AB542: Bill Text

AB542, s. 58 Section 58. 6.87 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,38,15 6.87 (3) (a) Except as authorized under par. (d) and as otherwise provided in s. ss. 6.873 and 6.875, the municipal clerk shall mail the absentee ballot postage prepaid for return to the elector's residence unless otherwise directed, or shall deliver it to the elector personally at the clerk's office.

AB542, s. 59 Section 59. 6.87 (4) of the statutes, as affected by 2003 Wisconsin Act 265, section 112a, is amended to read:

AB542,39,15 6.87 (4) Except as otherwise provided in s. 6.875, the elector voting absentee shall make and subscribe to the certification before one witness. The absent elector, in the presence of the witness, shall mark the ballot in a manner that will not disclose how the elector's vote is cast. The elector shall then, still in the presence of the witness, fold the ballots so each is separate and so that the elector conceals the markings thereon and deposit them in the proper envelope. If a consolidated ballot under s. 5.655 is used, the elector shall fold the ballot so that the elector conceals the markings thereon and deposit the ballot in the proper envelope. If the elector has registered by mail and has not, or is not certain whether the elector has, previously voted in an election for national office in this state, the elector shall enclose identification in the envelope or if the elector is voting at a satellite absentee voting station, shall provide identification to the special voting deputy. Identification is required if the elector is not a military elector or an overseas elector, as defined in s. 6.36 (2) (c), and the elector registered by mail and has not voted in an election for national office in this state. The elector may receive assistance under sub. (5). The return envelope shall then be sealed. The witness may not be a candidate. The envelope shall be mailed by the elector, postage prepaid, or delivered in person, to the municipal clerk issuing the ballot or ballots. Failure to return an unused ballot in a primary does not invalidate the ballot on which the elector's votes are cast. Return of more than one marked ballot in a primary or return of a ballot prepared under s. 5.655 or a ballot used with an electronic voting system in a primary which is marked for candidates of more than one party invalidates all votes cast by the elector for candidates in the primary.

AB542, s. 60 Section 60. 6.87 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,39,19 6.87 (6) The ballot shall be returned so it is received by the municipal clerk in time for delivery to the polls before the closing hour by 8 p.m. on election day. Any ballot not mailed or delivered as provided in this subsection may not be counted.

AB542, s. 61 Section 61. 6.873 of the statutes is created to read:

AB542,40,8 6.873 Absentee voting at satellite absentee voting stations. (1) Designation of satellite absentee voting stations. The governing body of any municipality may designate any location, other than the office of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners and other than a nursing or retirement home or community-based residential facility under s. 6.875, as a satellite absentee voting station where electors of the municipality may vote by absentee ballot. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may designate a satellite absentee voting station on private property only if the person who owns the property or otherwise has authority to consent to its use by the municipality consents to the designation and consents to the enforcement of s. 12.03 (2m) on property owned or controlled by the person. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall not designate a location as a satellite absentee voting station if there is a charge for the municipality to use the location.

AB542,40,21 (2) Special voting deputies. (a) Appointment. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall appoint at least one qualified elector as a special voting deputy to receive absentee ballots at each satellite absentee voting station designated under sub. (1). The appointment shall be made without regard to party affiliation. The special voting deputy shall be able to read and write the English language, be capable, and be of good understanding, and may not be a candidate for any office to be voted for at an election for which he or she serves. The governing body of the municipality may require a special voting deputy to have a general knowledge of the election laws. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may administer examinations to determine whether an individual qualifies for appointment under this paragraph. In coordination with the board, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall instruct the special voting deputy in the deputy's duties and responsibilities.

AB542,41,7 (b) Oath. Before performing his or her duties, each special voting deputy appointed under par. (a) shall file the oath required by s. 7.30 (5). In the oath, the individual shall swear that he or she is qualified to act as a deputy under this section, that he or she has read the statutes governing absentee voting, that he or she understands the proper absentee voting procedure, that he or she understands the penalties for noncompliance with the procedure under s. 12.13, that his or her sacred obligation will be to fully and fairly implement the absentee voting law and seek to have the intent of the electors ascertained. In addition, the oath shall state that the individual realizes that any error in conducting the voting procedure may result in invalidation of an elector's vote under s. 7.51 (2) (e) and that the individual realizes that absentee voting is a privilege and not a constitutional right.

AB542,41,11 (c) Term of office. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, each special voting deputy appointed under par. (a) shall hold office for 2 years and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may revoke a special voting deputy's appointment at any time.

AB542,42,2 (d) Authority and duties. For the purpose of ensuring compliance with this section and s. 6.285, each special voting deputy appointed under par. (a) has supervision over the satellite absentee voting station to which he or she is dispatched under sub. (3) (a). The special voting deputy is subject to the supervision of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners. The special voting deputy has full authority to maintain order and to enforce obedience to his or her lawful commands at any time during which absentee ballots may be cast at the voting station. The special voting deputy shall prevent any person from taking notice of how another person has voted, except when assistance is given under s. 6.87 (5). The special voting deputy shall enforce s. 5.35 (5) and shall prevent electioneering from taking place in violation of s. 12.03 (1m) or (2m). If any person refuses to obey the lawful commands of a special voting deputy, is disorderly in the presence or hearing of the special voting deputy, or interrupts or disturbs the proceedings, the special voting deputy may order any law enforcement officer to remove the person from the voting area or to take the person into custody.

AB542,42,10 (3) Operation of satellite absentee voting stations. (a) Operation. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may dispatch a special voting deputy appointed under sub. (2) to a satellite absentee voting station designated under sub. (1) for the purpose of permitting qualified electors of the municipality to vote by absentee ballot at that voting station. No satellite absentee voting station may be open for purposes of this subsection or s. 6.285 at any time before the official absentee ballots for the applicable election are prepared under s. 7.15 (1) (cm) or at any time after 5 p.m. on the day before the election.

AB542,42,21 (b) Supplies for satellite absentee voting stations. The board shall prescribe a special certificate envelope for use only at satellite absentee voting stations which shall include the notation "Identification submitted," followed by a space for the signature of the special voting deputy to whom the identification was submitted. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall issue a supply of absentee ballots and special certificate envelopes to the special voting deputy that is sufficient to provide for the number of valid applications that the clerk or board of election commissioners reasonably expects will be made at the satellite absentee voting station. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall keep a careful record of all ballots issued to the deputy and shall require the deputy to return every ballot that he or she is issued.

AB542,43,8 (c) Registration list. Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), each registration list prepared for use at a satellite absentee voting station shall contain the full name and address of each registered elector; if the list is prepared for use at an election for national office, an indication next to the name of each elector for whom identification is required under s. 6.36 (2); and a form of certificate bearing the certification of the executive director of the board stating that the list is a true and complete registration list of the municipality for which the list is prepared. Identification is required if the elector is not a military elector or an overseas elector and the elector registers by mail and has not previously voted in an election for national office in this state. The names and identification serial numbers of electors who have obtained a confidential listing under s. 6.47 (2) shall appear separately after the remainder of the list. These names and serial numbers shall be arranged alphabetically by last name.

AB542,43,10 (4) Absentee voting procedure. (a) Registration. A qualified elector may register under s. 6.285 (2) at the satellite absentee voting station.

AB542,43,13 (b) Eligibility. Any qualified elector of the municipality that designates a satellite absentee voting station under sub. (1) may vote by absentee ballot at the voting station.

AB542,43,21 (c) Identification. If identification is required under sub. (3) (c), the special voting deputy shall require the elector to provide identification. If identification is provided, the deputy shall verify that the name and address on the identification provided is the same as the name and address shown on the registration list or registration form submitted by the elector and shall sign the certificate envelope indicating that identification was submitted and verified. If identification is required and not provided, the deputy shall offer the opportunity for the elector to vote under s. 6.97.

AB542,43,25 (d) Voting procedure. 1. The special voting deputy shall enter a unique voting number after the name of each elector who votes under this section on the registration list or, if the elector's name does not appear on the list, on a separate list maintained under this subsection beginning with the number one.

AB542,44,8 2. If the registration list indicates that the elector is ineligible to vote because the elector's name appears on the current list provided by the department of corrections under s. 301.03 (20), the deputy shall inform the elector of this fact. If the elector maintains that he or she is eligible to vote in the election, the deputy shall provide the elector with a ballot and, after the elector casts his or her vote, shall challenge the ballot in the same manner as provided for inspectors making challenges under s. 6.92 and shall treat the ballot in the same manner as provided for treatment of challenged ballots by inspectors under s. 6.95.

AB542,44,15 3. The deputy shall than personally offer a qualified elector of the municipality, served by the deputy, who makes a proper application with the deputy the opportunity to cast his or her absentee ballot. The deputy shall write on the official ballot, in the space for the official endorsement, his or her initials and official title. The elector and a witness shall then make and subscribe to the certification on the certificate envelope and the elector shall vote the ballot in the manner prescribed in s. 6.87 (4).

AB542,44,17 4. The elector may receive assistance in marking the ballot as provided in s. 6.87 (5).

AB542,44,24 5. Notwithstanding s. 6.87 (4), the elector shall then seal the ballot inside the certificate envelope and give the sealed certificate envelope containing the ballot in an absentee ballot carrier envelope and shall promptly deliver the envelope to the deputy. The deputy shall place the sealed certificate envelope containing each ballot in an absentee ballot carrier envelope and shall promptly deliver the envelope to the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners in the manner specified by the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners.

AB542,45,5 (e) Challenge. Any elector may challenge for cause any person offering to cast an absentee ballot at a satellite absentee voting station whom the elector knows or suspects is not a qualified elector. The special voting deputy shall treat the challenge in the same manner as provided for inspectors making challenges under ss. 6.925, 6.94, and 6.95.

AB542, s. 62 Section 62. 6.88 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,45,16 6.88 (1) When an absentee ballot arrives at the office of the municipal clerk, the clerk shall enclose it, unopened, in a carrier envelope which shall be securely sealed and endorsed with the name and official title of the clerk, and the words "This envelope contains the ballot of an absent elector and must be opened at the polls during polling hours on election day a meeting of the municipal board of canvassers under s. 7.52". If the ballot was received by the elector by facsimile transmission or electronic mail and is accompanied by a separate certificate, the clerk shall enclose the ballot in a certificate envelope and securely append the completed certificate to the outside of the envelope before enclosing the ballot in the carrier envelope. The clerk shall keep the ballot in the clerk's office until delivered, as required in sub. (2).

AB542, s. 63 Section 63. 6.88 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,46,2 6.88 (2) When an absentee ballot is received by the municipal clerk prior to the delivery of the official ballots to the election officials of the ward in which the elector resides municipal board of canvassers, the municipal clerk shall seal the ballot envelope in the carrier envelope as provided under sub. (1), and shall enclose the envelope in a package and deliver the package to the election inspectors of the proper ward or election district. When the official ballots for the ward or election district have been delivered to the election officials before the receipt of an absentee ballot, the clerk shall immediately enclose the envelope containing the absentee ballot in a carrier envelope as provided under sub. (1) and deliver it in person to the proper election officials municipal board of canvassers when it convenes under s. 7.52.

AB542, s. 64 Section 64. 6.88 (3) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 7.52 (3) and amended to read:

AB542,47,2 7.52 (3) Any time between the opening and closing of the polls on election day, the inspectors The board of canvassers shall first open the carrier envelope only, and announce the name of the absent elector or the identification serial number of the absent elector if the elector has a confidential listing under s. 6.47 (2). When the inspectors find board of canvassers finds that the certification has been properly executed, the applicant is a qualified elector of the ward or election district, and the applicant has not voted in the election, they the board of canvassers shall enter an indication on the poll list next to the applicant's name indicating an absentee ballot is cast by the elector. They The board of canvassers shall then open the envelope containing the ballot in a manner so as not to deface or destroy the certification thereon. The inspectors board of canvassers shall take out the ballot without unfolding it or permitting it to be unfolded or examined. Unless the ballot is cast under s. 6.95, the inspectors board of canvassers shall verify that the ballot has been endorsed by the issuing clerk or special voting deputy. If the poll list indicates that identification is required and no identification is enclosed or the name or address on the document that is provided is not the same as the name and address shown on the poll list, the inspectors or if the ballot was cast under s. 6.873 and the envelope does not contain the signature of the special voting deputy to whom identification was provided, the board of canvassers shall proceed as provided under s. 6.97 (2). The inspectors board of canvassers shall then deposit the ballot into the proper ballot box and enter the absent elector's name or voting poll list number after his or her name on the poll list in the same manner as if the elector had been present and voted in person.

AB542, s. 65 Section 65. 6.88 (3) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 6.88 (3).

AB542, s. 66 Section 66. 6.93 (title) of the statutes is repealed.

AB542, s. 67 Section 67. 6.93 of the statutes is renumbered 7.52 (5) and amended to read:

AB542,47,9 7.52 (5) The vote of any absent elector may be challenged for cause and the inspectors of election municipal board of canvassers shall have all the power and authority given them the inspectors to hear and determine the legality of the ballot the same as if the ballot had been voted in person.

AB542, s. 68 Section 68. 6.935 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,47,14 6.935 Challenge based on incompetency. Section 6.03 (3) applies to any challenge of a person's right to vote under s. 6.92, 6.925 or 6.93 7.52 (5) based on an allegation that an elector is incapable of understanding the objective of the elective process and thereby ineligible to vote.

AB542, s. 69 Section 69. 6.97 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,48,22 6.97 (1) Whenever any individual who is required to provide identification in order to be permitted to vote appears to vote at a polling place or satellite absentee voting station and cannot provide the required identification, or the individual has not provided identification as provided in s. 7.52 (3), the inspectors shall offer the opportunity for the individual to vote under this section. If the individual wishes to vote, the inspectors shall provide the elector with an envelope marked "Ballot under s. 6.97, stats.," on which the serial number of the elector is entered and shall require the individual to execute on the envelope a written affirmation stating that the individual is a qualified elector of the ward or election district where he or she offers to vote and is eligible to vote in the election. The inspectors shall, before giving the elector a ballot, write on the back of the ballot the serial number or registration list number under s. 6.873 (4) (d) 1. of the individual corresponding to the number kept at the election on the poll list or registration list or other list maintained under s. 6.79 or s. 6.873 (4) (d) 1. and the notation "s. 6.97". If voting machines are used in the municipality where the individual is voting, the individual's vote may be received only upon an absentee ballot furnished by the municipal clerk which shall have the corresponding number from the poll list or other list maintained under s. 6.79 (2) (c), or the registration list if the elector is voting under s. 6.873 (4), and the notation "s. 6.97" written on the back of the ballot by the inspectors or special voting deputy before the ballot is given to the elector. When receiving the individual's ballot, the inspectors or special voting deputy shall provide the individual with written voting information prescribed by the board under s. 7.08 (8). The inspectors or special voting deputy shall indicate on the list the fact that the individual is required to provide identification but did not do so. The inspectors or special voting deputy shall notify the individual that he or she may provide identification to the municipal clerk or executive director of the municipal board of election commissioners. The inspectors or special voting deputy shall also promptly notify the municipal clerk or executive director of the name, address, and either the serial number or, if voting under s. 6.873 (4), the registration list number of the individual. The inspectors or special voting deputy shall then place the ballot inside the certificate envelope on which the elector's serial number or registration list number has been entered and place the that envelope in a separate carrier envelope.

AB542, s. 70 Section 70. 6.97 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,49,11 6.97 (2) Whenever any individual who votes by absentee ballot is required to provide identification in order to be permitted to vote and does not provide the required identification, the inspectors municipal board of canvassers shall write on the back of the absentee ballot the serial number of the individual corresponding to the number kept at the election on the poll list or other list maintained under s. 6.79 and the notation "s. 6.97". The inspectors board of canvassers shall indicate on the poll list the fact that the individual is required to provide identification but did not do so. The inspectors board of canvassers shall promptly notify the municipal clerk or executive director of the municipal board of election commissioners of the name, address, and serial poll list number of the individual. The inspectors board of canvassers shall then place the ballot inside an envelope on which the name and serial number of the elector is entered and shall place the envelope in a separate carrier envelope.

AB542, s. 71 Section 71. 7.03 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,49,24 7.03 (1) (a) Except as authorized under this paragraph, a reasonable daily compensation shall be paid to each inspector, voting machine custodian, automatic tabulating equipment technician, member of a board of canvassers, messenger, and tabulator who is employed and performing duties under chs. 5 to 12. Daily compensation shall also be provided to officials inspectors and inspector trainees for attendance at training programs conducted by the board under s. 7.31. Alternatively, such election officials and trainees may be paid by the hour at a proportionate rate for each hour actually worked. Any election official or trainee may choose to volunteer his or her services by filing with the municipal clerk of the municipality in which he or she serves a written declination to accept compensation. The volunteer status of the election official or trainee remains effective until the official or trainee files a written revocation with the municipal clerk.

AB542, s. 72 Section 72. 7.03 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,50,7 7.03 (1) (d) Except as otherwise provided in par. (a), special registration deputies appointed under s. 6.285 (1) or 6.55 (6), special voting deputies appointed under s. 6.873 (2) or 6.875 (4), and officials and trainees who attend training sessions under s. 7.15 (1) (e) or, 7.25 (5), and 7.31 may also be compensated by the municipality where they serve at the option of the municipality. Employees of the department of transportation who are designated as special registration deputies under s. 6.28 (4) shall serve without additional compensation.

AB542, s. 73 Section 73. 7.08 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,50,13 7.08 (1) (c) Prescribe forms required by ss. 5.35 (6) (b) and (c), 6.24 (3) and (4), 6.30 (4), 6.33 (1) and (1m) (a), 6.36 (1) (b) 1. am., 6.40 (1) (a), 6.47 (1) (a) 2. and (3), 6.55 (2) and (3), and 6.86 (2) and (3), and 6.873 (3) (b). All such forms shall contain a statement of the penalty applicable to false or fraudulent registration or voting through use of the form. Forms are not required to be furnished by the board.

AB542, s. 74 Section 74. 7.08 (9) of the statutes is created to read:

AB542,50,16 7.08 (9) Municipal maps. From the appropriation under s. 20.510 (1) (e) or (x), pay for the cost of municipal maps that are required to be posted under s. 5.35 (6) (c).

AB542, s. 75 Section 75. 7.16 of the statutes is created to read:

AB542,51,2 7.16 Election day plans. (1) With the advice of the board, each municipal clerk and board of election commissioners shall transmit for the approval of each municipal governing body, a proposed plan for the administration of the election in the municipality. The plan shall be transmitted at least 60 days before each regularly scheduled election and at least 35 days before each special election that is not held concurrently with a regularly scheduled election, regardless of whether the election has been scheduled by the municipality. The governing body shall review and approve a plan for this purpose no later than 42 days before each regularly scheduled election and no later than 21 days before each special election that is not held concurrently with a regularly scheduled election.

AB542,51,3 (2) Each plan under sub. (1) shall include the following elements:

AB542,51,5 (a) The methods to be used by the municipality for preelection education of electors concerning voting eligibility and procedures.

AB542,51,7 (b) The methods that the municipality intends to use to ensure adequate staffing for preelection activities and activities on election day.

AB542,51,9 (c) The measures that the municipality will use to ensure the orderly and efficient flow of electors at each polling place in the municipality.

AB542,51,12 (d) A reasonable projection of voter turnout at the election in the municipality and contingency plans that the municipality will use to address any turnout that significantly exceeds the projection.

AB542,51,14 (e) The management controls that the municipality will use to ensure accountable and orderly processes at the election.

AB542,51,16 (f) The specific procedure that the municipality will use to conduct the postelection review required under s. 7.18.

AB542, s. 76 Section 76. 7.17 of the statutes is created to read:

AB542,51,21 7.17 Waiting time for voting. Each municipality shall implement procedures to attempt to ensure that no elector who appears to vote at a polling place for any election to be held in the municipality is required to wait more than 30 minutes before being permitted to vote.

AB542, s. 77 Section 77. 7.18 of the statutes is created to read:

AB542,52,6 7.18 Postelection performance reviews. After each election, including each primary and special election, that is held in a municipality, each municipal clerk and board of election commissioners shall conduct a postelection performance review of the processes that the municipality used to conduct the election. The review shall include an analysis of whether all relevant laws were complied with, an assessment of whether the municipality achieved the goal under s. 7.17 to ensure a maximum waiting time of 30 minutes at polling places and if not, how the goal can be achieved at the next comparable election, and any steps that the municipality must take to improve the administration of the next election to be held in the municipality.

AB542, s. 78 Section 78. 7.30 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 7.30 (1) (a) and amended to read:

AB542,53,2 7.30 (1) (a) There Except as required under par. (b) at the general election, there shall be 7 inspectors for each polling place at each election. In Except as required under par. (b), in municipalities where voting machines are used, the municipal governing body may reduce the number of inspectors to 5. A municipal governing body may provide for the appointment of additional inspectors whenever more than one voting machine is used or wards are combined under s. 5.15 (6) (b). A municipal governing body may provide by ordinance for the selection of alternate officials or the selection of 2 or more sets of officials to work at different times on election day, and may permit the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners to establish different working hours for different officials assigned to the same polling place. Alternate Each municipality shall also provide by ordinance for the selection of alternate officials shall also be appointed in a number sufficient to provide at least one alternate at each polling place and as otherwise needed to maintain adequate staffing of polling places. Unless at each election. Except for inspectors who are appointed under par. (b) and officials who are are appointed without regard to party affiliation under sub. (4) (c), additional officials shall be appointed in such a manner that the total number of officials is an odd number and the predominant party under sub. (2) is represented by one more official than the other party.

AB542, s. 79 Section 79. 7.30 (1) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB542,53,9 7.30 (1) (b) Each municipality shall at every general election and may at any other election appoint one additional inspector to serve at each polling place without regard to party affiliation who shall serve as a greeter to answer questions and to direct electors to the proper locations for registration and voting and who shall be available to substitute for other election officials who must leave the room during the voting process.

AB542, s. 80 Section 80. 7.30 (2) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2005 Wisconsin Act .... (Assembly Bill 61), is amended to read:

AB542,54,14 7.30 (2) (a) Only election officials appointed under this section or s. 6.873 or 6.875 may conduct an election. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph and in s. 7.15 (1) (k), each election official shall be a qualified elector of the ward or wards, or the election district, for which the polling place is established. A special registration deputy who is appointed under s. 6.55 (6) or an election official who is appointed under this section to fill a vacancy under par. (b) need not be a resident of the ward or wards, or the election district, but shall be a resident of the municipality, except that if a municipal clerk or deputy clerk serves as a registration deputy or is appointed to fill a vacancy under par. (b), the clerk or deputy clerk need not be a resident of the municipality, but shall be a resident of the state. No more than 2 individuals holding the office of clerk or deputy clerk may serve without regard to municipal residency in any municipality at any election. Special registration deputies who are appointed under s. 6.55 (6) may be appointed to serve more than one polling place. All officials appointed under this section shall be able to read and write the English language, be capable, and be of good understanding, and may not be a candidate for any office to be voted for at an election at which they serve. In 1st class cities, they may hold no public office other than notary public. Except as required under sub. (1) (b) and as authorized under sub. (4) (c), all inspectors shall be affiliated with one of the 2 recognized political parties which received the largest number of votes for president, or governor in nonpresidential general election years, in the ward or combination of wards served by the polling place at the last election. The Excluding the inspector who is appointed under sub. (1) (b), the party which received the largest number of votes is entitled to one more inspector than the party receiving the next largest number of votes at each polling place. The same election Election officials appointed under this section may serve the electors of more than one ward where wards are combined under s. 5.15 (6) (b). If a municipality is not divided into wards, the ward requirements in this paragraph apply to the municipality at large.

AB542, s. 81 Section 81. 7.30 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,55,2 7.30 (2) (b) When a vacancy occurs in an office under this section, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the municipal clerk. The vacancy shall be filled from the remaining names on the lists submitted under sub. (4) or from additional names submitted by the chairperson of the county party committee of the appropriate party under sub. (4) whenever names are submitted under sub. (4) (d). If the vacancy is due to candidacy, sickness or any other temporary cause, the appointment shall be a temporary appointment and effective only for the election at which the temporary vacancy occurs. The same qualifications shall be required of persons who fill vacancies. Vacancies may be filled in cases of emergency or because of time limitations by a person from another aldermanic district or ward within the municipality.

AB542, s. 82 Section 82. 7.30 (2) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 2005 Wisconsin Act .... (Assembly Bill 61), is amended to read:

AB542,55,19 7.30 (2) (b) When a vacancy occurs, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the municipal clerk. The Unless the vacancy occurs in the position of an inspector appointed under sub. (1) (b), the vacancy shall be filled from the remaining names on the lists submitted under sub. (4) or from additional names submitted by the chairperson of the county party committee of the appropriate party under sub. (4) whenever names are submitted under sub. (4) (d). If the vacancy is due to candidacy, sickness or any other temporary cause, the appointment shall be a temporary appointment and effective only for the election at which the temporary vacancy occurs. The same qualifications that applied to original appointees shall be required of persons who fill vacancies, except that a vacancy may be filled in cases of emergency or because of time limitations by a person who resides in another aldermanic district or ward within the municipality, and if a municipal clerk or deputy clerk fills the vacancy, the clerk or deputy, but not more than a total of 2 individuals in any municipality, may serve without regard to the clerk's or deputy's municipality of residence, if the clerk or deputy meets the other qualifications.

AB542, s. 83 Section 83. 7.30 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,55,25 7.30 (2) (c) The governing body of any municipality may require all persons serving as election officials to prove their ability to read and write English and to have a general knowledge of the election laws. Examinations may be given to prove the qualifications can be met. The municipal clerk shall coordinate all training procedures and requirements with the board.

AB542, s. 84 Section 84. 7.30 (4) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,56,5 7.30 (4) (b) (intro.) The 2 dominant parties, under sub. (2), are each responsible for submitting a list of names from which the all appointees to inspector positions, other than appointees to inspector positions required under sub. (1) (b), shall be chosen.

AB542, s. 85 Section 85. 7.30 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,56,20 7.30 (4) (c) For Except with respect to inspectors who are appointed under sub. (1) (b), for so long as nominees are made available by the political parties under this section, appointments may be made only from the lists of submitted nominees. If the lists are not submitted by November 30 of the year in which appointments are to be made, the board of election commissioners shall appoint, or the mayor, president or chairperson of a municipality shall nominate qualified persons whose names have not been submitted. If an insufficient number of nominees appears on the lists as of November 30, the board of election commissioners shall similarly appoint, or the mayor, president or chairperson shall similarly nominate sufficient individuals to fill the remaining vacancies. In addition, the mayor, president, or board chairperson of the municipality shall similarly nominate qualified persons to serve in the inspector positions required under sub. (1) (b). Any appointment which is made due to the lack of availability of names submitted under par. (b) may be made without regard to party affiliation.

AB542, s. 86 Section 86. 7.30 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,57,8 7.30 (6) (b) Prior to the first election following the appointment of the inspectors, the municipal clerk shall appoint one of the inspectors at each polling place, other than the inspector who is appointed under sub. (1) (b), to serve as chief inspector. No person may serve as chief inspector at any election who is not certified by the board under s. 7.31 at the time of the election. The chief inspector shall hold the position for the remainder of the term unless the inspector is removed by the clerk or the inspector ceases to be certified under s. 7.31, except that whenever. Whenever wards are combined or separated under s. 5.15 (6) (b), the municipal clerk shall appoint another inspector who is certified under s. 7.31 to serve as chief inspector at each polling place designated under s. 5.15 (6) (b). If a vacancy occurs in the position of chief inspector at any polling place, the municipal clerk shall appoint one of the other inspectors who is certified under s. 7.31 to fill the vacancy.

AB542, s. 87 Section 87. 7.30 (6) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,57,15 7.30 (6) (c) If any election official appointed under this section lacks the qualifications set forth in this section, fails to attend training sessions required under s. 7.15 (1) (e) unless excused therefrom, is guilty of neglecting his or her official duties or commits official misconduct, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall summarily remove the official from office and the vacancy shall be filled under sub. (2) (b).

AB542, s. 88 Section 88. 7.31 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB542,57,18 7.31 (title) Training and certification of chief inspectors election officials, special voting deputies, and special registration deputies .

AB542, s. 89 Section 89. 7.31 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 7.31 (1r) and amended to read:

AB542,58,2 7.31 (1r) The board shall, by rule, prescribe requirements for certification of individuals to serve as chief inspectors election officials at polling places in an election, to serve as special voting deputies under ss. 6.873 and 6.875 and to serve as special registration deputies under s. 6.26. The requirements shall include attendance at one or more training sessions produced and conducted by the board under this section. The requirements shall not include taking an examination.

AB542, s. 90 Section 90. 7.31 (1g) of the statutes is created to read:

AB542,58,7 7.31 (1g) The board shall produce and periodically reissue as necessary a video program for the purpose of training election officials, special voting deputies, and special registration deputies under s. 6.26. The board shall make the program available for viewing electronically through an Internet-based system.

AB542, s. 91 Section 91. 7.31 (2) to (5) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB542,58,13 7.31 (2) No individual may serve as a chief inspector an election official at a polling place in an election, no person may serve as a special voting deputy under s. 6.873 or 6.875, and no individual may serve as a special registration deputy under s. 6.26 unless the individual is certified by the board to hold that office on at the date of the election time at which the individual serves.