SB322: Bill Text

LRB-3525/1

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2009 - 2010 LEGISLATURE

2009 Senate BILL 322

September 30, 2009 - Introduced by Senators Taylor, Lehman and Kedzie, cosponsored by Representatives Smith, Stone, Hilgenberg, A. Williams, Jorgensen and Vruwink. Referred to Committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs.

SB322,1,3 An Act to amend 7.08 (2) (c), 7.08 (2) (cm), 8.20 (2) (a) and 8.20 (2) (c) of the statutes; relating to: information concerning independent candidates for partisan office that appears on the ballot at elections.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Currently, independent candidates for partisan office may include on their nomination papers a statement of party or principle. This statement appears on the ballot under the names of the candidates. Most statutory references to the statement limit the length of the statement to five words or less. This bill standardizes all references so that in all cases the statement or party or principle, if any, is limited to five words or less.

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

SB322, s. 1 Section 1. 7.08 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB322,2,6 7.08 (2) (c) As soon as possible after the canvass of the spring and September primary votes, but no later than the first Tuesday in March and the 4th Tuesday in September, transmit to the state treasurer a certified list of all eligible candidates for state office who have filed applications under s. 11.50 (2) and whom the board determines to be eligible to receive payments from the Wisconsin election campaign fund. The list shall contain each candidate's name, the mailing address indicated upon the candidate's registration form, the office for which the individual is a candidate and the party or principle which he or she represents, if any, in 5 words or less.

SB322, s. 2 Section 2. 7.08 (2) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB322,2,18 7.08 (2) (cm) As soon as possible after the canvass of a special primary, or the date that the primary would be held, if required, transmit to the state treasurer a certified list of all eligible candidates for state office who have filed applications under s. 11.50 (2) and whom the board determines to be eligible to receive a grant from the Wisconsin election campaign fund prior to the election. The board shall also transmit a similar list of candidates, if any, who have filed applications under s. 11.50 (2) and whom the board determines to be eligible to receive a grant under s. 11.50 (1) (a) 2. after the special election. The list shall contain each candidate's name, the mailing address indicated upon the candidate's registration form, the office for which the individual is a candidate and the party or principle which he or she represents, if any, in 5 words or less.

SB322, s. 3 Section 3. 8.20 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB322,2,21 8.20 (2) (a) Nomination is by nomination papers. Each nomination paper shall have substantially the following words printed at the top:

SB322,3,6 I, the undersigned, request that the name of (insert candidate's last name plus first name, nickname or initial, and middle name, former legal surname, nickname or middle initial or initials if desired, but no other abbreviations or titles), residing at (insert candidate's street address) be placed on the ballot at the (general or special) election to be held on (date of election) as a candidate [(representing the (name of party)) or (representing the principle(s) principle of (statement of principles principle, if any, in 5 words or less))] so that voters will have the opportunity to vote for (him or her) for the office of (name of office). I am eligible to vote in the (name of jurisdiction or district in which candidate seeks office). I have not signed the nomination paper of any other candidate for the same office at this election.

SB322, s. 4 Section 4. 8.20 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB322,3,16 8.20 (2) (c) In the case of candidates for the offices of president and vice president, the nomination papers shall contain both candidates' names; the office for which each is nominated; the residence and post-office address of each; and the party or principles principle they represent, if any, in 5 words or less. In the case of candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, the nomination papers shall contain both candidates' names or the name of a candidate for either office; the office for which each candidate is nominated; the residence and post-office address of each candidate; and the party or principles each candidate represents, if any, in 5 words or less.

SB322,3,17 (End)