The State Elections Board was created under section 15.61, Wisconsin Statutes, in July 1974, at the time the Legislature enacted a comprehensive campaign finance disclosure law, Chapter 334, Laws of 1973.

The Board consisted of eight citizen members appointed by the Governor for two-year terms beginning on May 1 of odd-numbered years. In addition to the Governor's selection, one member each is designated by the Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly, the Senate Majority Leader, the Senate Minority Leader, the Assembly Minority Leader and the chief officer of each political party whose candidate for governor received at least ten percent of the vote cast in the most recent gubernatorial election.

The Elections Board was empowered with the responsibility of administering and enforcing the state's election and campaign finance laws. s.5.05, Wis. Stats.

It was phased out in 2007 Wisconsin Act 1, along with the State Ethics Board.  The staffs of the two boards were combined to form the staff of the Government Accountability Board on January 10, 2008.