SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) - While elections for local offices won’t be decided until early April, there are only six days left for people to get their names on area ballots. A number of county, city, village, town and school board spots are up for election in a few months.
One of the biggest elections in the area is for the Sheboygan County Board, as County Administrator Adam Payne says all 25 seats are up for elections. “Every two years they’re up for election. Right now is when people can take out papers. They have to collect 50 signatures and provide those back to the county clerk’s office by early January.”
The specific date for nomination papers is by the end of the business day, January 5.
Payne has noticed over his 15-plus years with the county government that there are not that many competitive elections for county board seats, which surprises him. "I’ve often wondered why is that because you’re working with such a diverse organization, programs and services from A to Z, a 125-million dollar operating budget.”
After taking time to ponder this, he says he came up with two reasons for this. “One, our county board has an excellent track record. They’re doing good work, and when you’re making good things happen you’re not going to see a lot of competition.”
The other reason Payne came up with deals with the anxiousness for people wanting to serve in an elected office, not just challenging a current county board member. “Some people just are uncomfortable stepping into that ring and putting yourself out there. It takes a commitment, it takes real thoughtful dedication to your community, and again you’re putting yourself out there.”
No matter what competitive races happen in a few months, Payne says he will be ready to work with whoever is on the county board. “We’ll see what happens, but come April we’ll see a new slate of 25 board members and it may be a similar looking group.”
Depending on who seeks placement on ballots, local election primaries will be held February 16 to narrow the field if need be. Otherwise, the spring election for local offices will be held April 5, which is also the same day for the state's presidential primary.