AB1166: Bill Text

LRB-4920/1

MPG:cdc

2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Assembly BILL 1166

March 10, 2022 - Introduced by Representatives Haywood, Sinicki, Hebl, Ohnstad, Andraca, Spreitzer, Hesselbein, Drake, Subeck, Pope, Bowen, Brostoff, Stubbs and Shelton, cosponsored by Senators Johnson, Ringhand, Roys and Agard. Referred to Committee on Campaigns and Elections.

AB1166,1,3 An Act to amend 304.078 (3); and to create 301.03 (20n) of the statutes; relating to: facilitating voter registration for those who have their voting rights restored.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, the Department of Corrections or a jailer of a county jail or house of correction is required to provide written notification to a person convicted of a felony when the person's right to vote is restored. Under this bill, DOC or the jailer must at the same time provide to the person all of the following:

1. A voter registration form and information concerning eligibility to vote.

2. Instructions for completing the voter registration form.

3. Unless the person declines in writing, assistance completing the voter registration form.

4. A written explanation of how to register to vote in person, by mail, and by electronic means.

5. Information concerning the current election cycle, including the dates of upcoming elections and which offices are on the ballots.

Also, under current law, DOC is required to transmit to the Elections Commission, on a continuous basis, a list containing the name of each living person who has been convicted of a felony and whose civil rights have not been restored. This bill requires that DOC additionally transmit to the Elections Commission, on a continuous basis, a list containing the name of each living person who has been convicted of a felony and whose civil rights have been restored, together with his or her residential address.

For further information see the state and 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:

AB1166,1 Section 1 . 301.03 (20n) of the statutes is created to read:

AB1166,2,5 301.03 (20n) Transmit to the elections commission, on a continuous basis, a list containing the name of each living person who has been convicted of a felony under the laws of this state and whose civil rights have been restored, together with his or her residential address.

AB1166,2 Section 2. 304.078 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1166,2,18 304.078 (3) If a person is disqualified from voting under s. 6.03 (1) (b), his or her right to vote is restored when he or she completes the term of imprisonment or probation for the crime that led to the disqualification. The department or, if the person is sentenced to a county jail or house of correction, the jailer shall inform the person in writing at the time his or her right to vote is restored under this subsection; shall provide to the person the voter registration form prescribed under s. 6.33 and information concerning eligibility to vote, instructions for completing the form, and, unless the person declines in writing, assistance completing the form; shall provide to the person a written explanation of how to register to vote in person under s. 6.30 (1), by mail under s. 6.30 (4), and by electronic means under s. 6.30 (5); and shall provide to the person information concerning the current election cycle, including the dates of upcoming elections and which offices are on the ballots.

AB1166,2,19 (End)