How are votes counted and certified in Wisconsin?

County boards of canvassers receive results from municipal clerks, develop county-wide totals, and certify them. County boards convene by 9 a.m. on November 10, 2026. They must complete their canvass and deliver certified statements to the Wisconsin Elections Commission by November 17, 2026, no later than 14 days after the election.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission canvasses the statewide results and the chair must certify them by December 1, 2026. The Commission issues each winner a certificate under its seal, plus certificates addressed to the U.S. House. In practice the chair signs alone. Certificates issue only after the recount-petition window closes.

A recount is available when the margin is 1 percent or less of the total votes cast. A petition must be filed within three business days after the relevant board of canvassers' final meeting. The Elections Commission must declare recount results by its December 1 certification deadline for a November general election. Recount results can be appealed to circuit court within five days after the recount ends. Wisconsin has no separate contest procedure.

Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Requests for absentee ballots by mail or online must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday October 29, 2026. In-person absentee voting can start no earlier than Tuesday October 20 and end no later than Sunday November 1, 2026, with hours set by each municipality.