Wisconsin
Wisconsin Elections Commission approves third-party candidates for the ballot

RFK Jr. drops out of presidential race, endorses Donald Trump
Kennedy’s decision came amid speculation that he’s looking to be involved in a second Trump administration.
A day after the state Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to remove Green Party candidate Jill Stein from the ballot in Wisconsin, the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission confirmed she will appear on November ballots in the battleground state.
The commission on Tuesday also kept independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on the ballot, though he has suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed former President Donald Trump. While he has tried to remove his name from the ballot in battleground states, Wisconsin law does not allow for Kennedy to retract his nomination at this point.
Wisconsin election commissioners also approved independent candidate Cornel West for the ballot after rejecting a challenge that argued his declarations of candidacy were not properly filed due to notarization issues. A Democratic National Committee employee filed that challenge, and another against Stein.
More: How Democrats are seeking to block 3rd party candidates from Wisconsin’s ballot
In the latest Marquette University Law School poll released in early August and before Kennedy dropped out, Vice President Kamala Harris had a two-point lead over Trump when third-party candidates were factored in. Polling for Kennedy has declined to 8% from double digits earlier in the year, and other third-party candidates are polling at 1% or less in Wisconsin.
Here’s what to know about WEC’s action, and why third-party candidates will appear on the ballot in Wisconsin.
Will Jill Stein be on the ballot in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin Elections Commission approved Stein for the ballot on Tuesday. Back in February, the commission cleared the way for allowing candidates from the Green Party to appear on Wisconsin’s ballot.
On Monday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court also declined to hear a challenge to Stein’s inclusion on the ballot. But WEC chairwoman Ann Jacobs anticipated there would be further lawsuits over the inclusion of the Green Party on the ballot.
“This is a big win against the anti-Democratic Party’s war on democracy and voter choice,” Stein said in a statement Monday. “The Democrats constantly preach about ‘saving democracy,’ when in reality they’ve been doing everything they can to crush democracy by trying to remove the Green Party and others from the ballot.”
The Republican Party of Wisconsin also viewed the court’s decision as a win. “If Democrats hope to win over voters, they will have to do so through earnest persuasion instead of disqualification,” state party chairman Brian Schimming said in a statement.
Will RFK Jr. be on the ballot in Wisconsin?
Kennedy’s name will remain on Wisconsin’s ballot, though he is no longer running for president as an independent and has thrown his support behind Trump. That means votes could still be cast for him in Wisconsin.
After his exit from the race, Kennedy has moved to remove his name from ballots in several battleground states, such as Arizona, where he believes his “presence would be a spoiler.” Kennedy also filed that request with Wisconsin election commissioners.
But Wisconsin law says that anyone who files nomination papers and qualifies to appear on the ballot — which Kennedy did — cannot decline nomination. That person will appear on the ballot “except in case of death of the person.”
Multiple commissioners raised questions about Kennedy’s request and noted the ballot had not yet been set — it was the point of the meeting. But the commission voted 5-1 to keep Kennedy on the ballot, with Republican appointee Bob Spindell casting the only “no” vote.
Don Millis, a Republican appointee to the commission, said the statute was “troubling for me.”
“Before we set the ballot, it seems to me that it makes sense to allow a candidate to withdraw, and that’s what I’m struggling with,” Millis said.
But other commissioners said there was no room for discretion with the statute. “The only way he gets to not be on the ballot is to up and die, which I’m assuming he has no plans on doing,” Jacobs said. “The statute is absolutely clear on this.”
“I think we got to follow the law on this. We get sued enough. This one is clearly an invitation to get sued again,” Mark Thomsen, a Democratic appointee to the commission, said.
More: What to know about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s bid to get on Wisconsin’s presidential ballot
Will Cornel West be on the ballot in Wisconsin?
The commission also approved independent candidate Cornel West to appear on Wisconsin’s ballot.
Earlier in the meeting, the commission heard a challenge to his inclusion on the ballot related to his and running mate Melina Abdullah’s declarations of candidacy and disputes over notarizing the documents.
WEC commissioners rejected that challenge 5-1, with Jacobs casting the only “no” vote and explaining she thought West should appear on the ballot but not Abdullah due to notary issues with her forms.
West’s candidacy was boosted in Wisconsin by Trump allies who believe third-party candidates could help the former president’s chances in November. Four individuals employed at a Republican-aligned political canvasing firm worked as circulators to gather signatures in support of West in Wisconsin, USA TODAY reported.
More: Cornel West boosted by Trump allies to get name on Wisconsin ballot
Who are the presidential candidates on the Wisconsin ballot?
After the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s actions Tuesday, the following presidential and vice presidential names will appear on the ballot in the Nov. 5 election:
Major party candidates
- Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz, Democratic party
- Donald J. Trump and JD Vance, Republican party
- Randall Terry and Stephen Broden, Constitution party
- Chase Russell Oliver and Mike ter Maat, Libertarian party
- Jill Stein and Butch Ware, Wisconsin Green party
Independent candidates
- Cornel West and Melina Abdullah, Justice For All party
- Claudia De la Cruz and Karina Garcia, Party for Socialism and Liberation
- Robert F. Kennedy and Nicole Shanahan, We The People party
President Joe Biden was able to be replaced on the ballot after dropping out of the presidential race in July, because the deadline to place him on the ballot had not yet passed. The deadline for parties to certify their candidates’ names with WEC is Sept. 3.
Some voters in Wisconsin will receive ballots with the names soon: The deadline for clerks to send absentee ballots to voters with requests on file is Sept. 19.
More: The deadline has not passed in Wisconsin to replace Biden on the ballot. Here’s why.
What do polls show about third-party candidates in Wisconsin?
In the Marquette University Law School poll released earlier this month, Kennedy stood at 8% among registered voters, a drop from 13% and 16% in earlier months. Stein polled at 1% in that poll, and West at less than 0.5%. Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver also polled at 1%.
Poll director Charles Franklin this week noted more Republicans than Democrats supported Kennedy and said Kennedy’s decision to endorse Trump would “probably” bring those Republicans back behind the former president.
The survey earlier this month found 21% of independents support Kennedy, Franklin noted, and the tendencies of third-party voters are difficult to predict.
“We find that they don’t go 100% to sort of their natural affinity group,” Franklin said of Kennedy voters potentially supporting Trump. “And part of that is because the reason they’re voting for Kennedy in the first place is they don’t like Donald Trump. If they liked Donald Trump, they would have been voting for him to begin with.”
“Some of them will drop out,” Franklin said. “Some of them might switch to another third-party candidate, some might not vote at all because, as a group, they’re pretty disaffected with government.”
Franklin added of the third-party influence in Wisconsin: “Bottom line is I’m not expecting a big shift.” He said Stein and West’s presence on the ballot would likely draw votes from Harris.
Stein last appeared on Wisconsin’s ballot in 2016, receiving more than 31,000 votes in Wisconsin, which many believe could have helped Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. A couple thousand votes can determine elections in battleground Wisconsin: In 2020, Biden won the state by just over 20,000 votes, similar to Trump’s margin over Clinton four years earlier.
Franklin plans to put a new poll into the field on Wednesday without Kennedy’s name mentioned in the multi-candidate race.
He said the poll would ask a separate question about support for Kennedy if he had remained in the race.
“It’s complicated when somebody has said he’s no longer a candidate but his name is still there,” Franklin said.

Wisconsin
Universities of Wisconsin enrollment up, record increase of freshmen enrolled

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The Universities of Wisconsin announced Wednesday that enrollment is up for the third straight year thanks to a record number of freshmen enrolling in the system.
Enrollment across the universities for Fall 2025 topped out at 164,626 students, an increase of 190 students from Fall 2024.
This year’s enrollment numbers mark the first time enrollment has increased three years in a row since 2010.
The universities experienced a 5.5% increase, or 1,033 students, in Wisconsin resident new freshmen, and nine of the 13 universities experienced a jump in enrollment numbers.
“This is a moment worth celebrating,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman. “Three years of sustained growth shows that students and families see the Universities of Wisconsin as a smart investment in themselves and in Wisconsin’s future. It will help Wisconsin win the war for talent.”
For the increase, Rothman credits the Direct Admit Wisconsin program and the 2025 Wisconsin Tuition Promise. These programs, funded through the universities and Ascendium, helped show a 9% enrollment increase at seven participating universities.
“Direct Admit Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Tuition Promise have opened doors for more students across the state,” Rothman explained. “These initiatives are driving broad-based growth that reflects our commitment to serving all Wisconsinites.”
Overall enrollment numbers were slowed by a decline of 7.6% in international students.
Data shows UW-Madison has the most students, with 51,481 enrolled for the Fall 2025 semester. UW Superior is the smallest, with 2,872 enrolled students.
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Copyright 2025 WMTV. All rights reserved.
Wisconsin
22-year-old college student Zachary Roper runs for Wisconsin governor

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The youngest candidate in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race is a 22-year-old college student who says he wants to represent people tired of career politicians.
Zachary Roper, a political science major at Carthage College, is running for governor after an unsuccessful bid for Assembly in 2024. He says his professors encouraged him to seek the state’s top executive position.
Vanessa Kjeldsen: Why do you want to be governor?
Zachary Roper: I want to be governor because I want to represent the people of Wisconsin. I feel that the people have just had career politicians their entire life and we really need to get new leadership in the office.
VK: What would be your top priority as governor?
ZR: I have kind of two top priorities, but the top one would be education. I want to get more money into the schools… And then the other one is bipartisanship. We need to work together with the other side, reach across the aisle.
VK: You are the youngest candidate in this race. What perspective does that bring?
ZR: It brings a new perspective. I think many people overlook me for being a 22-year-old college student but it brings a new perspective to the young people.
VK: You previously ran unsuccessfully for Assembly. Now you’re running for the top executive position in this state. Why not run for something smaller first?
ZR: I have been asked that a lot, actually. I’ve been asked that numerous amount of times. My opponent, when I lost in 2024, actually said, you know, maybe run for city council. But my professors at the end of last year, sat me down and said, you have a vision for the state that most others do not at this time. We think you should try running for governor.
VK: So it was your professors at college that inspired you to run?
ZR: Yes, it was.
VK: How is balancing campaign season with your college classes?
ZR: It’s actually quite fun. My professors think it’s like a fun thing, though. They sometimes call me out. They’re like, hey, Zach, you know, you can use this for your campaign. I’m like, oh, I’ll think about it. I’ll think about it.
VK: What specifically would you change from the Evers administration?
ZR: The Evers administration has been focusing too hard on what Republicans want to do… The Republicans have controlled the new budget, and that to me was not a good thing.
VK: It is a Republican-controlled legislature. That makes it difficult for budget negotiations for a Democratic governor. How would you have worked through that differently than Evers did?
ZR: I would have asked them what concessions can they give. And if they came back to me with a list of concessions that they can give, I can come back with the concessions I can give.
VK: Do you expect to stay in the primary through August? Or is there a time that you would maybe drop out, endorse another Democrat?
ZR: I have thought about maybe dropping out and endorsing another candidate… I just haven’t seen a candidate that really stands out to me at this point.
VK: What’s your dream job?
ZR: Dream job? President, aiming for the top, as my parents always say.
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Copyright 2025 WMTV. All rights reserved.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Oct. 20, 2025
Manuel Franco claims his $768 million Powerball jackpot
Manuel Franco, 24, of West Allis was revealed Tuesday as the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Oct. 20, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Oct. 20 drawing
32-38-66-67-69, Powerball: 19, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Oct. 20 drawing
Midday: 0-2-9
Evening: 6-0-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Oct. 20 drawing
Midday: 5-7-7-8
Evening: 9-3-8-5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from Oct. 20 drawing
Midday: 01-05-07-09-13-15-16-17-18-20-21
Evening: 04-05-08-09-10-13-14-16-17-20-21
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from Oct. 20 drawing
01-02-09-14-31
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from Oct. 20 drawing
05-08-14-20-22-24, Doubler: N
Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
- Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
- Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?
No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.
When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
- Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **
WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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