6.24(4)(a)(a) An overseas elector who is properly registered where registration is required may request an absentee ballot in writing under
ss. 6.86 to
6.89.
6.24(4)(b)
(b) A federal postcard registration and absentee ballot request form may be used to apply for an absentee ballot under
par. (a) if the form is completed in such manner that the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners with whom it is filed is able to determine all of the following:
6.24(4)(b)2.
2. That the applicant qualifies to vote in the ward or election district where he or she seeks to vote under
sub. (2).
6.24(4)(c)
(c) Upon receipt of a timely application from an individual who qualifies as an overseas elector and who has registered to vote in a municipality under
sub. (3) whenever registration is required in that municipality, the municipal clerk of the municipality shall mail an absentee ballot to the individual for all subsequent elections for national office to be held during the year in which the ballot is requested, unless the individual otherwise requests or until the individual no longer qualifies as an overseas elector.
6.24(4)(d)
(d) An overseas elector who is not registered may request both a registration form and an absentee ballot at the same time, and the municipal clerk shall mail the ballot automatically if the registration form is received within the time prescribed in
s. 6.30 (3). The board shall prescribe a special certificate affidavit form for the envelope in which the absentee ballot for overseas electors is contained, which shall be substantially similar to that provided under
s. 6.87 (2). Whenever an application, affidavit or other act is required in
ss. 6.86 to
6.89 an overseas elector may fulfill the requirements by subscribing or swearing before any person authorized to administer oaths or 2 adult U.S. citizens.
6.24(5)
(5) Ballots. The board shall prescribe a special ballot for use under this section whenever necessary. Official ballots under
ss. 5.60 (8) and
5.64 (3) may also be used. The ballot shall be designed to comply with the requirements of
ss. 5.60 (8),
5.62 and
5.64 insofar as applicable. All ballots shall be limited to national offices only.
6.24(6)
(6) Instructions and handling. The municipal clerk shall mail a ballot, as soon as available, to each overseas elector by whom a request has been made. The board shall prescribe the instructions for marking or punching and returning ballots and the municipal clerk shall enclose such instructions with each ballot. The envelope, return envelope and instructions may not contain the name of any candidate appearing on the enclosed ballots other than that of the municipal clerk affixed in the fulfillment of his or her duties. The municipal clerk shall mail the material postage prepaid to any place in the world. The overseas elector shall provide return postage.
6.24(7)
(7) Voting procedure. Except as authorized under
s. 6.25, the ballot shall be marked or punched and returned, deposited and recorded in the same manner as other absentee ballots. In addition, the certificate-affidavit shall have a statement of the elector's birth date. Failure to return the unused ballots in a primary election does not invalidate the ballot on which the elector casts his or her votes.
6.24(8)
(8) Overseas elector list. Each municipal clerk where registration is not required shall keep an up-to-date list of all eligible local overseas electors; city clerks shall keep the lists by wards. The list shall contain the name, latest-known residence and mailing address of each overseas elector. The list shall be kept current through all possible means. Each clerk shall exercise reasonable care to avoid duplication of names or listing anyone who is not eligible to vote. Each clerk shall distribute 2 copies of the list to the appropriate polling places in the municipality for use on election day.
6.25
6.25
Write-in absentee ballot. 6.25(1)
(1) Any individual who qualifies as a military elector under
s. 6.22 (1) (b) or an overseas elector under
s. 6.24 (1) and who transmits an application for an official absentee ballot for a general election no later than 30 days before election day may, in lieu of the official ballot, cast a federal write-in absentee ballot prescribed under
42 USC 1973ff-2 for any candidate or for all of the candidates of any recognized political party for national office listed on the official ballot at the general election if the federal write-in absentee ballot is received by the appropriate municipal clerk no later than the time prescribed in
s. 6.87 (6).
6.25(2)
(2) Any individual who qualifies as a military elector under
s. 6.22 (1) (b) and who transmits an application for an official absentee ballot for any election no later than 30 days before election day may, in lieu of the official ballot, cast a write-in absentee ballot for any candidate or for all of the candidates of any recognized political party listed on the official ballot at the election if the write-in absentee ballot is received by the appropriate municipal clerk no later than the time prescribed in
s. 6.87 (6). The ballot shall contain the information required under
s. 5.55 whenever applicable and on the face shall indicate the type and date of election and shall list the offices to be filled and the number of votes that each elector may cast for each office. The ballot shall include a number of spaces under each office equal to the number of votes permitted to be cast for that office for the elector to write in the names of candidates.
6.25(3)
(3) Any individual who qualifies as an overseas elector under
s. 6.24 (1) and who transmits an application for an official absentee ballot for any election no later than 30 days before election day may, at any election for national office in lieu of the official ballot, cast a write-in absentee ballot for any candidate for national office or for all of the candidates of any recognized political party for national office listed on the official ballot at the election if the write-in absentee ballot is received by the appropriate municipal clerk no later than the time prescribed in
s. 6.87 (6). The ballot shall contain the information required under
s. 5.55 whenever applicable and on the face shall indicate the type and date of election and shall list the offices to be filled. The ballot shall include a space under each office for the elector to write in the name of a candidate.
6.25(4)
(4) A write-in absentee ballot issued under
sub. (1),
(2) or
(3) is valid only if all of the following apply:
6.25(4)(a)
(a) The ballot is submitted from a location outside the United States.
6.25(4)(b)
(b) The elector submitting the ballot does not submit an official ballot within the time prescribed in
s. 6.87 (6).
6.25 History
History: 1987 a. 391;
1989 a. 192.
REGISTRATION
6.26(1)(1) Where registration is applicable under
s. 6.27, the municipal clerk or the board of election commissioners of each municipality shall administer elector registration within the municipality in accordance with the procedures prescribed under
sub. (3). The clerk or board of election commissioners shall prepare and maintain the registration list under this chapter.
6.26(2)(a)(a) A qualified elector of the state may apply to any municipal clerk or board of election commissioners to be appointed as a special registration deputy for the purpose of registering electors prior to the close of registration. An applicant may be appointed by more than one municipal clerk or board of election commissioners to serve more than one municipality.
6.26(2)(b)
(b) The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may appoint an applicant who qualifies under this subsection, unless the applicant's appointment has been revoked by a municipality for cause. A municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may revoke an appointment for cause at any time.
6.26(2)(c)
(c) No individual may serve as a special registration deputy in a municipality unless the individual is appointed by the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality.
6.26(3)
(3) The board shall, by rule, prescribe procedures for appointment of special registration deputies, for revocation of appointments of special registration deputies, and for training of special registration deputies by municipal clerks and boards of election commissioners. The procedures shall be formulated to promote increased registration of electors consistent with the needs of municipal clerks and boards of election commissioners to efficiently administer the registration process.
6.27
6.27
Where elector registration required. 6.27(1)
(1) Every municipality over 5,000 population shall keep a registration list consisting of all currently registered electors. Where used, registration applies to all elections.
6.27(2)
(2) By ordinance, the governing body in municipalities with less than 5,000 population may require registration.
6.27(3)
(3) Any municipality with less than 5,000 population and any municipality where a federal census has not yet determined the population may have registration by a referendum vote. The vote may be taken at the spring or general election whenever, at least 60 days before the election, the electors file with the municipal clerk a petition requesting a referendum asking whether registration shall be required. The petition shall conform to the requirements of
s. 8.40 and be signed by electors at least equal to 15% of the votes cast for governor in the municipality in the last general election.
6.27(4)(a)(a) When registration is ordered or directed under
sub. (2) or
(3), it may be abolished by a referendum vote. The vote may be taken at the spring or general election whenever, at least 60 days before the election, the electors file a petition conforming to the requirements of
s. 8.40 with the clerk requesting a referendum. The petition shall be signed by electors at least equal to 15% of the votes cast for governor in the municipality in the last general election.
6.27(4)(b)
(b) Notice shall be given as for municipal elections.
6.27(5)
(5) Whenever registration is established or abolished, under
sub. (2),
(3) or
(4), the municipal clerk shall immediately certify the action to the county clerk and the board.
6.275
6.275
Registration and voting statistics. 6.275(1)
(1) Within 30 days after each primary and election at which a state or national office is filled or a statewide referendum is held, including any special election, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall make a written statement in duplicate to the county clerk or board of election commissioners of each county in which the municipality is located specifying:
6.275(1)(a)
(a) The total number of electors residing in that county who voted in the municipality in that primary or election.
6.275(1)(b)
(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 which are postmarked by that day.
6.275(1)(c)
(c) Where registration applies, the total number of electors of the municipality residing in that county who registered after the close of registration and prior to the day of the primary or election under
s. 6.29.
6.275(1)(d)
(d) Where registration applies, the total number of electors of the municipality residing in that county who registered on the day of the primary or election under
s. 6.55.
6.275(1)(e)
(e) The total number of electors of the municipality voting absentee ballots at the primary or election.
6.275(2)
(2) Upon receipt of each report filed under this section, the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall forward one copy to the board within 7 days.
6.28
6.28
Where and when to register. 6.28(1)
(1)
Registration locations; deadline. 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. 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. Special registration deputies shall be appointed for all locations.
6.28(2)(a)(a) Public high schools shall be used for registration for enrolled students and members of the high school staff.
6.28(2)(b)
(b) The municipal clerk of each municipality in which elector registration is required shall notify the school board of each school district in which the municipality is located that high schools shall be used for registration pursuant to
par. (a). The school board and the municipal clerk shall agree upon the appointment of at least one qualified elector at each high school as a special school registration deputy. The municipal clerk shall appoint such person as a school registration deputy and explain the person's duties and responsibilities. Students and staff may register at the high school on any day that classes are regularly held. The school registration deputies shall promptly forward properly completed registration forms to the municipal clerk of the municipality in which the registering student or staff member resides. The municipal clerk, upon receiving such registration forms, shall add all those registering electors who have met the registration requirements to the registration list. The municipal clerk may reject any registration form and shall promptly notify the person whose registration is rejected of the rejection and the reason therefor. A person whose registration is rejected may reapply for registration if he or she is qualified. The form of each high school student who is qualified and will be eligible to vote at the next election shall be filed in such a way that when a student attains the age of 18 years the student is registered to vote automatically. Each school board shall assure that the principal of every high school communicates elector registration information to students.
6.28(2)(c)
(c) The principal of any private high school having a substantial number of students residing in a municipality may request the municipal clerk to establish registration dates when a special registration deputy will be present in the high school, or to appoint a special school registration deputy in accordance with
par. (b). The clerk shall establish registration dates or appoint a special school registration deputy in the high school if the clerk determines the school to have a substantial number of students residing in the municipality.
6.28(3)
(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 registration form 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.
6.29
6.29
Late registration in person. 6.29(1)
(1) No names may be added to a registration list for any election after the close of registration, except as authorized under this section or
s. 6.55 (2) or
(3). Any person whose name is not on the registration list but who is otherwise a qualified elector is entitled to vote at the election upon compliance with this section.
6.29(2)(a)(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. 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.
6.29(2)(b)
(b) Upon the filing of the registration form required by 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. The certificate shall be numbered serially, prepared in duplicate and one copy preserved in the office of the municipal clerk.
6.29(2)(c)
(c) The elector, at the time he or she appears at the correct polling place, shall deliver the certificate issued under
par. (b) to the inspectors. If the elector applies for and obtains an absentee ballot, the certificate shall be annexed to and mailed with the absentee ballot to the office of the municipal clerk.
6.29(2)(d)
(d) The inspectors shall record the names of electors who present certificates in person or for whom certificates are presented with absentee ballots under this section on the list maintained under
s. 6.56 (1). These names shall then be added to the registration list if the electors are qualified.
6.30
6.30
How to register. 6.30(1)(1)
In person. Registration applications shall be made in person, except under
subs. (2) to
(4).
6.30(2)
(2) When confined or disabled. A registration form for a qualified elector may be completed at the home or institution where an elector is confined because of physical illness or infirmity or where a disabled elector resides if the elector finds it difficult, due to such illness, infirmity or disability, to register in another manner. The form shall contain a certification by the elector that all statements are true and correct. A registration form for such an elector may be made in the presence of any individual who is authorized to register electors, or a form may be signed by the elector and witnessed by one other elector of the municipality and then mailed or delivered to the municipal clerk. The form shall contain a statement that the elector is confined because of physical illness or infirmity or is disabled and finds it difficult, due to such illness, infirmity or disability, to register in another manner.
6.30(3)
(3) When absent. Any elector who is located more than 50 miles from his or her legal voting residence may register before the close of registration for any election as follows:
6.30(3)(a)
(a) The elector shall secure the necessary blank registration form and instructions for its completion from the municipal clerk.
6.30(3)(b)
(b) [The elector shall certify that all statements are true and correct. The elector's certification shall be witnessed by 2 adult U.S. citizens or by an individual who is authorized to administer oaths, who shall sign the form.]
6.30(3)(c)
(c) The elector shall return the registration form to the clerk of the municipality where the elector resides. The form shall be prepostpaid for return when mailed at any point within the United States. To be eligible to vote in an election the form shall be received by the clerk prior to the close of the clerk's office on the registration deadline date for that election.
6.30(4)
(4) By mail. Any eligible elector who is located not more than 50 miles from his or her legal voting residence may register by mail on a form prescribed by the board and provided by each municipality. The form shall be designed to obtain the information required in
ss. 6.33 (1) and
6.40 (1) (a) and
(b). The form shall contain a certification by the elector that all statements are true and correct. The form shall be prepostpaid for return when mailed at any point within the United States, and shall be signed by a special registration deputy or shall be signed and substantiated by one other elector residing in the same municipality in which the registering elector resides, corroborating all material statements therein. The form shall be available in the municipal clerk's office and may be distributed by any elector of the municipality. The clerk shall mail a registration form to any elector upon written or oral request.
6.32
6.32
Verification of mail registrations. 6.32(1)
(1) Upon receipt of a registration form which is submitted by mail under
s. 6.30 (4), the municipal clerk shall examine the form for sufficiency.
6.32(2)
(2) 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, and request that the elector appear at the clerk's office or other registration center to complete a proper registration or substantiate the information presented.
6.32(3)
(3) If the form is submitted later than the close of registration, the clerk shall make a good faith effort to notify the elector that he or she may register at the clerk's office under
s. 6.29 or at the proper polling place or other location designated under
s. 6.55 (2).
6.32(4)
(4) 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 such 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".
6.325
6.325
Disqualification of electors. No person may be disqualified as an elector unless the municipal clerk, board of election commissioners or a challenging elector under
s. 6.48 demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that the person does not qualify as an elector or is not properly registered. If it appears that the elector or proposed elector is registered in another location, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may require the challenged elector to sign an authorization to cancel registration under
s. 6.40 (1) (b) and shall notify the proper official at that location. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may require naturalized applicants to show their naturalization certificates.
6.325 History
History: 1983 a. 484 s.
37;
1985 a. 304.
6.33
6.33
Registration forms. 6.33(1)(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. 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.
6.33(2)(a)(a) The information may be recorded by any person, but the 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.
6.33(2)(b)
(b) The registration form shall be signed by the registering elector and any corroborating elector under
s. 6.29 (2) (a),
6.30 (2) to
(4) 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.
6.33(3)
(3) The registration form may include a space for a voting record to be filled in by the municipal clerk. If the form does not include such a space, voting record information shall be maintained separately by the municipal clerk in such form that it may be retrieved by computer.
6.33(4)
(4) When an individual's registration is canceled, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall enter the date and reason for cancellation on the individual's registration form.
