MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin is not the only state where the unemployment rate went up last month.

The Labor Department said Friday that the jobless rates for August rose in 26 states, went down in 12 others, and were unchanged in the other 12.

Wisconsin’s rate went up two-tenths of a percent to 7.5 %. That was below the national rate of 8.1%. That was down two-tenths from July, but officials said it was only because many people gave up looking for jobs.

The federal and state governments only count people as unemployed if they’re actively looking for work.

Jobless rates jumped in all but four of the 11 battleground states in this year’s presidential election.

Wisconsin gained 4,300 private sector jobs and 3,500 public sector positions, after a revised loss of 6,500 jobs in July.