SB612: Bill Text

SB612,18,14 5.68 (3m) The election administration council shall provide guidance to local units of government concerning the procurement of election apparatus, ballots, ballot forms, materials, and supplies for use in elections in this state to help ensure that competitive prices are obtained by those units of government.

SB612, s. 6 Section 6. 5.90 of the statutes, as affected by 2005 Wisconsin Act 92, is renumbered 5.90 (1) and amended to read:

SB612,19,7 5.90 (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, recounts of votes cast on an electronic voting system shall be conducted in the manner prescribed in s. 9.01. If Except as provided in sub. (2), if the ballots are distributed to the electors, the board of canvassers may elect to shall recount the ballots without the aid of with automatic tabulating equipment. If the board of canvassers elects to use automatic tabulating equipment, the The board of canvassers shall test the automatic tabulating equipment to be used prior to the recount as provided in s. 5.84, and then the official ballots or the record of the votes cast shall be recounted on the automatic tabulating equipment. In addition, the board of canvassers shall check the ballots for the presence or absence of the initials and other distinguishing marks, shall examine the ballots marked "Rejected", "Defective" and "Objected to" to determine the propriety of such labels, and shall compare the "Duplicate Overvoted Ballots" and "Duplicate Damaged Ballots" with their respective originals to determine the correctness of the duplicates. If electronic voting machines are used, the board of canvassers shall perform the recount using the permanent paper record of the votes cast by each elector, as generated by the machines.

SB612, s. 7 Section 7. 5.90 (2) and (3) of the statutes are created to read:

SB612,19,18 5.90 (2) Any candidate, or any elector when for a referendum, may, by the close of business on the next business day after the last day for filing a petition for a recount under s. 9.01, petition the circuit court for an order requiring ballots in readable form under sub. (1) to be counted by hand or by another method approved by the court. The petitioner in such an action bears the burden of establishing by clear and convincing evidence that due to an irregularity, defect, or mistake committed during the voting or canvassing process the results of a recount using automatic tabulating equipment will produce incorrect recount results and that there is a substantial probability that recounting the ballots by hand or another method will produce a more correct result and change the outcome of the election.

SB612,20,3 (3) A court with whom a petition under sub. (2) is filed shall hear the matter as expeditiously as possible, without a jury. The court may order a recount of the ballots by hand or another method only if it determines that the petitioner has established by clear and convincing evidence that due to an irregularity, defect, or mistake committed during the voting or canvassing process the results of a recount using automatic tabulating equipment will produce incorrect recount results and that there is a substantial probability that recounting the ballots by hand or another method will produce a more correct result and change the outcome of the election. Nothing in this section affects the right of a candidate or elector aggrieved by the recount to appeal to circuit court under s. 9.01 (6) upon completion of the recount.

SB612, s. 8 Section 8. 6.15 (2) (d) 1r. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,20,14 6.15 (2) (d) 1r. Upon proper completion of the application and cancellation card, the municipal clerk shall require the elector to provide acceptable proof of residence under s. 6.55 (7) 6.34. If the elector cannot provide acceptable proof of residence, the elector may have his or her residence corroborated in a statement that is signed by another elector of the municipality and that contains the current street address of the corroborating elector. If the residence is corroborated by another elector, that elector shall then provide proof of residence under s. 6.55 (7) 6.34. The elector shall then mark the ballot in the clerk's presence in a manner that will not disclose his or her vote. The elector shall then fold the ballot so as to conceal his or her vote. The clerk or elector shall then place the ballot in an envelope furnished by the clerk.

SB612, s. 9 Section 9. 6.15 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,21,7 6.15 (3) Procedure at polling place. An eligible elector may appear at the polling place for the ward or election district where he or she resides and make application for a ballot under sub. (2). Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an elector who casts a ballot under this subsection shall follow the same procedure required for casting a ballot at the municipal clerk's office under sub. (2). The inspectors shall perform the duties of the municipal clerk, except that the inspectors shall return the cancellation card under sub. (2) (b) to the municipal clerk and the clerk shall forward the card as provided in sub. (2) (c) if required. Upon proper completion of the application and cancellation card and submittal of acceptable proof of residence under s. 6.55 (7) 6.34 or providing corroboration of residence, the inspectors shall permit the elector to cast his or her ballot for president and vice president. The elector shall mark the ballot and, unless the ballot is utilized with an electronic voting system, the elector shall fold the ballot, and deposit the ballot into the ballot box or give it to the inspector. The inspector shall deposit it directly into the ballot box. Voting machines or ballots utilized with electronic voting systems may only be used by electors voting under this section if they permit voting for president and vice president only.

SB612, s. 10 Section 10. 6.15 (4) (a) to (d) of the statutes are amended to read:

SB612,21,13 6.15 (4) (a) Clerks holding new resident ballots shall deliver them to the election inspectors in the proper ward or election district where the new residents reside or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, to the municipal board of absentee ballot canvassers when it convenes under s. 7.52 (1), as provided by s. 6.88 for absentee ballots.

SB612,21,18 (b) During polling hours, the inspectors shall open each carrier envelope, announce the elector's name, check the affidavit for proper execution, and check the voting qualifications for the ward, if any. In municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, the municipal board of absentee ballot canvassers shall perform this function at a meeting of the board of absentee ballot canvassers.

SB612,21,21 (c) The inspectors or board of absentee ballot canvassers shall open the inner envelope without examination of the ballot other than is necessary to see that the issuing clerk has endorsed it.

SB612,22,2 (d) Upon satisfactory completion of the procedure under pars. (b) and (c) the inspectors or board of absentee ballot canvassers shall deposit the ballot in the ballot box. The inspectors or board of absentee ballot canvassers shall enter the name of each elector voting under this section on the poll list with an indication that the elector is voting under this section or on a separate list maintained for the purpose under s. 6.79 (2) (c).

SB612, s. 11 Section 11. 6.15 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,22,9 6.15 (6) Death of elector. When it appears by due proof to the inspectors or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, when it appears by due proof to the board of absentee ballot canvassers that a person voting under this section at an election has died before the date of the election, the inspectors or board of absentee ballot canvassers shall return the ballot with defective ballots to the issuing official.

SB612, s. 12 Section 12. 6.21 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,22,17 6.21 Deceased electors. When by due proof it appears to the inspectors or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, when by due proof it appears to the board of absentee ballot canvassers that a person voting under this section casting an absentee ballot at an election has died before the date of the election, they the inspectors or board of absentee ballot canvassers shall return the ballot with defective ballots to the issuing official. The casting of the ballot of a deceased elector does not invalidate the election.

SB612, s. 13 Section 13. 6.22 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,22,21 6.22 (2) (b) Notwithstanding s. 6.87 (4), a A military elector shall make and subscribe to the certification under s. 6.87 (2) before a witness who is an adult U.S. citizen.

SB612, s. 14 Section 14. 6.22 (4) of the statutes is renumbered 6.22 (4) (a) amended to read:

SB612,23,5 6.22 (4) (a) An A request for an absentee ballot by an individual who qualifies as a military elector may shall be treated as a request for an absentee ballot for any election, or for all elections until the individual otherwise requests or until the individual no longer qualifies as a military elector. Upon receiving a timely request for an absentee ballot under par. (b) by an individual who qualifies as a military elector, the municipal clerk shall send or transmit to the elector an absentee ballot for all elections that occur in the municipality or portion thereof where the elector resides beginning on the date that the clerk receives the request.

SB612,23,10 (b) A military elector's application may be received at any time. The municipal clerk shall not send a ballot for an election if the application is received later than 5 p.m. on the Friday preceding that election unless s. 6.87 (3) (d) applies. The municipal clerk shall send a ballot, as soon as available, to each military elector who requests a ballot.

SB612,23,18 (d) The board shall prescribe the instructions for marking and returning ballots and the municipal clerk shall enclose instructions with each ballot and shall also enclose supplemental instructions for local elections. 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. Each certificate envelope that is mailed or transmitted to a military elector under this section shall be clearly labeled as "Cast by a military elector under s. 6.22, Wis. stats., and may be eligible to be counted after election day".

SB612,24,4 (e) Whenever the material is mailed, the material shall be prepared and mailed to make use of the federal free postage laws. If the material does not qualify for mailing without postage under federal free postage laws, the municipal clerk shall pay the postage required for mailing to the military elector. If the return envelope qualifies for mailing free of postage under federal free postage laws, the clerk shall affix the appropriate legend required by U.S. postal regulations. Otherwise the municipal clerk shall pay the postage required for return when the ballot is mailed from within the United States. If the ballot is not mailed by the military elector from within the United States the military elector shall provide return postage. The mailing list established under this subsection shall be kept current in the same manner as provided in s. 6.86 (2) (b).

SB612, s. 15 Section 15. 6.22 (4) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB612,24,11 6.22 (4) (c) A military elector may indicate an alternate address on his or her absentee ballot application. If the elector's ballot is returned as undeliverable prior to the deadline for return of absentee ballots under s. 6.87 (6), and the elector remains eligible to receive absentee ballots under this section, the municipal clerk shall immediately send or transmit an absentee ballot to the elector at the alternate address.

SB612, s. 16 Section 16. 6.22 (4) (f) to (h) of the statutes are created to read:

SB612,24,25 6.22 (4) (f) If there occur 2 successive general elections at which a military elector fails to return an absentee ballot sent or transmitted to the elector under par. (a) and the elector has not cast an absentee ballot at any intervening election, if the municipal clerk is reliably informed that the elector is no longer a military elector or no longer resides in the municipality, or if the elector so requests, the clerk shall discontinue sending or transmitting absentee ballots to the elector under this subsection. If a military elector who has requested an absentee ballot changes his or her residence from the municipality where a request is filed to another municipality in this state, the municipal clerk of the municipality who received the request shall notify the clerk of the municipality to which the elector's residence is changed of the date of the request or the latest renewal under par. (g) and the date of the most recent absentee ballot received by the clerk. The municipal clerk who is so notified shall treat the request as having been made to him or her.

SB612,25,5 (g) Prior to any discontinuance of the service provided to a military elector under this subsection solely for failure to return absentee ballots, the municipal clerk shall mail the elector a 1st class letter or postcard notifying the elector that an absentee ballot will no longer be sent to the elector unless the elector renews his or her request within 30 days of the date of the notification.

SB612,25,8 (h) The municipal clerk shall notify a military elector of any action under par. (f) that is not taken at the elector's request within 5 days of taking that action, if possible.

SB612, s. 17 Section 17. 6.22 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,25,15 6.22 (5) Voting procedure. Except as authorized in sub. (5m) and s. 6.25, the ballot shall be marked and returned, deposited and recorded in the same manner as other absentee ballots. In addition, the certification under s. 6.87 (2) shall have a statement of the elector's birth date. Failure to return any unused ballots in a primary election does not invalidate the ballot on which the elector casts his or her votes.

SB612, s. 18 Section 18. 6.22 (5m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB612,25,23 6.22 (5m) Treatment of ballots received after close of polls. (a) A vote cast on a ballot cast under this section that is received by the municipal clerk after the close of the polls but before the deadline for filing a petition for a recount under s. 9.01 (1) (a) for the office for which the vote is cast shall be treated as valid if the envelope in which the ballot was received bears a postal service cancellation mark dated on or before the election day for which the ballot was cast, but may only be counted for purposes of a recount under s. 9.01.

SB612,26,4 (b) For purposes of par. (a), if a certificate envelope is not postmarked or has a postmark that is not legible to the municipal clerk, board of canvassers, or the board of absentee ballot canvassers in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, and the envelope was received by mail from the U.S. postal service, it is presumed that the envelope was placed in the mail on or before election day, unless established by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary.

SB612,26,11 (c) No later than the closing hour of the polls, the municipal clerk of each municipality shall post at his or her office, at any alternate site under s. 6.855, and on the Internet at a site announced by the clerk before the polls open, and shall make available to any person upon request, a statement of the number of absentee ballots that the clerk has mailed or transmitted to military electors under this section and that have not been returned by the closing hour on election day. The posting shall not include the names or addresses of any military electors.

SB612,26,18 (d) All ballots received by the municipal clerk under this subsection by the deadline specified in par. (a) shall be carefully preserved by the municipal clerk until destruction or other disposition is authorized under s. 7.23. If a petition for a recount is filed under s. 9.01, the clerk shall immediately notify the appropriate board of canvassers as to whether any absentee ballots that have been mailed or transmitted to military electors under this section have been received after the closing of the polls or have not been returned.

SB612,26,24 (dm) If the clerk notifies the board of canvassers that any ballots that have been mailed or transmitted to military electors under this section have not been returned, the board of canvassers shall not proceed with the recount until all such ballots have been returned to the clerk and transmitted to the board of canvassers, or 9 a.m. on the day following the last day for filing of a petition for the recount, whichever occurs first.

SB612,27,4 (e) The clerk shall transmit to the appropriate board of canvassers all ballots received under par. (a) by the clerk as soon as practicable after receiving the last ballot but in no case later than 9 a.m. on the day following the last day for filing a petition for the recount under s. 9.01.

SB612,27,10 (f) Whenever a board of canvassers conducting a recount receives absentee ballots cast by military electors as provided in par. (e), the board of canvassers shall first proceed to open and record the names of the military electors whose ballots have been received. If the ballot cast by a military elector is otherwise valid, the board of canvassers shall count the vote cast on the ballot for the office being recounted and shall adjust the original statements, certifications, and determinations accordingly.

SB612,27,12 (g) The board of canvassers shall then proceed with the recount under s. 9.01 (1) (b).

SB612, s. 19 Section 19. 6.24 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,27,21 6.24 (4) (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 send the ballot automatically if the registration form is received within the time prescribed in s. 6.28 (1). The board shall prescribe a special certificate 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). Notwithstanding s. 6.87 (4), an An overseas elector shall make and subscribe to the special certificate form before a witness who is an adult U.S. citizen.

SB612, s. 20 Section 20. 6.24 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,28,13 6.24 (6) Instructions and handling. The municipal clerk shall send 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 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. Except as authorized in s. 6.87 (3), the municipal clerk shall mail the material postage prepaid to any place in the world. The, with sufficient postage to ensure that the elector receives the ballot, unless the material qualifies for mailing free of postage under federal free postage laws. If the return envelope qualifies for mailing free of postage under federal free postage laws, the clerk shall affix the appropriate legend required by U.S. postal regulations. Otherwise, the municipal clerk shall pay the postage required for return when the ballot is mailed from within the United States. If the ballot is not mailed by the overseas elector from within the United States, the overseas elector shall provide return postage.

SB612, s. 21 Section 21. 6.25 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,28,23 6.25 (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) or, for purposes of a recount, within the period authorized in s. 6.22 (5m) (a).

SB612, s. 22 Section 22. 6.25 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,29,13 6.25 (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) or, for purposes of a recount, within the period authorized under s. 6.22 (5m) (a). 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.

SB612, s. 23 Section 23. 6.25 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,29,17 6.25 (4) (b) The elector submitting the ballot does not submit an official ballot within the time prescribed in s. 6.87 (6) or, for purposes of a recount, within the period authorized under s. 6.22 (5m) (a).

SB612, s. 24 Section 24. 6.26 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,29,23 6.26 (2) (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 or the individual is appointed by the elections board to serve all municipalities and the individual completes training required under s. 7.315.

SB612, s. 25 Section 25. 6.26 (2) (cm) of the statutes is created to read:

SB612,30,5 6.26 (2) (cm) The board and each municipal clerk shall maintain a record of the names and addresses of each individual who is appointed by the board or the clerk to serve as a special registration deputy under this section and who has complied with the training requirements for service as a special registration deputy under s. 7.315 (1) (b) 1.

SB612, s. 26 Section 26. 6.26 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,30,14 6.26 (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 coordinated with training programs for special registration deputies conducted by municipal clerks under s. 7.315 and 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.

SB612, s. 27 Section 27. 6.26 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

SB612,30,18 6.26 (4) Each special registration deputy under this section who obtains a registration form from an elector shall print his or her name on and sign the form, affirming that the deputy has accepted the form.

SB612, s. 28 Section 28. 6.275 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,30,22 6.275 (1) (c) 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 ss. 6.28 (1), 6.29, and 6.86 (3) (a) 2.

SB612, s. 29 Section 29. 6.276 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,30,25 6.276 (1) In this section, "military elector" and "overseas elector" have the meanings given in s. 6.36 (2) (c) 6.34 (1).

SB612, s. 30 Section 30. 6.28 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,31,24 6.28 (1) Registration locations; deadline. Except as authorized in ss. 6.29, 6.55 (2), and 6.86 (3) (a) 2., registration in person for any election shall close at 5 p.m. on the 2nd 3rd 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 3rd Wednesday preceding the election. An application for registration in person or by mail may be accepted for placement on the registration list after the specified deadline, if the municipal clerk determines that the registration list can be revised to incorporate the registration in time for 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 at the office of the county clerk, 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 each location unless the location can be sufficiently staffed by the board of election commissioners or the municipal clerk or his or her deputies. An elector who wishes to obtain a confidential listing under s. 6.47 (2) shall register at the office of the municipal clerk of the municipality where the elector resides.

SB612, s. 31 Section 31. 6.28 (3) of the statutes is repealed.

SB612, s. 32 Section 32. 6.28 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

SB612,32,10 6.28 (4) At the office of the county clerk. Any person shall be given an opportunity to register to vote at the office of the county clerk for the county in which the person's residence is located. An applicant may complete the required registration form under s. 6.33. Unless the county clerk performs registration functions for the municipality where the elector resides under s. 6.33 (5) (b), the county clerk shall forward the form submitted by an elector to the appropriate municipal clerk, or to the board of election commissioners in cities over 500,000 population within 5 days of receipt. The clerk shall forward the form immediately whenever registration closes within 5 days of receipt.

SB612, s. 33 Section 33 . 6.29 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,32,16 6.29 (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. 6.28 (1), 6.55 (2), or 6.86 (3) (a) 2. 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.

SB612, s. 34 Section 34. 6.29 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,33,14 6.29 (2) (a) Any qualified elector of a municipality who has not previously filed a registration form or whose name does not appear on the registration list of the municipality may register after the close of registration but not later than 5 p.m. or the close of business, whichever is later, on the day before an election at the office of the municipal clerk and at the office of the clerk's agent if the clerk delegates responsibility for electronic maintenance of the registration list to an agent under s. 6.33 (5) (b). The elector shall complete, in the manner provided under s. 6.33 (2), a registration form containing all information required under s. 6.33 (1). The registration form shall also contain the following certification: "I, ...., hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, I am a qualified elector, having resided at ... for at least 10 days immediately preceding this election, and I have not voted at this election". The elector shall also provide acceptable proof of residence under s. 6.55 (7) 6.34. Alternatively, if the elector is unable to provide acceptable proof of residence under s. 6.55 (7) 6.34, the information contained in the registration form shall be corroborated in a statement that is signed by any other elector of the municipality and that contains the current street address of the corroborating elector. The corroborating elector shall then provide acceptable proof of residence under s. 6.55 (7) 6.34. If the elector is registering after the close of registration for the general election and the elector presents a valid driver's license issued by another state, the municipal clerk or agent shall record on a separate list the name and address of the elector, the name of the state, and the license number and expiration date of the license.

SB612, s. 35 Section 35. 6.29 (2) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

SB612,34,4 6.29 (2) (am) The board shall provide to each municipal clerk a list prepared for use at each municipal clerk's office showing the name and address of each person whose name appears on the list provided by the department of corrections under s. 301.03 (20) as ineligible to vote on the date of the election, whose address is located in the municipality, and whose name does not appear on the registration list for that municipality. Prior to permitting an elector to register to vote under this subsection, the municipal clerk shall review the list. If the name of an elector who wishes to register to vote appears on the list, the municipal clerk shall inform the elector that the elector is ineligible to register to vote. If the elector maintains that he or she is eligible to vote in the election, the municipal clerk shall permit the elector to register to vote but shall mark the elector's registration form as "ineligible to vote per Department of Corrections." If the elector wishes to vote, the municipal clerk shall challenge the elector's ballot in the same manner as provided for inspectors who challenge ballots under s. 6.79 (2) (dm).

SB612, s. 36 Section 36. 6.29 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB612,34,14 6.29 (2) (b) Unless the municipal clerk determines that the registration list will be revised to incorporate the registration in time for the election, upon Upon the filing of the registration form required by this section, the municipal clerk or clerk's agent under s. 6.33 (5) (b) shall issue a certificate containing the name and address of the elector addressed to the inspectors of the proper ward or election district directing that the elector be permitted to cast his or her vote if the elector complies with all requirements for voting at the polling place. The certificate shall be numbered serially, prepared in duplicate and one copy preserved in the office of the municipal clerk.

SB612, s. 37 Section 37. 6.32 (title), (1) and (4) of the statutes are amended to read:

SB612,34,19 6.32 (title) Verification of mail certain registrations. (1) Upon receipt of a registration form which that is submitted by mail under s. 6.30 (4) or that is submitted by a special registration deputy appointed under s. 6.26, the municipal clerk shall examine the form for sufficiency.

SB612,35,4 (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, or both, if any, and polling place. The letter or postcard shall be sent within 10 days of receipt of the form. If the 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 change the status of the elector on the list from eligible to ineligible. The letter or postcard shall be marked in accordance with postal regulations to ensure that it will be returned to the clerk if the elector does not reside at the address given on the letter or postcard.

SB612, s. 38 Section 38. 6.33 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 2003 Wisconsin Act 265, section 49b, is amended to read:

SB612,36,15 6.33 (1) The municipal clerk shall supply sufficient registration forms as prescribed by the board shall prescribe the format, size, and shape of registration forms. All forms shall be printed on loose-leaf sheets or cards and each item of information shall be of uniform font size, as prescribed by the board. The municipal clerk shall supply sufficient form to meet voter registration needs. The forms shall be designed to obtain from each applicant information as to name; date; residence location; citizenship; date of birth; age; the number of a valid operator's license issued to the elector under ch. 343 or the last 4 digits of the elector's social security account number; 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; been convicted of a felony for which he or she has not been pardoned, and if so, whether the applicant is incarcerated, or on parole, probation, or extended supervision; whether the applicant is disqualified on any other ground from voting; and whether the applicant is currently registered to vote at any other location. The forms form shall also provide include a space for the applicant's signature and the signature of any corroborating elector. The form shall include a space to enter the name of any special registration deputy under s. 6.26 or 6.55 (6) or inspector, municipal clerk, or deputy clerk under s. 6.55 (2) who obtains the form and a space for the deputy, inspector, clerk, or deputy clerk to sign his or her name, affirming that the deputy, inspector, clerk, or deputy clerk has accepted the form. The form shall include a space for entry of the ward and aldermanic district, if any, where the elector resides and any other information required to determine the offices and referenda for which the elector is certified to vote. The forms form shall also include a space where the clerk may record an indication of whether the form is received by mail, a space where the clerk may record an indication of the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence under s. 6.34, whenever required, and a space where the clerk, for any applicant who possesses a valid voting identification card issued to the person under s. 6.47 (3), may record the identification serial number appearing on the voting identification card. 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 at the office of the register of deeds under s. 6.28 (3). Each county clerk shall obtain sufficient registration forms for completion by an elector who desires to register to vote at the office of the county clerk under s. 6.28 (4).

SB612, s. 39 Section 39. 6.33 (2) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2003 Wisconsin Act 265, section 49b, is amended to read:

SB612,37,3 6.33 (2) (a) All information may be recorded by any person, except that the ward and aldermanic district, if any, other geographic information under sub. (1), the indication of whether the registration is received by mail, the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence under s. 6.34, whenever required, and any information relating to an applicant's voting identification card shall be recorded by the clerk. Each 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.

SB612, s. 40 Section 40 . 6.34 of the statutes is created to read:

SB612,37,5 6.34 Proof of residence required.

SB612,37,16 (2) Except as authorized in ss. 6.29 (2) (a) and 6.86 (3) (a) 2., upon completion of a registration form prescribed under s. 6.33, each elector who is required to register under s. 6.27, who is not a military elector or an overseas elector and who registers after the close of registration under s. 6.29 or 6.86 (3) (a) 2., shall provide an identifying document that establishes proof of residence under sub. (3). Each elector who is required to register under s. 6.27 who is not a military elector or an overseas elector who registers by mail, and who has not voted in an election in this state shall, if voting in person, provide an identifying document that establishes proof of residence under sub. (3) or, if voting by absentee ballot, provide a copy of an identifying document that establishes proof of residence under sub. (3). If the elector registered by mail, the identifying document may not be a residential lease.

SB612,37,19 (3) (a) An identifying document used to establish proof of an elector's residence under sub. (2) shall contain the information required under par. (b) and is limited to one of the following: