Sheriff
August 11, 2026 · Dane County, Wisconsin · County · primary
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 · 8 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 572,674 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(926,331 ÷ 572,674) ÷ ln(926,331 ÷ 4,252) = 8.93, comparing counties in WI (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Low representation + unknown decisiveness → Below average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
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
Jack W. Ordman
Democratic · declared
Jack W. Ordman is a Madison software developer and civilian candidate for Dane County Sheriff. He entered the 2026 race after the April 18 Ridglan Farms protest and states that he has no prior political experience or law-enforcement background.
Kalvin D. Barrett
Democratic · Incumbent · declared
Kalvin D. Barrett is the 53rd Sheriff of Dane County, appointed in 2021 and elected in 2022 as the county's first Black sheriff. He previously worked as a Dane County deputy, police officer, educator, and criminal-justice professor and holds degrees in sociology and criminal justice.
Election sources
Source: elections.danecounty.gov
Source: elections.danecounty.gov