(g) Prior to any discontinuance of the service provided to a military elector under this subsection solely for failure to return absentee ballots, the municipal clerk shall mail the elector a 1st class letter or postcard notifying the elector that an absentee ballot will no longer be sent to the elector unless the elector renews his or her request within 30 days of the date of the notification.
(h) The municipal clerk shall notify a military elector of any action under par. (f) that is not taken at the elector's request within 5 days of taking that action, if possible.
451,17
Section
17. 6.22 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.22 (5) Voting procedure. Except as provided in s. 6.221 and as authorized in s. 6.25, the ballot shall be marked and returned, deposited and recorded in the same manner as other absentee ballots. In addition, the certification under s. 6.87 (2) shall have a statement of the elector's birth date. Failure to return any unused ballots in a primary election does not invalidate the ballot on which the elector casts his or her votes.
451,18g
Section 18g. 6.22 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.22 (6) Military elector list. Each municipal clerk shall keep an up-to-date list of all eligible local military electors who reside in the municipality; city clerks shall keep the lists by wards. The list shall contain the name, latest-known military residence and military mailing address of each military elector. The list shall indicate whether each elector whose name appears on the list is a military elector, as defined in s. 6.36 (2) (c), and has so certified under s. 6.865 (3m). All persons over 18 years of age or who will be 18 years old prior to an election shall be listed and remain on the list for the duration of their tour of duty. The list shall be kept current through all possible means. Each clerk shall exercise reasonable care to avoid duplication of names or listing anyone who is not eligible to vote. Each clerk shall distribute 2 copies of the list to the appropriate ward in the municipality for use on election day.
451,18r
Section 18r. 6.221 of the statutes is created to read:
6.221 Counting of absentee ballots for certain military electors; September primary and general election. (1) In this section, "military elector" has the meaning given in s. 6.36 (2) (c) and active duty status for any election is determined as of election day.
(2) Each certificate envelope that is mailed or transmitted to a military elector under this section shall be clearly labeled as "Cast by a military elector under s. 6.221, Wis. Stats., and may be eligible to be counted after election day."
(3) (a) At the September primary, a ballot that is cast under s. 6.22 by an elector who is a military elector, that is received by mail from the U. S. postal service, and that is postmarked no later than election day shall be counted as provided in this section if it is received by a municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on the 7th day after the election.
(b) At the general election, a ballot that is cast under s. 6.22 by an elector who is a military elector, that is received by mail from the U.S. postal service, and that is postmarked no later than election day shall be counted as provided in this section if it is received by a municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on the 10th day after the election.
(4) For purposes of sub. (3), if a certificate envelope is not postmarked or has a postmark that is not legible to the board of canvassers, and the envelope was received by mail from the U.S. postal service in the manner and within the period prescribed in sub. (3), it is presumed that the envelope was placed in the mail on or before election day, unless established by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary.
(5) No later than the closing hour of the polls on the day of the September primary and the day of the general election, the municipal clerk of each municipality shall post at his or her office and on the Internet at a site announced by the clerk before the polls open, and shall make available to any person upon request, a statement of the number of absentee ballots that the clerk has mailed or transmitted to military electors under this section and that have not been returned to the polling places where the electors reside by the closing hour on election day. The posting shall not include the names or addresses of any military electors.
(6) (a) Whenever the municipal clerk of any municipality receives an absentee ballot cast by an elector who is a military elector under this section and the ballot is not received in sufficient time for delivery to the polling place serving the residence of the elector on election day but is received within the time specified in sub. (3), the clerk shall promptly provide written notice to the board of canvassers of each municipality, special purpose district, and county that is responsible for canvassing the election of the number of such ballots that have been cast received by the clerk in each ward or election district.
(b) Whenever a board of canvassers receives notification from a municipal clerk under par. (a), the board of canvassers shall reconvene no later than 9 a.m. on the day after the last day permitted for acceptance of absentee ballots under sub. (3) and shall proceed to open and record the names of the military electors whose ballots have been received. If the ballot cast by a military elector is otherwise valid, the board of canvassers shall count the ballot and adjust the statements, certifications, and determinations accordingly. If the municipal clerk transmits returns of the election to the county clerk, the municipal clerk shall transmit to the county clerk a copy of the amended returns together with all additional ballots and envelopes reviewed by the board of canvassers and with amended tally sheets.
451,19
Section
19. 6.24 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.24 (4) (d) An overseas elector who is not registered may request both a registration form and an absentee ballot at the same time, and the municipal clerk shall send the ballot automatically if the registration form is received within the time prescribed in s. 6.28 (1). The board shall prescribe a special certificate form for the envelope in which the absentee ballot for overseas electors is contained, which shall be substantially similar to that provided under s. 6.87 (2). Notwithstanding s. 6.87 (4), an An overseas elector shall make and subscribe to the special certificate form before a witness who is an adult U.S. citizen.
451,20
Section
20. 6.24 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.24 (6) Instructions and handling. The municipal clerk shall send a ballot, as soon as available, to each overseas elector by whom a request has been made. The board shall prescribe the instructions for marking and returning ballots and the municipal clerk shall enclose such instructions with each ballot. The envelope, return envelope and instructions may not contain the name of any candidate appearing on the enclosed ballots other than that of the municipal clerk affixed in the fulfillment of his or her duties. Except as authorized in s. 6.87 (3), the municipal clerk shall mail the material postage prepaid to any place in the world. The, with sufficient postage to ensure that the elector receives the ballot, unless the material qualifies for mailing free of postage under federal free postage laws. If the return envelope qualifies for mailing free of postage under federal free postage laws, the clerk shall affix the appropriate legend required by U.S. postal regulations. Otherwise, the municipal clerk shall pay the postage required for return when the ballot is mailed from within the United States. If the ballot is not mailed by the overseas elector from within the United States, the overseas elector shall provide return postage.
451,24
Section
24. 6.26 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.26 (2) (c) No individual may serve as a special registration deputy in a municipality unless the individual is appointed by the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality or the individual is appointed by the elections board to serve all municipalities and the individual completes training required under s. 7.315.
451,25
Section
25. 6.26 (2) (cm) of the statutes is created to read:
6.26 (2) (cm) The board and each municipal clerk shall maintain a record of the names and addresses of each individual who is appointed by the board or the clerk to serve as a special registration deputy under this section and who has complied with the training requirements for service as a special registration deputy under s. 7.315 (1) (b) 1.
451,26
Section
26. 6.26 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.26 (3) The board shall, by rule, prescribe procedures for appointment of special registration deputies, for revocation of appointments of special registration deputies, and for training of special registration deputies by municipal clerks and boards of election commissioners. The procedures shall be coordinated with training programs for special registration deputies conducted by municipal clerks under s. 7.315 and shall be formulated to promote increased registration of electors consistent with the needs of municipal clerks and boards of election commissioners to efficiently administer the registration process.
451,27
Section
27. 6.26 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
6.26 (4) Each special registration deputy under this section who obtains a registration form from an elector shall print his or her name on and sign the form, affirming that the deputy has accepted the form.
451,28
Section
28. 6.275 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.275 (1) (c) The total number of electors of the municipality residing in that county who registered after the close of registration and prior to the day of the primary or election under ss. 6.28 (1), 6.29
, and 6.86 (3) (a) 2.
451,29
Section
29. 6.276 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.276 (1) In this section, "military elector" and "overseas elector" have the meanings given in s. 6.36 (2) (c) 6.34 (1).
451,30
Section
30. 6.28 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.28 (1) Registration locations; deadline. Except as authorized in ss. 6.29, 6.55 (2), and 6.86 (3) (a) 2., registration in person for any election shall close at 5 p.m. on the 2nd 3rd Wednesday preceding the election. Registrations made by mail under s. 6.30 (4) must be delivered to the office of the municipal clerk or postmarked no later than the 2nd Wednesday 3rd Wednesday preceding the election. An application for registration in person or by mail may be accepted for placement on the registration list after the specified deadline, if the municipal clerk determines that the registration list can be revised to incorporate the registration in time for the election. All applications for registration corrections and additions may be made throughout the year at the office of the city board of election commissioners, at the office of the municipal clerk, at the office of any register of deeds at the office of the county clerk, or at other locations provided by the board of election commissioners or the common council in cities over 500,000 population or by either or both the municipal clerk, or the common council, village or town board in all other municipalities and may also be made during the school year at any high school by qualified persons under sub. (2) (a). Other registration locations may include but are not limited to fire houses, police stations, public libraries, institutions of higher education, supermarkets, community centers, plants and factories, banks, savings and loan associations and savings banks. Special registration deputies shall be appointed for all locations each location unless the location can be sufficiently staffed by the board of election commissioners or the municipal clerk or his or her deputies. An elector who wishes to obtain a confidential listing under s. 6.47 (2) shall register at the office of the municipal clerk of the municipality where the elector resides.
451,31
Section
31. 6.28 (3) of the statutes is repealed.
451,32
Section
32. 6.28 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
6.28 (4) At the office of the county clerk. Any person shall be given an opportunity to register to vote at the office of the county clerk for the county in which the person's residence is located. An applicant may complete the required registration form under s. 6.33. Unless the county clerk performs registration functions for the municipality where the elector resides under s. 6.33 (5) (b), the county clerk shall forward the form submitted by an elector to the appropriate municipal clerk, or to the board of election commissioners in cities over 500,000 population within 5 days of receipt. The clerk shall forward the form immediately whenever registration closes within 5 days of receipt.
451,33
Section
33
. 6.29 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.29 (1) No names may be added to a registration list for any election after the close of registration, except as authorized under this section or s. 6.28 (1), 6.55 (2), or 6.86 (3) (a) 2. Any person whose name is not on the registration list but who is otherwise a qualified elector is entitled to vote at the election upon compliance with this section.
451,34
Section
34. 6.29 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.29 (2) (a) Any qualified elector of a municipality who has not previously filed a registration form or whose name does not appear on the registration list of the municipality may register after the close of registration but not later than 5 p.m. or the close of business, whichever is later, on the day before an election at the office of the municipal clerk and at the office of the clerk's agent if the clerk delegates responsibility for electronic maintenance of the registration list to an agent under s. 6.33 (5) (b). The elector shall complete, in the manner provided under s. 6.33 (2), a registration form containing all information required under s. 6.33 (1). The registration form shall also contain the following certification: "I, ...., hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, I am a qualified elector, having resided at ... for at least 10 days immediately preceding this election, and I have not voted at this election". The elector shall also provide acceptable proof of residence under s. 6.55 (7) 6.34. Alternatively, if the elector is unable to provide acceptable proof of residence under s. 6.55 (7) 6.34, the information contained in the registration form shall be corroborated in a statement that is signed by any other elector of the municipality and that contains the current street address of the corroborating elector. The corroborating elector shall then provide acceptable proof of residence under s. 6.55 (7) 6.34. If the elector is registering after the close of registration for the general election and the elector presents a valid driver's license issued by another state, the municipal clerk or agent shall record on a separate list the name and address of the elector, the name of the state, and the license number and expiration date of the license.
451,35
Section
35. 6.29 (2) (am) of the statutes is created to read:
6.29 (2) (am) The board shall provide to each municipal clerk a list prepared for use at each municipal clerk's office showing the name and address of each person whose name appears on the list provided by the department of corrections under s. 301.03 (20) as ineligible to vote on the date of the election, whose address is located in the municipality, and whose name does not appear on the registration list for that municipality. Prior to permitting an elector to register to vote under this subsection, the municipal clerk shall review the list. If the name of an elector who wishes to register to vote appears on the list, the municipal clerk shall inform the elector that the elector is ineligible to register to vote. If the elector maintains that he or she is eligible to vote in the election, the municipal clerk shall permit the elector to register to vote but shall mark the elector's registration form as "ineligible to vote per Department of Corrections." If the elector wishes to vote, the municipal clerk shall challenge the elector's ballot in the same manner as provided for inspectors who challenge ballots under s. 6.79 (2) (dm).
451,36
Section
36. 6.29 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.29 (2) (b) Unless the municipal clerk determines that the registration list will be revised to incorporate the registration in time for the election, upon Upon the filing of the registration form required by this section, the municipal clerk or clerk's agent under s. 6.33 (5) (b) shall issue a certificate containing the name and address of the elector addressed to the inspectors of the proper ward or election district directing that the elector be permitted to cast his or her vote if the elector complies with all requirements for voting at the polling place. The certificate shall be numbered serially, prepared in duplicate and one copy preserved in the office of the municipal clerk.
451,37
Section
37. 6.32 (title), (1) and (4) of the statutes are amended to read:
6.32 (title) Verification of mail certain registrations. (1) Upon receipt of a registration form
which that is submitted by mail under s. 6.30 (4) or that is submitted by a special registration deputy appointed under s. 6.26, the municipal clerk shall examine the form for sufficiency.
(4) If the form is sufficient to accomplish registration and the clerk has no reliable information to indicate that the proposed elector is not qualified, the clerk shall enter the elector's name on the registration list and transmit a 1st class letter or postcard to the registrant, specifying the elector's ward or aldermanic district, or both, if any, and polling place. The letter or postcard shall be sent within 10 days of receipt of the form. If the letter or postcard is returned, or if the clerk is informed of a different address than the one specified by the elector, the clerk shall change the status of the elector on the list from eligible to ineligible. The letter or postcard shall be marked in accordance with postal regulations to ensure that it will be returned to the clerk if the elector does not reside at the address given on the letter or postcard.
6.33 (1) The municipal clerk shall supply sufficient registration forms as prescribed by the board shall prescribe the format, size, and shape of registration forms. All forms shall be printed on loose-leaf sheets or cards and each item of information shall be of uniform font size, as prescribed by the board. The municipal clerk shall supply sufficient form to meet voter registration needs. The forms shall be designed to obtain from each applicant information as to name; date; residence location; citizenship; date of birth; age; the number of a valid operator's license issued to the elector under ch. 343 or the last 4 digits of the elector's social security account number; whether the applicant has resided within the ward or election district for at least 10 days; whether the applicant has lost his or her right to vote; been convicted of a felony for which he or she has not been pardoned, and if so, whether the applicant is incarcerated, or on parole, probation, or extended supervision; whether the applicant is disqualified on any other ground from voting; and whether the applicant is currently registered to vote at any other location. The forms form shall also provide include a space for the applicant's signature and
the signature of any corroborating elector. The form shall include a space to enter the name of any special registration deputy under s. 6.26 or 6.55 (6) or inspector, municipal clerk, or deputy clerk under s. 6.55 (2) who obtains the form and a space for the deputy, inspector, clerk, or deputy clerk to sign his or her name, affirming that the deputy, inspector, clerk, or deputy clerk has accepted the form. The form shall include a space for entry of the ward and aldermanic district, if any, where the elector resides and any other information required to determine the offices and referenda for which the elector is certified to vote. The forms form shall also include a space where the clerk may record an indication of whether the form is received by mail, a space where the clerk may record an indication of the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence under s. 6.34, whenever required, and a space where the clerk, for any applicant who possesses a valid voting identification card issued to the person under s. 6.47 (3), may record the identification serial number appearing on the voting identification card. Each register of deeds shall obtain sufficient registration forms at the expense of the unit of government by which he or she is employed for completion by any elector who desires to register to vote at the office of the register of deeds under s. 6.28 (3). Each county clerk shall obtain sufficient registration forms for completion by an elector who desires to register to vote at the office of the county clerk under s. 6.28 (4).
6.33 (2) (a) All information may be recorded by any person, except that the ward and aldermanic district, if any, other geographic information under sub. (1), the indication of whether the registration is received by mail, the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence under s. 6.34, whenever required, and any information relating to an applicant's voting identification card shall be recorded by the clerk. Each applicant shall sign his or her own name unless the applicant is unable to sign his or her name due to physical disability. In such case, the applicant may authorize another elector to sign the form on his or her behalf. If the applicant so authorizes, the elector signing the form shall attest to a statement that the application is made upon request and by authorization of a named elector who is unable to sign the form due to physical disability.
451,40
Section
40
. 6.34 of the statutes is created to read:
6.34 Proof of residence required.
(2) Except as authorized in ss. 6.29 (2) (a) and 6.86 (3) (a) 2., upon completion of a registration form prescribed under s. 6.33, each elector who is required to register under s. 6.27, who is not a military elector or an overseas elector and who registers after the close of registration under s. 6.29 or 6.86 (3) (a) 2., shall provide an identifying document that establishes proof of residence under sub. (3). Each elector who is required to register under s. 6.27 who is not a military elector or an overseas elector who registers by mail, and who has not voted in an election in this state shall, if voting in person, provide an identifying document that establishes proof of residence under sub. (3) or, if voting by absentee ballot, provide a copy of an identifying document that establishes proof of residence under sub. (3). If the elector registered by mail, the identifying document may not be a residential lease.
(3) (a) An identifying document used to establish proof of an elector's residence under sub. (2) shall contain the information required under par. (b) and is limited to one of the following:
1. A current and valid operator's license issued under ch. 343.
2. A current and valid identification card issued under s. 343.50.
3. Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
4. An official identification card or license issued by an employer in the normal course of business that contains a photograph of the cardholder or license holder, but not including a business card.
5. A real property tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.
6. Except as provided in sub. (2), a residential lease.
7. A university, college, or technical college fee or identification card that contains a photograph of the cardholder. A card under this subdivision that does not contain the information specified in par. (b) shall be considered proof of residence if the university, college, or technical college that issued the card provides a certified and current list of students who reside in housing sponsored by the university, college, or technical college to the municipal clerk prior to the election showing the current address of the students and if the municipal clerk, special registration deputy, or inspector verifies that the student presenting the card is included on the list.
8. A utility bill for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before the day registration is made.
9. A bank statement.
10. A paycheck.
11. A check or other document issued by a unit of government.
(b) The identifying documents prescribed in par. (a) shall contain all of the following in order to be considered proof of residence:
1. A current and complete name, including both the given and family name.
2. A current and complete residential address, including a numbered street address, if any, and the name of a municipality.
(c) Identifying documents specified in par. (a) which are valid for use during a specified period must be valid on the day that an elector makes application for registration in order to constitute proof of residence.
451,41
Section
41. 6.36 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.36 (1) (a) The board shall compile and maintain electronically an official registration list. The list shall contain the name and address of each registered elector in the state, the date of birth of the elector, the ward and aldermanic district of the elector, if any, and, for each elector, a unique registration identification number assigned by the board, the number of a valid operator's license issued to the elector under ch. 343, if any, or the last 4 digits of the elector's social security account number, if any, any identification serial number issued to the elector under s. 6.47 (3), the date of any election in which the elector votes, an indication of whether the elector is a military elector, as defined in sub. (2) (c), who has so certified under s. 6.865 (3m), an indication of whether the elector is an overseas elector, as defined in s. 6.24 (1), any information relating to the elector that appears on the current list transmitted to the board by the department of corrections under s. 301.03 (20), an indication of any accommodation required under s. 5.25 (4) (a) to permit voting by the elector, an indication of the method by which the elector's registration form was received, and such other information as may be determined by the board to facilitate administration of elector registration requirements.
6.36 (2) (a) Except as provided in pars. par. (b) and (c), each registration list prepared for use as a poll list at a polling place or for purposes of canvassing absentee ballots at an election shall contain the full name and address of each registered elector; a blank column for the entry of the serial number of the electors when they vote; if the list is prepared for use at an election for national office, an indication next to the name of each elector for whom identification is required under par. (c) 2. or the poll list number used by the municipal board of absentee ballot canvassers in canvassing absentee ballots; an indication next to the name of each elector for whom proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required; and a form of certificate bearing the certification of the executive director of the board stating that the list is a true and complete registration list of the municipality or the ward or wards for which the list is prepared.
451,43
Section
43. 6.36 (2) (c) 1. (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 6.34 (1) (intro.) and amended to read:
6.34 (1) (intro.) In this paragraph
section:
451,44
Section
44. 6.36 (2) (c) 1. a. and b. of the statutes are renumbered 6.34 (1) (a) and (b).
6.36 (2) (c) If the registration list is prepared for use at an election for national office, the The list shall contain, next to the name of each elector, an indication of whether identification proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required for the elector to be permitted to vote. Identification Proof of residence is required if the elector is not a military elector or an overseas elector and the elector registers by mail and has not previously voted in an election for national office in this state.
451,46
Section
46. 6.36 (5) of the statutes is created to read:
6.36 (5) After each general election, the board shall contact the chief election official of each state from which an elector who voted in that election presented a valid driver's license under s. 6.29 (2) (a), 6.55 (2) (b) or (c) 1., or 6.86 (3) (a) 2. for so long as the license remains valid. The board shall inquire whether the holder of the driver's license voted in that election in that state.
451,47
Section
47. 6.36 (6) of the statutes is created to read:
6.36 (6) The board shall establish by rule the fee for obtaining a copy of the official registration list, or a portion of the list. The amount of the fee shall be set, after consultation with county and municipal election officials, at an amount estimated to cover both the cost of reproduction and the cost of maintaining the list at the state and local level. The rules shall require that revenues from fees received be shared between the state and municipalities or their designees under s. 6.33 (5) (b), and shall specify a method for such allocation.
451,48
Section
48. 6.50 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.50 (3) Upon receipt of reliable information that a registered elector has changed his or her residence to a location outside of the municipality, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall notify the elector by mailing a notice by 1st class mail to the elector's registration address stating the source of the information. All municipal departments and agencies receiving information that a registered elector has changed his or her residence shall notify the clerk or board of election commissioners. If the elector no longer resides in the municipality or fails to apply for continuation of registration within 30 days of the date the notice is mailed, the clerk or board of election commissioners shall change the elector's registration from eligible to ineligible status. Upon receipt of reliable information that a registered elector has changed his or her residence within the municipality, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall transfer the elector's registration and mail the elector a notice of the transfer under s. 6.40 (2). This subsection does not restrict the right of an elector to challenge any registration under s. 6.325, 6.48, 6.925 or, 6.93, or 7.52 (5).
451,49
Section
49. 6.55 (2) (a) 1. (form) of the statutes is amended to read:
6.55 (2) (a) 1. (form)
"I, ...., hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, I am a qualified elector, having resided at .... for at least 10 days immediately preceding this election, and that I am not disqualified on any ground from voting, and I have not voted, at this election."
451,50
Section
50. 6.55 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
