voter record or by submitting a written request to their municipal clerk (the Washington County Clerk for most West Bend residents). Absentee ballots can be mailed to voters or picked up in person and must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Simply being postmarked by Election Day isn't sufficient - ballots must be received by 8 PM either by mail or delivered in person to the municipal clerk's office or polling place. Wisconsin requires no excuse for absentee voting; any registered voter may vote absentee.