Currently, an application that is transmitted by mail from an elector for an
absentee ballot at an election must be received by the municipal clerk or board of
election commissioners no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election. An
application from a sequestered juror or an elector who is hospitalized may be received
no later than 5 p.m. on election day. This bill provides that an application that is
transmitted by mail must be received by the municipal clerk or board of election
commissioners no later than 5 p.m. on the Wednesday before the election. In
addition, the bill provides that an application from a sequestered juror or a
hospitalized elector must be received no later than 5 p.m. on the day before election
day.
Deadline for mailing of absentee ballots
Currently, each municipal clerk and board of election commissioners must mail
an absentee ballot to each elector who has requested one no later than the 30th day
before each September primary and general election and no later than the 21st day
before each other primary and election. If an elector requests a ballot after the
mailing deadline, the clerk or board must mail the ballot within one day after
receiving the request. This bill requires a clerk or board of election commissioners
to mail an absentee ballot to an elector who requests a ballot, after the mailing
deadlines to mail the ballot, no later than the end of the second day beginning after
the day on which the request is received.

Deadline for receipt of absentee ballots
Currently, an elector's absentee ballot that is delivered to the municipal clerk
or board of election commissioners must be received in sufficient time for the clerk
or board to deliver the ballot to the polling place serving the elector's residence before
8 p.m. on election day. This bill provides that an elector's absentee ballot that is
delivered to the office of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners must
be received by the clerk or board no later than noon on election day.
Ballot information and ballot transmittal
Currently, there is no specific deadline provided for county clerks and boards
of election commissioners to transmit the names of candidates for national, state,
and county offices and state and county referendum questions to municipal clerks
and boards of election commissioners. This bill provides that county clerks and
boards of election commissioners must transmit ballot information to municipal
clerks and boards of election commissioners no later than two days after receiving
the necessary information from the Elections Board. Currently, county clerks and
boards of election commissioners must distribute ballots for absentee voters to
municipal clerks and boards of election commissioners no later than 31 days before
each September primary and general election and no later than 22 days before each
other primary and election. This bill requires county clerks and boards of election
commissioners to make this distribution one day earlier.
Absentee ballot canvassing procedure
Currently, each absentee ballot must be received at the polling place serving an
elector's residence no later than 8 p.m. on election night for the ballot to be counted.
The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners delivers all absentee ballots
received by the clerk or board to the appropriate polling places. The inspectors (poll
workers) canvass the absentee ballots, together with the other ballots, publicly on
election day by marking the names of the absentee electors on the same poll list that
is used to mark the names of the electors who vote in person. Any member of the
public may observe the proceedings. Any elector may challenge for cause any
absentee ballot that the elector knows or suspects is not cast by a qualified elector,
whether the absentee ballot is cast in person at the office of a municipal clerk or board
of election commissioners or the ballot is received in some other manner. Unless an
absentee ballot is challenged or voted provisionally, it is not identifiable once it is
counted, except that an absentee ballot may be distinguished from another ballot
because it carries the initials of the municipal clerk or executive director of the board
of election commissioners or a designated deputy. The inspectors at each polling
place announce the results of each election when the canvass is completed on election
night. Each municipal canvass must be completed by 2 p.m. on the day after each
election, and each county canvass must begin no later than 9 a.m. on the Thursday
following an election.
This bill permits the governing body of any municipality, by ordinance, to
discontinue the canvassing of absentee ballots at polling places. Under the bill, if
absentee ballots are not canvassed at polling places, the municipal board of
canvassers must convene at one or more public meetings held no earlier than the
seventh day after absentee ballots for an election are distributed and no later than

10 a.m. on the day after the election for the purpose of counting absentee ballots.
Under the bill, the board of canvassers does not announce the results of its count
until the canvass of all absentee ballots is completed on the day after an election. If
absentee ballots are not counted at polling places, the bill provides for the municipal
board of canvassers to conduct a cross-check of absentee ballots for any potential
duplication by electors who also cast ballots in person. To accomplish the
cross-check, the municipal board of canvassers numbers each absentee ballot as it
is counted, and if the elector who casts the ballot also casts a ballot in person, the
absentee ballot is not counted. To allow time for the separate canvass of the absentee
ballots to be completed and to reconcile and merge the results with the canvasses
conducted at polling places, in those municipalities where absentee ballots are not
counted at polling places, the bill allows an additional 24 hours for municipal
canvasses to be completed and for county canvasses to begin. The bill permits any
elector to challenge any absentee ballot for cause.
Ballot preparation
Currently, county clerks and boards of election commissioners are generally
responsible for printing or other preparation of ballots for elections, except that a
municipality that uses voting machines or an electronic voting system may, with
permission of the county clerk or board of election commissioners, prepare its own
ballots. First class cities (Milwaukee) may prepare their own ballots without
permission unless they use voting machines or an electronic voting system, in which
case, the county prepares their ballots. This bill provides that first class cities may
prepare their own ballots, at county expense, even if they use voting machines or an
electronic voting system.
Compensation for obtaining voter registrations
Under current law, a municipal clerk or board of election commissioners or the
Elections Board may appoint special registration deputies who may register electors
prior to the close of registration for any election. Any other person may also obtain
voter registration forms and may solicit registrations and return completed forms to
a municipal clerk, board of election commissioners, or the Elections Board.
This bill prohibits any person from compensating any other person, for
obtaining voter registrations, at a rate that varies in relation to the number of voter
registrations obtained by the person. Violators are guilty of a misdemeanor and are
subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than six
months, or both, for each offense.
Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,
the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a
report concerning the proposed penalty and the costs or savings that are likely to
result if the bill is enacted.

For further information see the local 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:
SB468, s. 1 1Section 1. 5.05 (11) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,5,112 5.05 (11) Aids to counties and municipalities. From the appropriations under
3s. 20.510 (1) (e), (t) and (x), the board may provide financial assistance to eligible
4counties and municipalities for election administration costs in accordance with the
5plan adopted under sub. (10). As a condition precedent to receipt of assistance under
6this subsection, the board shall enter into an agreement with the county or
7municipality receiving the assistance specifying the intended use of the assistance
8and shall ensure compliance with the terms of the agreement. Each agreement shall
9provide that if the federal government objects to the use of any assistance moneys
10provided to the county or municipality under the agreement, the county or
11municipality shall repay the amount of the assistance provided to the board.
SB468, s. 2 12Section 2. 5.68 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,6,213 5.68 (3) If Except as authorized in s. 7.15 (2) (b), if voting machines are used
14or if an electronic voting system is used in which all candidates and referenda appear
15on the same ballot, the ballots for all national, state, and county offices and for county
16and state referenda shall be prepared and paid for by the county wherein they are
17used. In 1st class cities, if the city prepares its own ballots for national, state, and
18county offices and for county and state referenda, the county shall pay for the ballots.

19If the voting machine or electronic voting system ballot includes a municipal or
20school, technical college, sewerage or sanitary district ballot, the cost of that portion

1of the ballot shall be reimbursed to the county or city or paid for by the municipality
2or district, except as provided in a 1st class city school district under sub. (2).
SB468, s. 3 3Section 3. 6.15 (4) (a) to (e) of the statutes are amended to read:
SB468,6,84 6.15 (4) (a) Clerks holding new resident ballots shall deliver them to the
5election inspectors in the proper ward or election district where the new residents
6reside or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, to the
7municipal board of canvassers when it convenes under s. 7.52 (1)
, as provided by s.
86.88 for absentee ballots.
SB468,6,139 (b) During polling hours, the inspectors shall open each carrier envelope,
10announce the elector's name, check the affidavit for proper execution, and check the
11voting qualifications for the ward, if any. In municipalities where absentee ballots
12are canvassed under s. 7.52, the municipal board of canvassers shall perform this
13function at a meeting of the board of canvassers.
SB468,6,1614 (c) The inspectors or board of canvassers shall open the inner envelope without
15examination of the ballot other than is necessary to see that the issuing clerk has
16endorsed it.
SB468,6,2117 (d) Upon satisfactory completion of the procedure under pars. (b) and (c) the
18inspectors or board of canvassers shall deposit the ballot in the ballot box. The
19inspectors board of canvassers shall enter the name of each elector voting under this
20section on the poll list with an indication that the elector is voting under this section
21or on a separate list maintained for the purpose under s. 6.79 (2) (c).
SB468,6,2522 (e) If the person is not a qualified elector in the ward or municipality, or if the
23envelope is open or has been opened and resealed, the inspectors shall reject the vote.
24Rejected ballots shall be processed the same as rejected absentee ballots, under s.
256.88 (3) (b).
SB468, s. 4
1Section 4. 6.15 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,7,62 6.15 (6) Death of elector. When it appears by due proof to the inspectors or,
3in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, when it
4appears by due proof to the board of canvassers
that a person voting under this
5section
at an election has died before the date of the election, the inspectors or board
6of canvassers
shall return the ballot with defective ballots to the issuing official.
SB468, s. 5 7Section 5. 6.21 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,7,14 86.21 Deceased electors. When by due proof it appears to the inspectors or,
9in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, when it
10appears by due proof to the board of canvassers
that a person voting under this
11section
casting an absentee ballot at an election has died before the date of the
12election, they the inspectors or board of canvassers shall return the ballot with
13defective ballots to the issuing official. The casting of the ballot of a deceased elector
14does not invalidate the election.
SB468, s. 6 15Section 6. 6.22 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,8,516 6.22 (4) Instructions and handling. An individual who qualifies as a military
17elector may request an absentee ballot for any election, or for all elections until the
18individual otherwise requests or until the individual no longer qualifies as a military
19elector. A military elector's application may be received at any time. The municipal
20clerk shall not send a ballot for an election if the application is received later than
215 p.m. on the Friday Wednesday preceding that election. The municipal clerk shall
22send a ballot, as soon as available, to each military elector who requests a ballot. The
23board shall prescribe the instructions for marking and returning ballots and the
24municipal clerk shall enclose instructions with each ballot and shall also enclose
25supplemental instructions for local elections. The envelope, return envelope and

1instructions may not contain the name of any candidate appearing on the enclosed
2ballots other than that of the municipal clerk affixed in the fulfillment of his or her
3duties. Whenever the material is mailed, the material shall be prepared and mailed
4to make use of the federal free postage laws. The mailing list established under this
5subsection shall be kept current in the same manner as provided in s. 6.86 (2) (b).
SB468, s. 7 6Section 7. 6.28 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,9,27 6.28 (1) Registration locations; deadline. Except as authorized in ss. 6.29,
86.55 (2), and 6.86 (3) (a) 2., registration in person for any election shall close at 5 p.m.
9on the 2nd Wednesday 4th Thursday preceding the election. Registrations made by
10mail under s. 6.30 (4) must be delivered to the office of the municipal clerk or
11postmarked no later than the 2nd Wednesday 4th Thursday preceding the election.
12An application for registration in person or by mail may be accepted for placement
13on the registration list after the specified deadline, if the municipal clerk determines
14that the registration list can be revised to incorporate the registration in time for the
15election. All applications for registration corrections and additions may be made
16throughout the year at the office of the city board of election commissioners, at the
17office of the municipal clerk, at the office of any register of deeds or at other locations
18provided by the board of election commissioners or the common council in cities over
19500,000 population or by either or both the municipal clerk, or the common council,
20village or town board in all other municipalities and may also be made during the
21school year at any high school by qualified persons under sub. (2) (a). Other
22registration locations may include but are not limited to fire houses, police stations,
23public libraries, institutions of higher education, supermarkets, community centers,
24plants and factories, banks, savings and loan associations and savings banks.
25Special registration deputies shall be appointed for all locations. An elector who

1wishes to obtain a confidential listing under s. 6.47 (2) shall register at the office of
2the municipal clerk of the municipality where the elector resides.
SB468, s. 8 3Section 8. 6.86 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,9,204 6.86 (1) (b) Except as provided in this section, if application is made in writing
5by mail, the application, signed by the elector, shall be received no later than 5 p.m.
6on the Friday Wednesday immediately preceding the election. If application is made
7in person, the application shall be made no later than 5 p.m. on the day preceding
8the election. If the elector is making written application and the application
9indicates that the reason for requesting an absentee ballot is that the elector is a
10sequestered juror, the application shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on the day
11preceding the
election day. If the an application from a sequestered juror is received
12after 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the election, the municipal clerk
13or the clerk's agent shall immediately take the ballot to the court in which the elector
14is serving as a juror and deposit it with the judge. The judge shall recess court, as
15soon as convenient, and give the elector the ballot. The judge shall then witness the
16voting procedure as provided in s. 6.87 and shall deliver the ballot to the clerk or
17agent of the clerk who shall deliver it to the polling place or, in municipalities where
18absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, to the municipal clerk
as required in
19s. 6.88. If application is made under sub. (2), the application may be received no later
20than 5 p.m. on the Friday Wednesday immediately preceding the election.
SB468, s. 9 21Section 9. 6.86 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,9,2522 6.86 (3) (c) An application under par. (a) 1. may be made and a registration form
23under par. (a) 2. may be filed in person at the office of the municipal clerk not earlier
24than 7 days before an election and not later than 5 p.m. on the day of the before an
25election. A list of hospitalized electors applying for ballots under par. (a) 1. shall be

1made by the municipal clerk and used to check that the electors vote only once, and
2by absentee ballot. If identification is required, the municipal clerk shall so inform
3the agent and the elector shall enclose identification in the envelope with the ballot.
4The ballot shall be sealed by the elector and returned to the municipal clerk either
5by mail or by personal delivery of the agent; but if the ballot is returned on the day
6of the election, the agent shall make personal delivery at to the polling place serving
7the hospitalized elector's residence before the closing hour for the ballot to be counted
8or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, to the
9municipal clerk no later than 8 p.m. on election day
.
SB468, s. 10 10Section 10. 6.87 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,10,1711 6.87 (6) The ballot shall be returned so it is received by the municipal clerk in
12time for delivery
no later than noon on election day. Except in municipalities where
13absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, if the municipal clerk receives an
14absentee ballot on election day, the clerk shall secure the ballot and cause the ballot
15to be delivered
to the polls polling place serving the elector's residence before the
16closing hour. Any ballot not mailed or delivered as provided in this subsection may
17not be counted.
SB468, s. 11 18Section 11. 6.88 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,11,419 6.88 (1) When an absentee ballot arrives at the office of the municipal clerk,
20the clerk shall enclose it, unopened, in a carrier envelope which shall be securely
21sealed and endorsed with the name and official title of the clerk, and the words "This
22envelope contains the ballot of an absent elector and must be opened at the polls
23during polling hours on election day". or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are
24canvassed under s. 7.52, at a meeting of the municipal board of canvassers under s.
257.52."
If the ballot was received by the elector by facsimile transmission or electronic

1mail and is accompanied by a separate certificate, the clerk shall enclose the ballot
2in a certificate envelope and securely append the completed certificate to the outside
3of the envelope before enclosing the ballot in the carrier envelope. The clerk shall
4keep the ballot in the clerk's office until delivered, as required in sub. (2).
SB468, s. 12 5Section 12. 6.88 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,11,176 6.88 (2) When an absentee ballot is received by the municipal clerk prior to the
7delivery of the official ballots to the election officials of the ward in which the elector
8resides or, where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, the municipal board
9of canvassers
, the municipal clerk shall seal the ballot envelope in the carrier
10envelope as provided under sub. (1), and shall enclose the envelope in a package and
11deliver the package to the election inspectors of the proper ward or election district
12or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, to the
13municipal board of canvassers when it convenes under s. 7.52
. When the official
14ballots for the ward or election district have been delivered to the election officials
15inspectors before the receipt of an absentee ballot, the clerk shall immediately
16enclose the envelope containing the absentee ballot in a carrier envelope as provided
17under sub. (1) and deliver it in person to the proper election officials.
SB468, s. 13 18Section 13. 6.88 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,12,1219 6.88 (3) (a) Any Except in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed
20under s. 7.52, at any
time between the opening and closing of the polls on election day,
21the inspectors shall open the carrier envelope only, and announce the name of the
22absent elector or the identification serial number of the absent elector if the elector
23has a confidential listing under s. 6.47 (2). When the inspectors find that the
24certification has been properly executed, the applicant is a qualified elector of the
25ward or election district, and the applicant has not voted in the election, they shall

1enter an indication on the poll list next to the applicant's name indicating an
2absentee ballot is cast by the elector. They shall then open the envelope containing
3the ballot in a manner so as not to deface or destroy the certification thereon. The
4inspectors shall take out the ballot without unfolding it or permitting it to be
5unfolded or examined. Unless the ballot is cast under s. 6.95, the inspectors shall
6verify that the ballot has been endorsed by the issuing clerk. If the poll list indicates
7that identification is required and no identification is enclosed or the name or
8address on the document that is provided is not the same as the name and address
9shown on the poll list, the inspectors shall proceed as provided under s. 6.97 (2). The
10inspectors shall then deposit the ballot into the proper ballot box and enter the
11absent elector's name or voting number after his or her name on the poll list in the
12same manner as if the elector had been present and voted in person.
SB468,13,313 (b) When the inspectors find that a certification is insufficient, that the
14applicant is not a qualified elector in the ward or election district, that the ballot
15envelope is open or has been opened and resealed, that the ballot envelope contains
16more than one ballot of any one kind or, except in municipalities where absentee
17ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52,
that the certificate of an elector who received an
18absentee ballot by facsimile transmission or electronic mail is missing, or if proof is
19submitted to the inspectors that an elector voting an absentee ballot has since died,
20the inspectors shall not count the ballot. The inspectors shall endorse every ballot
21not counted on the back, "rejected (giving the reason)". The inspectors shall reinsert
22each rejected ballot into the certificate envelope in which it was delivered and enclose
23the certificate envelopes and ballots, and securely seal the ballots and envelopes in
24an envelope marked for rejected absentee ballots. The inspectors shall endorse the
25envelope, "rejected ballots" with a statement of the ward or election district and date

1of the election, signed by the chief inspector and one of the inspectors representing
2each of the 2 major political parties and returned to the municipal clerk in the same
3manner as official ballots voted at the election.
SB468, s. 14 4Section 14. 6.93 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,13,10 56.93 Challenging the absent elector. The vote of any absent elector may be
6challenged for cause and the inspectors of election shall have all the power and
7authority given them to hear and determine the legality of the ballot the same as if
8the ballot had been voted in person. In municipalities where absentee ballots are
9canvassed under s. 7.52, the vote of an absentee elector may be challenged as
10provided in s. 7.52 (5).
SB468, s. 15 11Section 15. 6.935 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,13,15 126.935 Challenge based on incompetency. Section 6.03 (3) applies to any
13challenge of a person's right to vote under s. 6.92, 6.925 or, 6.93, or 7.52 (5) based on
14an allegation that an elector is incapable of understanding the objective of the
15elective process and thereby ineligible to vote.
SB468, s. 16 16Section 16. 6.97 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,14,1817 6.97 (1) Whenever any individual who is required to provide identification in
18order to be permitted to vote appears to vote at a polling place and cannot provide
19the required identification, or the individual has not provided identification as
20provided in s. 6.88 (3) (a) or 7.52 (3) (a),
the inspectors shall offer the opportunity for
21the individual to vote under this section. If the individual wishes to vote, the
22inspectors shall provide the elector with an envelope marked "Ballot under s. 6.97,
23stats.," on which the serial number of the elector is entered and shall require the
24individual to execute on the envelope a written affirmation stating that the
25individual is a qualified elector of the ward or election district where he or she offers

1to vote and is eligible to vote in the election. The inspectors shall, before giving the
2elector a ballot, write on the back of the ballot the serial number of the individual
3corresponding to the number kept at the election on the poll list or other list
4maintained under s. 6.79 and the notation "s. 6.97". If voting machines are used in
5the municipality where the individual is voting, the individual's vote may be received
6only upon an absentee ballot furnished by the municipal clerk which shall have the
7corresponding number from the poll list or other list maintained under s. 6.79 (2) (c)
8and the notation "s. 6.97" written on the back of the ballot by the inspectors before
9the ballot is given to the elector. When receiving the individual's ballot, the
10inspectors shall provide the individual with written voting information prescribed
11by the board under s. 7.08 (8). The inspectors shall indicate on the list the fact that
12the individual is required to provide identification but did not do so. The inspectors
13shall notify the individual that he or she may provide identification to the municipal
14clerk or executive director of the municipal board of election commissioners. The
15inspectors shall also promptly notify the municipal clerk or executive director of the
16name, address, and serial number of the individual. The inspectors shall then place
17the ballot inside the certificate envelope on which the elector's serial number has
18been entered
and place the that envelope in a separate carrier envelope.
SB468, s. 17 19Section 17. 6.97 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,15,920 6.97 (2) Whenever any individual who votes by absentee ballot is required to
21provide identification in order to be permitted to vote and does not provide the
22required identification, the inspectors or, in municipalities where absentee ballots
23are canvassed under s. 7.52, the municipal board of canvassers
shall write on the
24back of the absentee ballot the serial number of the individual corresponding to the
25number kept at the election on the poll list or other list maintained under s. 6.79 and

1the notation "s. 6.97". The inspectors or board of canvassers shall indicate on the poll
2list the fact that the individual is required to provide identification but did not do so.
3The inspectors or board of canvassers shall promptly notify the municipal clerk or
4executive director of the municipal board of election commissioners of the name,
5address, and serial number, or in municipalities where absentee ballots are
6canvassed under s. 7.52, the poll list number
of the individual. The inspectors or
7board of canvassers
shall then place the ballot inside an envelope on which the name
8and serial number of the elector is entered and shall place the envelope in a separate
9carrier envelope.
SB468, s. 18 10Section 18. 7.10 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,15,1811 7.10 (3) (a) The county clerk shall distribute the ballots to the municipal clerks
12no later than 31 32 days before each September primary and general election and no
13later than 22 23 days before each other primary and election. Election forms
14prepared by the board shall be distributed at the same time. If the board transmits
15an amended certification under s. 7.08 (2) (a) or if the board or a court orders a ballot
16error to be corrected under s. 5.06 (6) or 5.72 (3) after ballots have been distributed,
17the county clerk shall distribute corrected ballots to the municipal clerks as soon as
18possible.
SB468, s. 19 19Section 19. 7.15 (1) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,16,220 7.15 (1) (cm) Prepare official absentee ballots for delivery to electors requesting
21them, and send an official absentee ballot to each elector who has requested one no
22later than the 30th day before each September primary and general election and no
23later than the 21st day before each other primary and election if the request is made
24before that day; otherwise, the municipal clerk shall send an official absentee ballot

1within one day of the time no later than the end of the 2nd day beginning after the
2day on which
the elector's request is received.
SB468, s. 20 3Section 20. 7.51 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,16,144 7.51 (2) (c) Whenever the number of ballots exceeds the number of voting
5electors as indicated on the poll list, the inspectors shall place all ballots face up to
6check for blank ballots. In this paragraph, "blank ballot" means a ballot on which
7no votes are cast for any office or question. The inspectors shall mark, lay aside and
8preserve any blank ballots. If Except in municipalities where absentee ballots are
9canvassed under s. 7.52, if
the number of ballots still exceeds the number of voting
10electors, the inspectors shall place all ballots face down and proceed to check for the
11initials. The inspectors shall mark, lay aside and preserve any ballot not bearing the
12initials of 2 inspectors or any absentee ballot not bearing the initials of the municipal
13clerk. During the count the inspectors shall count those ballots cast by challenged
14electors the same as the other ballots.
SB468, s. 21 15Section 21. 7.51 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,17,916 7.51 (2) (e) If, Except in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed
17under s. 7.52, if
after any ballots have been laid aside, the number of ballots still
18exceeds the total number of electors recorded on the poll list, the inspectors shall
19separate the absentee ballots from the other ballots. If there is an excess number of
20absentee ballots, the inspectors shall place the absentee ballots in the ballot box and
21one of the inspectors shall publicly and without examination draw therefrom by
22chance the number of ballots equal to the excess number of absentee ballots. If there
23is an excess number of other nonabsentee ballots, the inspectors shall place those
24ballots in the ballot box and one of the inspectors shall publicly and without
25examination draw therefrom by chance the number of ballots equal to the excess

1number of those ballots. All ballots so removed may not be counted but shall be
2specially marked as having been removed by the inspectors on original canvass due
3to an excess number of ballots, set aside and preserved. When the number of ballots
4and total shown on the poll list agree, the inspectors shall return all ballots to be
5counted to the ballot box and shall turn the ballot box in such manner as to
6thoroughly mix the ballots. The inspectors shall then open, count and record the
7number of votes. When the ballots are counted, the inspectors shall separate them
8into piles for ballots similarly voted. Objections may be made to placement of ballots
9in the piles at the time the separation is made.
SB468, s. 22 10Section 22. 7.51 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,17,1711 7.51 (3) (d) All Except in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed
12under s. 7.52, all
absentee certificate envelopes which have been opened shall be
13returned by the inspectors to the municipal clerk in a securely sealed carrier
14envelope which is clearly marked "used absentee certificate envelopes". The
15envelopes shall be signed by the chief inspector and 2 other inspectors. Except when
16the ballots are used in a municipal or school district election only, the municipal clerk
17shall transmit the used envelopes to the county clerk.
SB468, s. 23 18Section 23. 7.51 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB468,18,319 7.51 (5) (b) The municipal clerk shall arrange for delivery of all ballots,
20statements, tally sheets, lists, and envelopes relating to a school district election to
21the school district clerk. The municipal clerk shall deliver the ballots, statements,
22tally sheets, lists, and envelopes for his or her municipality relating to any county,
23technical college district, state, or national election to the county clerk by 2 p.m. on
24the 2nd day following each such election or, in municipalities where absentee ballots
25are canvassed under s. 7.52, by 2 p.m. on the 2nd day following each such election
.

1The person delivering the returns shall be paid out of the municipal treasury. Each
2clerk shall retain ballots, statements, tally sheets, or envelopes received by the clerk
3until destruction is authorized under s. 7.23 (1).
SB468, s. 24 4Section 24. 7.52 of the statutes is created to read:
SB468,18,18 57.52 Canvassing of absentee ballots. (1) The governing body of any
6municipality may provide by ordinance that, in lieu of canvassing absentee ballots
7at polling places under s. 6.88, the municipal board of canvassers designated under
8s. 7.53 (1) or (2) shall canvass all absentee ballots at all elections held in the
9municipality. Thereafter, at every election, the board of canvassers shall, at one or
10more times no earlier than the 7th day after absentee ballots are distributed for each
11election under s. 7.15 (1) (cm) and no later than 10 a.m. on the day after an election,
12publicly convene to count the absentee ballots for the municipality. The municipal
13clerk shall give at least 48 hours' notice of any meeting under this subsection. Any
14member of the public has the same right of access to a meeting of the municipal board
15of canvassers under this subsection that the individual would have under s. 7.41 to
16observe the proceedings at a polling place. The board of canvassers may order the
17removal of any individual exercising the right to observe the proceedings if the
18individual disrupts the meeting.
SB468,18,25 19(2) In counting the absentee ballots, the board of canvassers shall use 2
20duplicate copies of a single poll list for the entire municipality prepared in accordance
21with s. 6.36 (2). Upon accepting each absentee ballot, the board of canvassers shall
22enter a poll list number on the poll list next to the name of the elector who voted the
23ballot, beginning with the number one. If the elector's name does not appear on the
24poll list, the board of canvassers shall enter the number on a separate list maintained
25under this subsection.
SB468,19,19
1(3) (a) The board of canvassers shall first open the carrier envelope only, and
2announce the name of the absent elector or the identification serial number of the
3absent elector if the elector has a confidential listing under s. 6.47 (2). When the
4board of canvassers finds that the certification has been properly executed, the
5applicant is a qualified elector of the ward or election district, and the applicant has
6not voted in the election, the board of canvassers shall enter an indication on the poll
7list next to the applicant's name indicating an absentee ballot is cast by the elector.
8The board of canvassers shall then open the envelope containing the ballot in a
9manner so as not to deface or destroy the certification thereon. The board of
10canvassers shall take out the ballot without unfolding it or permitting it to be
11unfolded or examined. Unless the ballot is cast under s. 6.95, the board of canvassers
12shall verify that the ballot has been endorsed by the issuing clerk. If the poll list
13indicates that identification is required and no identification is enclosed or the name
14or address on the document that is provided is not the same as the name and address
15shown on the poll list, the board of canvassers shall proceed as provided under s. 6.97
16(2). The board of canvassers shall mark the poll list number of each elector who casts
17an absentee ballot on the back of the elector's ballot. The board of canvassers shall
18then deposit the ballot into the proper ballot box and enter the absent elector's name
19or poll list number after his or her name on the poll list.
SB468,20,1020 (b) When the board of canvassers finds that a certification is insufficient, that
21the applicant is not a qualified elector in the ward or election district, that the ballot
22envelope is open or has been opened and resealed, that the ballot envelope contains
23more than one ballot of any one kind, or that the certificate of an elector who received
24an absentee ballot by facsimile transmission or electronic mail is missing, or if proof
25is submitted to the board of canvassers that an elector voting an absentee ballot has

1since died, the board of canvassers shall not count the ballot. Each member of the
2board of canvassers shall endorse every ballot not counted on the back as "rejected
3(giving the reason)." The board of canvassers shall reinsert each rejected ballot into
4the certificate envelope in which it was delivered and enclose the certificate
5envelopes and ballots, and securely seal the ballots and envelopes in an envelope
6marked for rejected absentee ballots. The board of canvassers shall endorse the
7envelope as "rejected ballots," with a statement of the ward or election district and
8date of the election, and each member of the board of canvassers shall sign the
9statement. The board of canvassers shall then return the envelope containing the
10ballots to the municipal clerk.
SB468,20,19 11(4) (a) The board of canvassers shall then open the ballot box and remove and
12count the number of ballots therein without examination except as is necessary to
13ascertain that each is a single ballot. If 2 or more ballots are folded together so as
14to appear as a single ballot, the board of canvassers shall lay them aside until the
15count is completed; and if, after a comparison of the count and the appearance of the
16ballots it appears to the board of canvassers that the ballots folded together were
17voted by the same person they shall not be counted but the board of canvassers shall
18mark them as to the reason for removal, set them aside, and carefully preserve them.
19The board of canvassers shall then proceed under par. (b).
SB468,20,2420 (b) When during the counting of the ballots cast at an election the board of
21canvassers finds that a ballot is so defective that it cannot determine with reasonable
22certainty for whom it was cast, the board of canvassers shall so mark the ballot and
23preserve it. The board of canvassers shall not count the vote cast on the ballot for
24any office for which it determines the ballot to be defective.
SB468,21,10
1(c) Whenever the number of ballots exceeds the number of voting electors as
2indicated on the poll list, the board of canvassers shall place all ballots face up to
3check for blank ballots. In this paragraph, "blank ballot" means a ballot on which
4no votes are cast for any office or question. The board of canvassers shall mark, lay
5aside, and preserve any blank ballots. If the number of ballots still exceeds the
6number of voting electors, the board of canvassers shall place all ballots face down
7and proceed to check for the initials. The inspectors shall mark, lay aside, and
8preserve any ballot not bearing the initials of the municipal clerk. During the count
9the board of canvassers shall count those ballots cast by challenged electors the same
10as the other ballots.
SB468,21,1611 (d) The board of canvassers shall keep a written statement, in duplicate, of the
12number of ballots set aside and the number of defective ballots and challenged
13ballots. The statement shall contain a record of the reasons for setting aside each
14ballot and the reasons why each defective or challenged ballot is defective or
15challenged. The board of canvassers shall certify that the statement is correct, sign
16it, and attach it to the tally sheets.
SB468,22,417 (e) If, after any ballots have been set aside, the number of ballots still exceeds
18the total number of electors recorded on the poll list, the board of canvassers shall
19place the absentee ballots in the ballot box and one of the members shall publicly and
20without examination draw therefrom by chance the number of ballots equal to the
21excess number of ballots. All ballots so removed shall not be counted but shall be
22specially marked as having been removed by the board of canvassers on original
23canvass due to an excess number of ballots, set aside, and preserved. When the
24number of ballots and total shown on the poll list agree, the board of canvassers shall
25return all ballots to be counted to the ballot box and shall turn the ballot box in such

1manner as to thoroughly mix the ballots. The board of canvassers shall then open,
2count, and record the number of votes. When the ballots are counted, the board of
3canvassers shall separate them into piles for ballots similarly voted. Objections may
4be made to placement of ballots in the piles at the time the separation is made.
SB468,22,75 (f) If corrected ballots under s. 5.06 (6) or 5.72 (3) are distributed under s. 7.10
6(3), only the votes cast on the corrected ballots may be counted for any office or
7referendum in which the original ballots differ from the corrected ballots.
SB468,22,198 (g) The board of canvassers shall place together all ballots counted by it which
9relate to any national, state, or county office or any state, county, or technical college
10district referendum and secure them together so that they cannot be untied or
11tampered with without breaking the seal. The secured ballots, together with any
12ballots marked "Defective," shall then be secured by the board of canvassers in the
13ballot container in such a manner that the container cannot be opened without
14breaking the seals or locks, or destroying the container. The board of canvassers
15shall place the ballots cast under s. 6.97 in a separate, securely sealed carrier
16envelope which is clearly marked "Section 6.97 ballots." Each member of the board
17of canvassers shall sign the carrier envelope. The carrier envelope shall not be placed
18in the ballot container. The board of canvassers shall then deliver the ballots to the
19municipal clerk in the ballot container and carrier envelope.
SB468,22,2520 (h) For ballots that relate only to municipal or school district offices or
21referenda, the board of canvassers, in lieu of par. (a), after counting the ballots shall
22return them to the proper ballot boxes, lock the boxes, paste paper over the slots, sign
23their names to the paper, and deliver them and the keys therefor to the municipal
24or school district clerk. The clerk shall retain the ballots until destruction is
25authorized under s. 7.23.
SB468,23,6
1(i) All absentee certificate envelopes which have been opened shall be returned
2by the board of canvassers to the municipal clerk in a securely sealed carrier envelope
3that is clearly marked "used absentee certificate envelopes." The envelopes shall be
4signed by each member of the board of canvassers. Except when the ballots are used
5in a municipal or school district election only, the municipal clerk shall transmit the
6used envelopes to the county clerk.
SB468,23,9 7(5) The vote of any absent elector may be challenged for cause and the board
8of canvassers shall have all the power and authority given the inspectors to hear and
9determine the legality of the ballot the same as if the ballot had been voted in person.
SB468,23,17 10(6) (a) The board of canvassers shall review each certificate envelope to
11determine whether any absentee ballot is cast by an elector whose name appears on
12the poll list as ineligible to vote at the election. If the board of canvassers receives
13an absentee ballot that has been cast by an elector whose name appears on the poll
14list as ineligible to vote, the inspectors shall challenge the ballot in the same manner
15as provided for inspectors making challenges under s. 6.92 and shall treat the ballot
16in the manner as provided for treatment of challenged ballots by inspectors under
17s. 6.95.
SB468,24,1218 (b) Any elector may challenge for cause any absentee ballot other than a ballot
19that was cast in person under s. 6.86 (1) (a) 2. or under s. 6.873. For the purpose of
20deciding upon ballots that are challenged for any reason, the board of canvassers
21may call before it any person whose absentee ballot is challenged if the person is
22available to be called. If the person challenged refuses to answer fully any relevant
23questions put to him or her by the board of canvassers under s. 6.92, the board of
24canvassers shall reject the elector's vote. If the challenge is not withdrawn after the
25person offering to vote has answered the questions, one of the members of the board

1of canvassers shall administer to the person the following oath or affirmation: "You
2do solemnly swear (or affirm) that: you are 18 years of age; you are a citizen of the
3United States; you are now and for 10 days have been a resident of this ward except
4under s. 6.02 (2); you have not voted at this election; you have not made any bet or
5wager or become directly or indirectly interested in any bet or wager depending upon
6the result of this election; you are not on any other ground disqualified to vote at this
7election." If the person challenged refuses to take the oath or affirmation, the
8person's vote shall be rejected. If the person challenged answers fully all relevant
9questions put to the elector by the board of canvassers under s. 6.92, takes the oath
10or affirmation, and fulfills the applicable registration requirements, and if the
11answers to the questions given by the person indicate that the person meets the
12voting qualification requirements, the person's vote shall be received.
SB468,25,8 13(7) The board of canvassers shall maintain tally sheets on forms provided by
14the municipal clerk, which shall state the total number of votes cast for each office
15and for each individual receiving votes for that office, whether or not the individual's
16name appears on the ballot, and shall state the vote for and against each proposition
17voted on. If the board of canvassers recesses without completing the canvass of the
18absentee ballots, the municipal clerk shall secure the tally sheets, together with all
19ballots, envelopes, and other materials, and shall deliver them to the board of
20canvassers at its next meeting under sub. (1). Upon completion of the canvass of the
21absentee ballots, the board of canvassers shall immediately complete statements in
22duplicate. The statements shall state the excess, if any, by which the number of
23ballots exceeds the number of electors voting as shown by the poll list used by the
24board of canvassers under this section and shall state the poll list number of the last
25elector as shown by the poll list. Each member of the board of canvassers shall then

1certify to the correctness of the statements and tally sheets and sign their names.
2All other election officials assisting with the tally shall also certify to the correctness
3of the tally sheets. If the board of canvassers meets under sub. (1) before the day after
4election day, the canvassers shall not announce the results and the records of the
5count are not open to public inspection and copying under s. 19.35 (1). When the tally
6is complete, the board of canvassers shall publicly announce the results from the
7statements and the records of the count are open to public inspection and copying
8under s. 19.35 (1).
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