Wisconsin Will Elect New Secretary of State

Voters will head to the polls on November 3 to choose a successor following a long tenure in the office.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Elections

Wisconsin Will Elect New Secretary of State

Live Poll

Do you trust an appointed commission more than an elected official to oversee your local elections?

Wisconsin voters will select a new secretary of state on November 3, 2026. The candidates running for the position are Jay Schroeder, JoCasta Zamarripa, and Pete Karas.

Why it matters

The race follows Sarah Godlewski leaving the role to run for lieutenant governor, marking a shift after Doug La Follette held the seat for 44 years. Candidates are campaigning on whether to maintain or reform the office, including proposals to oversee state elections.

The Wisconsin Secretary of State chairs the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, which oversees a $1.4 billion school trust fund. Voters will head to the polls for the election on November 3, 2026.

The players

Jay Schroeder

He is a candidate for Wisconsin Secretary of State who plans to advocate for the office to oversee state elections.

JoCasta Zamarripa

She is a candidate for Wisconsin Secretary of State who plans to advocate for election officials and restoring former responsibilities to the office.

Pete Karas

He is a candidate for Wisconsin Secretary of State.

Sarah Godlewski

She is the former officeholder who is leaving the position to pursue a campaign for lieutenant governor.

Wisconsin Elections Commission

This body oversees state elections and consists of three Republican and three Democratic appointees.

The details

The secretary of state is responsible for authenticating foreign documents and managing land board duties, though candidates are now debating the expansion of election oversight. This focus comes after human error affected Milwaukee County ballot counting during the August 11 primary.

August 11, 2026: Human error occurred in Milwaukee County ballot counting.
November 3, 2026: Voters select the next secretary of state.

Political Context

The race highlights ongoing concerns regarding the Wisconsin Elections Commission structure and its reliance on a board of three Republican and three Democratic appointees. Critics argue this partisan parity creates administrative stalemates during periods of high-stakes election disputes.

The election will determine who manages critical administrative duties, including the authentication of foreign documents and the oversight of the state's school trust fund. These administrative shifts could influence local election management protocols and the future powers of the secretary of state's office.

The takeaway

Voters should review the distinct platforms of the candidates regarding potential changes to election oversight authority. The outcome of this race will shape the administrative landscape for the next four years in Wisconsin.