LRB-3130/1
JTK:mfd:arm
1997 - 1998 LEGISLATURE
June 12, 1997 - Introduced by Representatives Owens, Kaufert, Olsen and
Seratti, cosponsored by Senators Ellis, A. Lasee and Roessler. Referred to
Joint committee on Finance.
AB425,1,2
1An Act relating to: the expenditure of $2,087 from the general fund for payment
2of a claim against the state made by Winnebago County.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill directs expenditure of $2,087 from the general fund in payment of a
claim made by Winnebago County against the state. Under s. 5.72 (1), stats., county
and municipal clerks and boards of election commissioners preparing ballots are
directed to submit copies of the ballots, or proof copies, to the state elections board
for review of possible errors. The board is directed to notify the clerk or board of
election commissioners of any errors that it discovers within 7 days after submittal.
At the 1988 general election, the Winnebago County clerk either did not submit
ballots or proof copies or did not request review of its ballots or proofs. On October
12, 1988, the state elections board issued an order finding that the county's ballots
for the 1988 general election did not comply with s. 5.64 (3), stats., which requires
a separate presidential ballot, or with s. 5.64 (1) (a) and (3) (a), stats., which requires
specific voting instructions in plain, legible type, and requires ballot titles to appear
in lettering at least three-eighths inch high. The elections board ordered the county
to reprint its ballots for the city of Neenah. The county incurred costs of $2,087 for
ballots that were destroyed as a result of the order of the elections board and claimed
this amount. On February 5, 1990, when the claims board recommended approval
of a similar claim by Milwaukee County, the board recommended payment of claims
from other similarly affected counties, upon submission of appropriate
documentation from those counties. See 1989 Senate Journal, pp. 683-684.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB425, s. 1
1Section
1. Claim against the state. There is directed to be expended from the
2appropriation under section 20.505 (4) (d) of the statutes, as affected by the acts of
31997, $2,087 in payment of a claim against the state made by Winnebago County to
4compensate the county for the cost of reprinting ballots for the 1988 general election
5that were found by the state elections board to be out of conformity with state law.
6Acceptance of this payment releases this state and its officers, employes and agents
7from any further liability with respect to the county's defective ballots for the 1988
8general election.
