This post originally appeared at https://badgerbubbler.com/news/eliminate-carpetbagging
Why do we have so many different residency requirements for people running for office in Wisconsin? Don’t you think we could simplify the requirements to eliminate any confusion, especially at the local level, which are statutes and not constitutionally mandated?
My suggestion would be to require all candidates to live in the district they are wanting to represent before they start circulating nomination papers. It would help eliminate the carpetbaggers who “want to serve the district.”
The following are copied from the WEC website.
FEDERAL OFFICES
US Senate – 30 year of age, a citizen of the United States for 9 years and an inhabitant of the state at the time of the election. Article I, Section 3, U.S. Constitution.
US Congress – 25 years of age, a citizen of the United States for 7 years and an inhabitant of the state at time of election. Article I, Section 2, U. S. Constitution.
STATE OFFICES
Governor & Lt. Governor – A qualified elector of the state at the time of taking office. Article V, Section 2, Wis. Constitution.
State Senator and Representative to the Assembly – A resident for one year within the state and a qualified elector of the district at the time of taking office. Article IV, Section 6, Wis. Constitution. 65 Atty. Gen. 165.Sup
Supreme Court Justice, Appeals Court Judge, Circuit Court Judge – Licensed to practice law in Wisconsin for 5 years immediately prior to the election and a qualified elector of the state, district, or circuit at time of election. Article VII, Sections 7, 10, 24, Wis. Constitution
District Attorney -Licensed to practice law in Wisconsin and a resident of the prosecutorial unit (county) at the time of taking office. Wis. Stat. § 978.02.
LOCAL OFFICES
County Supervisor and other County Offices – Qualified elector of district at the time of filing nomination papers. Wis. Stat. § 59.20(1).
Alderman – A qualified elector of the city and, if aldermanic district, a qualified elector* of the district and actually residing in the district at the time of election. Wis. Stat. §.62.09(2)(a).
Other City Offices – A qualified elector of the city and an actual resident of the city at the time of election. Wis. Stat. § 62.09(2)(a).
Village office: A qualified elector and an actual resident of the village at the time of election. Wis. Stat. § 61.19
Town office: A qualified elector and an actual resident of the town at the time of election. Wis. Stat. § 61.19
School Board Member:
At-Large Office: A qualified elector of the school district at the time of filing a Declaration of Candidacy. Wis. Stat. §§ 120.06(2), (6)(b)2.
Representative of an Apportioned Area: A qualified elector of the school district at the time of filing a Declaration of Candidacy and a resident of the apportioned area at the time of taking office (4th Monday in April). Wis. Stat. §§ 120.05(1)(d), 120.06(2), (4).