AB10: Bill Text

LRB-1032/1

RJM&JTK:wlj:rs

2001 - 2002 LEGISLATURE

2001 Assembly BILL 10

January 16, 2001 - Introduced by Representatives Ladwig, Freese, Krawczyk, McCormick, Starzyk, Albers, Duff, Grothman, Hahn, Hoven, Huebsch, Jeskewitz, Kedzie, Kestell, F. Lasee, M. Lehman, Montgomery, Musser, Nass, Stone, Townsend, Urban, Vrakas, Wade and Ott, cosponsored by Senators Farrow, Cowles, Roessler and Schultz. Referred to Committee on Campaigns and Elections.

AB10,1,7 An Act to repeal 6.30 (1) (title), 6.30 (4), 6.32, 6.54 and 6.56 (5); to renumber and amend 6.24 (3) and 6.30 (1); to amend 6.275 (1) (b), 6.28 (1), 6.28 (3), 6.29 (title), 6.29 (2) (a), 6.29 (2) (b), 6.33 (title), 6.33 (1), 6.33 (2) (a), 6.33 (2) (b), 6.40 (2) (b), 6.50 (10), 6.55 (2) (b), 6.55 (2) (c) 1., 6.55 (2) (c) 2., 6.55 (2) (d), 6.55 (3), 6.55 (7) (c) 1., 6.55 (7) (c) 2., 6.56 (2), 6.79 (1), 6.79 (4) and 7.08 (1) (c); and to create 6.24 (3) (b) of the statutes; relating to: the registration of electors and the determination of eligible electors in certain municipalities on election day.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, voter registration is required in every municipality having a population of more than 5,000. If registration is required, any individual who qualifies as an elector in a ward or election district but who is not registered to vote may do so in person at various locations within the applicable municipality or, provided the envelope is postmarked by the close of registration (the second Wednesday preceding the election), may mail to the appropriate municipal clerk a completed registration form. In addition, current law permits late registration at the municipal clerk's office after the close of registration but before 5 p.m. on the day before the election and permits election day registration in the appropriate ward or election district. An individual who makes a late or election day registration must complete a registration form and a certification of eligibility and must present acceptable proof of residence. Current law also permits any individual whose name does not appear on a registration list for a ward or election district on election day but who claims to be a registered voter in that ward or election district to vote after completing a certification of eligibility and presenting acceptable proof of residence.

If an individual attempting to vote under these late registration or election day procedures is not able to present acceptable proof of residence, as an alternative, current law permits another qualified elector who resides in the same municipality to corroborate the information contained in the individual's registration form or certification. In any municipality where registration is not required, a similar procedure may be followed on election day to determine whether an individual is an eligible elector.

This bill repeals the authority for an individual to utilize corroboration under these late registration or election day procedures. This bill also requires an individual who registers to vote, other than an individual who resides outside of the United States and who qualifies as an "overseas elector" under the law, to present a Wisconsin driver's license or a Wisconsin identification card that was issued to the individual and that contains a photograph of the individual, or a copy of the individual's birth certificate. Current law does not contain this requirement. In addition, this bill repeals the authority for any individual other than the overseas elector to register by mail. This bill has no effect upon military electors.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB10, s. 1 Section 1. 6.24 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 6.24 (3) (a) and amended to read:

AB10,2,9 6.24 (3) (a) If registration is required in the municipality where the overseas elector resided or where the elector's parent resided, the elector shall register on a form prescribed by the board designed to ascertain the elector's qualifications under this section. The form shall be substantially similar to the original form required under s. 6.33 (1), insofar as applicable. Registration shall be accomplished in accordance with s. 6.30 (4) Notwithstanding s. 6.30, the elector is not required to present identification as a prerequisite to registering.

AB10, s. 2 Section 2. 6.24 (3) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB10,3,14 6.24 (3) (b) Notwithstanding s. 6.30, an overseas elector may register by mailing a completed registration form to the office of the appropriate municipal clerk. Upon receipt of a registration form that is submitted under this paragraph, the municipal clerk shall examine the form for sufficiency. If the form is insufficient to accomplish registration, or the clerk knows or has reliable information that the proposed elector is not qualified, the clerk shall notify the proposed elector within 5 days, if possible. 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, and polling place. 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 strike the name of the elector from the list. The letter or postcard shall specify "Address correction requested" or "Do not forward--", and if a postcard, "Return postage guaranteed".

AB10, s. 3 Section 3. 6.275 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB10,3,19 6.275 (1) (b) Where registration applies, the total number of electors of the municipality residing in that county who were preregistered on the deadline specified in s. 6.28 (1), including valid mail registrations under s. 6.24 (3) (b) which are postmarked by that day.

AB10, s. 4 Section 4. 6.28 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB10,4,17 6.28 (1) Registration locations; deadline. Except as authorized in ss. 6.29 and 6.55 (2), registration in person for any election shall close at 5 p.m. on the 2nd 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 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, 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 ; and qualified community-based residential facilities, qualified retirement homes, and nursing homes as defined in s. 6.875 (1). Special registration deputies shall be appointed for all locations. 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.

AB10, s. 5 Section 5. 6.28 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB10,5,2 6.28 (3) At office of register of deeds. Any person who resides in a municipality requiring registration of electors shall be given an opportunity to register to vote at the office of the register of deeds. An applicant may fill out the required The registration form shall be completed as required under s. 6.33. Upon receipt of a completed form, the register of deeds shall forward the form within 5 days to the appropriate municipal clerk, or to the board of election commissioners in cities over 500,000 population. The register of deeds shall forward the form immediately whenever registration closes within 5 days of receipt.

AB10, s. 6 Section 6. 6.29 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB10,5,4 6.29 (title) Late registration in person.

AB10, s. 7 Section 7. 6.29 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB10,5,21 6.29 (2) (a) Any qualified elector of a municipality where registration is required who has not previously filed a registration form or whose name does not appear on the registration list of the municipality shall be entitled to vote at the election if he or she delivers to the municipal clerk a registration form executed by the elector registers at the office of the municipal clerk not later than 5 p.m. of the day before an election. The form shall contain a certification by the elector that all statements are true and correct. Alternatively, if the elector cannot obtain a registration form, the elector may deliver a statement, signed by the elector, containing all of the information required on the registration form. The elector shall present acceptable proof of residence as provided in s. 6.55 (7). If no proof is presented, the registration form or the listing of required information shall be substantiated by one other elector of the municipality, corroborating all the material statements therein. The corroborating elector shall then provide acceptable proof of residence under s. 6.55 (7). The signing of the form by the registering elector and statement by the corroborating elector shall be done in the presence of the municipal clerk or deputy clerk not later than 5 p.m. of the day before an election.

AB10, s. 8 Section 8. 6.29 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB10,6,4 6.29 (2) (b) Upon the filing of the registration form required by registering an elector under this section, the municipal clerk shall issue a certificate addressed to the inspectors of the proper ward directing that the elector be permitted to cast his or her vote, unless the clerk determines that the registration list will be revised to incorporate the registration in time for the election. The certificate shall be numbered serially, prepared in duplicate and one copy preserved in the office of the municipal clerk.

AB10, s. 9 Section 9. 6.30 (1) (title) of the statutes is repealed.

AB10, s. 10 Section 10. 6.30 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 6.30 and amended to read:

AB10,6,13 6.30 Registration applications shall be made in person , except under sub. (4). Each person making a registration application shall present to the clerk, issuing officer, or registration deputy a valid operator's license issued to the person under ch. 343 that contains the photograph of the license holder, or a valid identification card issued to the person under s. 343.50, or a copy of the person's birth certificate. If the identification presented is not acceptable proof of residence under s. 6.55 (7), the person shall also present acceptable proof of residence.

AB10, s. 11 Section 11. 6.30 (4) of the statutes is repealed.

AB10, s. 12 Section 12. 6.32 of the statutes is repealed.

AB10, s. 13 Section 13. 6.33 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB10,6,17 6.33 (title) Registration forms; manner of completing.

AB10, s. 14 Section 14. 6.33 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB10,7,9 6.33 (1) The municipal clerk shall supply sufficient registration forms as prescribed by the board printed on loose-leaf sheets or cards to obtain from each applicant information as to name, date, residence location, citizenship, age, 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, and whether the applicant is currently registered to vote at any other location, and shall provide a space for the applicant's signature. The forms shall also include a space for where the clerk, issuing officer, or registration deputy may record the type of identification serial provided by the applicant and any unique identifying number of any elector who is issued such a number under s. 6.47 (3) contained in that identification. The forms shall also include a space where the clerk, issuing officer, or registration deputy, for any applicant who possesses a valid voting identification card issued to the person under s. 6.47 (3), may record the serial number contained in 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.

AB10, s. 15 Section 15. 6.33 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB10,7,22 6.33 (2) (a) The All information other than information relating to the identification provided by an applicant or relating to an applicant's voting identification card may be recorded by any person, but the . The clerk, issuing officer, or registration deputy shall record all information relating to the identification provided by an applicant or relating to an applicant's voting identification card. 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. Ward and aldermanic district information shall be filled in by the clerk.

AB10, s. 16 Section 16. 6.33 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB10,8,2 6.33 (2) (b) The registration form shall be signed by the registering elector and any corroborating elector under s. 6.29 (2) (a) or 6.55 (2) before the clerk, issuing officer, or registration deputy. The form shall contain a certification by the registering elector that all statements are true and correct.

AB10, s. 17 Section 17. 6.40 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB10,8,16 6.40 (2) (b) In addition to the revision which is required under s. 6.50, municipal clerks may conduct door-to-door and mail registration canvasses at any time. The door-to-door canvass shall consist of both the deletion from the registration list of the names of electors who no longer reside at the address for which they are registered and the addition to the registration list of the names of electors who reside at that address. The mail canvass shall consist of the municipal clerk examining the registration records and canceling the registration of electors after the mailing of notices in accordance with s. 6.50 (1) and (2) or (2m). The mail canvass may also consist of adding to the registration list the names of eligible electors. Both door-to-door and mail canvasses whenever made shall be made throughout the municipality in a uniform manner. 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.

AB10, s. 18 Section 18. 6.50 (10) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB10,8,20 6.50 (10) Any elector whose registration is canceled under this section may have his or her registration reinstated by filing a new registration form reregister as provided under s. 6.30.

AB10, s. 19 Section 19. 6.54 of the statutes is repealed.

AB10, s. 20 Section 20. 6.55 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB10,9,11 6.55 (2) (b) Upon executing the registration form under par. (a), the person shall be required by a special registration deputy or inspector to present a valid operator's license issued to the person under ch. 343 that contains the photograph of the license holder, a valid identification card issued to the person under s. 343.50, or a copy of the person's birth certificate. If the identification presented is not acceptable proof of residence under sub. (7), the person shall also present acceptable proof of residence under sub. (7). If the person cannot supply such proof, the registration form shall be substantiated and signed by one other elector who resides in the same municipality as the registering elector, corroborating all the material statements therein. The corroborator shall then provide acceptable proof of residence. The signing by the elector executing the registration form and by any elector who corroborates the information in the form under par. (a) shall be in the presence of the special registration deputy or inspector. Upon compliance with this procedure, such person shall then be given the right to vote.

AB10, s. 21 Section 21. 6.55 (2) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB10,9,25 6.55 (2) (c) 1. As an alternative to registration at the polling place under pars. (a) and (b), the board of election commissioners, or the governing body of any municipality in which registration is required may by resolution require a person who qualifies as an elector and who is not registered and desires to register on the day of an election to do so at another readily accessible location in the same building as the polling place serving the elector's residence or at an alternate polling place assigned under s. 5.25 (5) (b), instead of at the polling place serving the elector's residence. In such case, the municipal clerk shall prominently post a notice of the registration location at the polling place. The municipal clerk, deputy clerk, or special registration deputy at the registration location shall require such person to execute a registration form as prescribed under par. (a) and to present a valid operator's license issued to the person under ch. 343 that contains the photograph of the license holder, a valid identification card issued to the person under s. 343.50, or a copy of the person's birth certificate. If the identification presented is not acceptable proof of residence under sub. (7), the person shall also provide acceptable proof of residence as provided under sub. (7). If the person cannot supply such proof, the registration form shall be corroborated in the manner provided in par. (b). The signing by the elector executing the registration form and by any corroborating elector as prescribed under par. (a) shall be in the presence of the municipal clerk, deputy clerk, or special registration deputy. Upon proper completion of registration, the municipal clerk, deputy clerk, or special registration deputy shall serially number the registration and give one copy to the elector for presentation at the polling place serving the elector's residence or an alternate polling place assigned under s. 5.25 (5) (b).