Voters head to polls Tuesday for State Partisan Primary election

Wisconsin voters head to the polls Tuesday, August 11, 2026, for the state’s partisan primary election.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. statewide. The primary will narrow the field for the November 3rd general election, when Wisconsin voters will choose a new governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, members of Congress and state legislators.

The biggest race on Tuesday’s ballot is the Democratic primary for governor.

Four Democrats remain in that race: State Representative Francesca Hong, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, State Senator Kelda Roys and former Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan.

Hong has emerged as the frontrunner in the final weeks of the campaign.

Crowley entered the final stretch with the endorsement of outgoing Governor Tony Evers, who is not seeking another term. Crowley had previously left the governor’s race before returning after Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez suspended her campaign.

On the Republican side, Trump endorsed Congressman Tom Tiffany is seeking the GOP nomination and faces Republican Air Force veteran Frank Kostka.

For voters in the Fond du Lac County area, Tuesday’s election also includes two particularly important contested races.

Sixth Congressional District Republican Congressman Glenn Grothman is seeking another term, but two Democrats — Amanda Bell and Brad Smith — are competing in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. The winner will advance to the November election to face Grothman.

The Sixth District includes Fond du Lac County as well as portions of several surrounding counties.

There is also a Republican primary for Wisconsin’s 37th Assembly District.

Incumbent Republican Representative Mark Born is being challenged by Steve Rydzewski. The winner will face Democrat LaToya Bates in November.

The 37th Assembly District includes the City of Waupun and the towns of Waupun, Oakfield and Byron in Fond du Lac County, along with portions of Dodge and Columbia counties.

Several other Fond du Lac County legislative races are already set for November.

In Assembly District 39, Republican incumbent Alex Dallman will face Democrat Michael Skivington.

In Assembly District 59, Republican Bradley Petersen will face Democrat Jack Holzman.

And in Assembly District 60, which includes the City of Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac and surrounding townships, Republican Marty Ryan will face Independent Tiffany Brault.

The Fond du Lac County sheriff’s race is also scheduled for the November ballot, however Incumbent Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt, whose seeking a third term, is running unopposed and will advance right to the November general election. Waldschmidt was first elected sheriff in 2018 and took office in January 2019.

Wisconsin’s primary system is partisan, meaning voters may participate in only one party’s primary on Tuesday. Wisconsin does not require voters to register by political party, so voters can choose which party’s ballot they want when they vote.

Voters who are not already registered can register at their polling place on Election Day, but they will need proof of residence. Wisconsin voters are also required to show an acceptable photo ID when voting.

Fond du Lac County voters can check their individual ballot, registration status and polling location through the Wisconsin MyVote system on the website myvote.wi.gov.