Milwaukee County Sheriff
November 3, 2026 · Milwaukee County, Wisconsin · County · general
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Low · 0 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 926,331 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(926,331 ÷ 926,331) ÷ ln(926,331 ÷ 4,252) = 0, comparing counties in WI (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: None · only 1 candidate
One candidate is running unopposed, so votes can't change the outcome.
Low representation + an uncontested race → Very low vote impact.
Sheriff is responsible for:
- Running the county's law-enforcement department, including deputies and patrols
- Running the county jail
- Serving court orders, such as evictions and warrants
- Providing courthouse security in many counties
Affected Areas: Immigration, Public Safety and Crime Control, Gun Control, Data Privacy, Civil Rights
Candidates
Denita R. Ball
Democratic · Incumbent · declared
Dr. Denita R. Ball is Milwaukee County Sheriff and the certified Democratic candidate for reelection in 2026. Elected in 2022 after appointment as acting sheriff, she previously served as the county's chief deputy sheriff and spent 25 years with the Milwaukee Police Department, retiring as deputy inspector. Her current work and campaign emphasize jail education and recovery programming, public safety, recruiting and retention, and mental-health and wellness resources for staff and people in custody.
Records: Civil Rights 5 for, Data Privacy 1 for, Public Safety and Crime Control 6 for
Election sources
Source: county.milwaukee.gov
Source: county.milwaukee.gov
Source: county.milwaukee.gov