County Clerk’s notice regarding use of stickers for write-in candidates on election ballots
Kenosha County Clerk Regi Waligora is reminding voters and candidates that the use of stickers on ballots is not authorized under Wisconsin law and poses significant risks to the proper functioning of election equipment.
Wisconsin statute does not explicitly permit voters to place stickers on ballots. While Wis. Stat. § 5.51(4) states that “no stickers may be placed on a ballot by election officials except under s. 7.37(6),” this exception applies only in the rare circumstance where a candidate dies after ballots have been printed. The suggested use of stickers by candidates or campaigns is not covered under § 7.37(6).
The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC), in its Election Law and Administration in Wisconsin Manual for Statutory Requirements and Best Practice, First Edition (June 2026), provides the following clarification:
“Generally, no. State law prohibits election officials from attaching any type of sticker to a ballot. The only exception is under the circumstance where a vacancy occurs because a candidate has died after his or her name has been printed on the ballot. Wis. Stat. §§ 5.51(4), 7.37(6). To the Commission’s knowledge, this has never occurred.
“The Commission is aware that some write-in candidates prepare stickers for their voters to attach to ballots. State law does not prohibit a voter from affixing a sticker to their ballot, but neither does it permit it. Stickers can cause automatic tabulators to jam or otherwise stop functioning, so the Commission strongly discourages their use.”
Waligora said Kenosha County’s election equipment vendor also warns against the use of stickers or labels on ballots, noting that any change in the thickness of the paper can lead to jams, misreads, or complete stoppages of ballot tabulators.
“If a sticker detaches inside the equipment, municipalities may be forced to halt machine tabulation and transition to hand counting for the remainder of Election Day,” Waligora said. This could significantly delay reporting of results and place substantial strain on election workers.”
These risks pose challenges to maintaining orderly, timely, and accurate election operations, Waligora added. While voters are not expressly prohibited from affixing stickers, neither statute nor administrative guidance authorizes the practice, and both state election officials and equipment experts strongly discourage it.
In light of statutory limitations, administrative guidance, and risks to tabulation accuracy and equipment integrity Waligora advises that stickers should not be distributed, encouraged, or used on ballots under any circumstances. Write-in candidates should be entered by hand to ensure accuracy, equipment safety, and compliance with election day procedures.
For questions regarding ballot procedures or election guidance, voters and candidates are advised to contact their municipal clerk or the County Clerk’s office.
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