Blue Book

Published biennially, the Wisconsin Blue Book is a valuable source for information about the State of Wisconsin. First published in 1853 as a manual for legislators, the Blue Book has evolved into a useful tool for the state’s residents, as well as a historical record of Wisconsin state government. The Blue Book’s mission is to furnish the legislature and the public with information on state officers and governmental organization, along with statistical information and articles of general interest.

Introductory pages, table of contents

1: ELECTED OFFICIALS

State executive officers, state supreme court, congressional delegation

State legislature

2: UNITS OF STATE GOVERNMENT

The legislature

The executive

The judiciary

3: ABOUT WISCONSIN

Feature article: Going Global

Elections in Wisconsin

Local government in Wisconsin

Public education in Wisconsin

The legislature and the state budget

Significant enactments of the 2023 Legislature

Significant Wisconsin court decisions, 2022–2024

2025–2026 BLUE BOOK FEATURE ARTICLE

GOING GLOBAL

Wisconsin's sister states

In 1964, Governor John Reynolds forged Wisconsin’s first sister-state agreement with Nicaragua. Later, the state entered into similar partnerships with Hessen (Germany), Heilongjiang (Peoples’ Republic of China), Taiwan, Chiba (Japan), and Jalisco (Mexico). The 2025–2026 Wisconsin Blue Book feature article tells the story of these international connections, which created authentic and enduring connections between Wisconsinites and their sister-state partners.