WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/01/2010) - Today is the first day for Wisconsin candidates and supporters to legally circulate nomination papers, marking the official start of the Fall 2010 campaign season. Many candidates planning to run in the November 2, 2010 election have been organizing their campaigns and raising money for months, but now is the time to get serious. If you are thinking about entering a race to win a seat in state government, the Government Accountability Board (GAB) office is the place to find out what you legally need to do and when you need to do it.

"With such a large number of legislative incumbents deciding not to seek re-election, there will likely be many more newcomers entering the campaign", said Kevin J. Kennedy, director and general counsel of the G.A.B.

"Our agency is here to help candidates understand how to get on the ballot," Kennedy pointed out.

"We are also available to help them understand the rules to ensure that Wisconsin has some of this country’s cleanest, most transparent elections,” Kennedy added.

The first step for candidates – if they have not already done so – is to register their committees with GAB.

"Candidates must register with the G.A.B. as soon as they form the intent to run for office," said Jonathan Becker, the Ethics & Accountability Division administrator.

"Our web-based Campaign Finance Information System (cfis.wi.gov) allows candidates to register and report online, reducing paperwork and ensuring quick public access to the information," Becker explained.

Nomination papers and declaration of candidacy forms are all available on the G.A.B.’s new agency web site, which is being launched today at http://gab.wi.gov.

"Candidates can download all the necessary forms from our new web site," said Nat Robinson, Elections Division administrator.

"If candidates have questions, they should call our Help Desk at (608) 261-2028 to speak with an elections specialist," Robinson continued.

The new site combines the formerly separate Elections and Ethics divisions’ sites into one, easy-to-use site, and includes a section (gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/candidates) giving guidance to potential candidates about what forms they need to file, and when they need to file.

The deadline for candidates to file their nomination papers and declarations of candidacy is 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 13.

By 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 16, all candidates for state office also must file a Statement of Economic Interests with the Government Accountability Board.

County candidates for partisan offices of Sheriff, Coroner and Circuit Clerk of Courts also must file necessary papers with the County Clerk by the 5 p.m. deadline on July 13.