Dane County Clerk

04/23/2026

The Trump administration has undermined election security and public confidence in elections, officials including our own Clerk Scott McDonell, told PBS. He highlighted the drop in public confidence in elections due to rampant conspiracy theories: "The point [is] to make people doubt who's won, not trust the system and that's really damaging."

After Democrats won an election in Virginia to redraw congressional maps in their favor, President Trump called it, without evidence, a “rigged election” and “travesty of justice.” It’s the latest example of Trump casting doubt on the U.S. election process. Liz Landers reports on political...

04/08/2026

Thanks to all who made this election a success! It's a community wide effort.

Madison and Dane County election officials said the spring election went smoothly, with only minor logistical issues to report.

04/08/2026

Looking for election results? Check the Dane County website here:

2026 Spring Election

04/07/2026

Still have your absentee ballot? It is too late to return it by mail, but you can still make your vote count!

Consider the following options:
· Drop it off at your polling place or local clerk's office by 8 p.m.
· If available, place in a secure drop box by the posted time

04/07/2026

If you're heading to the polls today for the Spring Election, you can show your regular driver license or ID. A federally compliant REAL ID is not necessary.

04/07/2026

In case you have not returned your absentee ballot yet.

Still have your absentee ballot? It is too late to return it by mail, but you can still make your vote count!

Consider the following options:
· Drop it off at your polling place or local clerk's office by 8 p.m.
· If available, place in a secure drop box by the posted time

04/07/2026

“It’s just an empty threat,” said Scott McDonell, the clerk of Dane County, Wisconsin, adding that his attorneys had told him not to even worry about it. “The courts will strike it down faster than a cheetah on meth,” he said.

https://www.votebeat.org/national/2026/03/31/donald-trump-2026-midterm-election-executive-order-absentee-mail-ballots-postal-service-citizenship-list/

04/07/2026

Keep sharing this -- photo ID is required to vote in Wisconsin.

04/07/2026

For today’s Spring Election, voters in Dane County will choose representatives for a range of local seats, including on Madison’s City Council and School Board, County Board, and Circuit Court.

Voters will elect a new Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, Dane County Board, Madison City Council and School Board members, plus a Circuit Court judge.

04/07/2026

“Any federal bills that are being proposed or other measures that might be proposed at the federal level — none of those are in place. And so when voters head to the polls on April 7, they should know that nothing has changed. The same processes that you’ve used to vote in the last number of years are still in place."

– Meagan Wolfe, Wisconsin Elections Commission administrator, on Tuesday's Election

Polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. for the Wisconsin 2026 spring election. Voters will decide a Supreme Court race and hundreds of local races.

04/07/2026

Polls are open across the state, including Dane County, now and stay open until everyone in line by 8 pm has had the opportunity to vote. It's time to perform your civic duty!

04/06/2026

Trump's recent attempt to influence voting via executive order will not impact on tomorrow's election.

"There's nothing federal on this ballot, so they have absolutely no say over our local elections, and the president has no say over elections period. That's clear as day in the Constitution," McDonell said.

MADISON, Wis. — Tuesday's election comes on the heels of an executive order from President Donald Trump.