Wisconsin, one of the closest states in the nation, holds an open governor's race in 2026, on the ballot November 3, 2026, in a state Donald Trump carried in 2024. There is no U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin this cycle. Here's a nonpartisan guide.
What's on the 2026 ballot in Wisconsin?
The governorship is open, with Democratic incumbent Tony Evers not seeking a third term, an open-seat race in a genuine tipping-point state that has drawn competitive fields in both parties. Below it: all of Wisconsin's U.S. House seats, state executive offices, state legislative races under recently redrawn maps that made more seats competitive, and county and municipal contests. Wisconsin does not elect a U.S. senator in 2026.
What makes Wisconsin a battleground?
Wisconsin is perennially one of the two or three closest states in the country, decided by fractions of a point across recent cycles, with a politically divided map: Democratic Madison and Milwaukee, the competitive suburbs, and Republican rural and exurban regions. Recently redrawn legislative maps put more seats genuinely in play, and an open governor's race with no incumbent raises the stakes across the ballot.
Why turnout decides Wisconsin
In a state this evenly split, a midterm lowering turnout can swing the open governor's race and legislative control alike, and the margins are routinely tiny. Wisconsin's early and mail voting spreads turnout across weeks, and with more competitive legislative seats under the new maps, local mobilization decides an unusual number of down-ballot outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
What's the big race in Wisconsin in 2026?
An open governorship, Democratic incumbent Tony Evers is not seeking a third term, in a tipping-point state, plus all U.S. House seats, state offices, and competitive legislative races under new maps. There's no Senate race in 2026.
Why is Wisconsin a battleground?
It's perennially one of the nation's closest states, decided by fractions of a point, with a divided map, and recently redrawn legislative lines put more seats in play. An open governor's race raises the stakes.
Why does turnout matter in Wisconsin?
Because the state is so evenly split that a midterm's lower turnout can swing the open governor's race and legislative control, and margins are tiny. Weeks of early and mail voting make turnout a sustained operation.
This reflects the cycle as of the date above. Facts drawn from nonpartisan sources including Ballotpedia. Confirm voting details at Vote.org.
Keep reading: Texting for a state legislative race and the 2026 midterms are a turnout election.