7.15 (1) (g) Report suspected election frauds, irregularities or violations of which the clerk has knowledge to the district attorney for the county where the suspected activity occurs and to the board.
1,35
Section
35. 7.21 (2m) of the statutes is repealed.
1,36
Section
36. 7.31 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
7.31 (5) The board shall conduct regular training programs to ensure that individuals who are certified by the board under this section are knowledgeable concerning their authority and responsibilities. The board shall pay all costs required to conduct the training programs from the appropriation under s. 20.510 (1) (bm) 20.511 (1) (bm).
1,37
Section
37. 7.60 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
7.60 (4) (a) The board of canvassers shall make separate duplicate statements showing the numbers of votes cast for the offices of president and vice president; state officials; U.S. senators and representatives in congress; state legislators; justice; court of appeals judge; circuit judges; district attorneys; and metropolitan sewerage commissioners, if the commissioners are elected under s. 200.09 (11) (am). If a municipal judge elected under s. 755.01 (4) serves a municipality that is located partially within the county and candidates for that judgeship file nomination papers in another county, the board of canvassers shall prepare a duplicate statement showing the numbers of votes cast for that judgeship in that county for transmittal to the other county. For partisan candidates, the statements shall include the political party or principle designation, if any, next to the name of each candidate. The board of canvassers shall also prepare a statement showing the results of any county, technical college district, or statewide referendum. Each statement shall state the total number of votes cast in the county for each office; the names of all persons for whom the votes were cast, as returned; the number of votes cast for each person; and the number of votes cast for and against any question submitted at a referendum. The board of canvassers shall use one copy of each duplicate statement to report to the elections government accountability board, technical college district board, or board of canvassers of any other county and shall file the other statement in the office of the county clerk or board of election commissioners.
1,38
Section
38. 7.60 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
7.60 (5) Reporting. (a) Immediately following the canvass, the county clerk shall deliver or send to the elections government accountability board, by 1st class mail, a certified copy of each statement of the county board of canvassers for president and vice president, state officials, senators and representatives in congress, state legislators, justice, court of appeals judge, circuit judge, district attorney, and metropolitan sewerage commissioners, if the commissioners are elected under s. 200.09 (11) (am). The statement shall record the returns for each office or referendum by ward, unless combined returns are authorized under s. 5.15 (6) (b) in which case the statement shall record the returns for each group of combined wards. Following primaries the county clerk shall enclose on forms prescribed by the elections
government accountability board the names, party or principle designation, if any, and number of votes received by each candidate recorded in the same manner. The county clerk shall deliver or transmit the certified statement to the elections government accountability board no later than 7 days after each primary except the September primary, no later than 10 days after the September primary and any other election except the general election, and no later than 14 days after the general election. The board of canvassers shall deliver or transmit a certified copy of each statement for any technical college district referendum to the secretary of the technical college district board.
(b) If the board of canvassers becomes aware of a material mistake in the canvass of an election for state or national office or a statewide or technical college district referendum prior to the close of business on the day the elections government accountability board receives returns from the last county board of canvassers with respect to that canvass, the board of canvassers may petition the elections government accountability board to reopen and correct the canvass. The elections government accountability board shall direct the canvass to be reopened and corrected if it determines that the public interest so requires. If the elections government accountability board directs the canvass to be reopened, the board of canvassers shall reconvene and transmit a certified corrected copy of the canvass statement to the elections government accountability board or secretary of the technical college district board.
1,39
Section
39. 7.70 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
7.70 (1) Recording and preserving returns. (a) Upon receipt of the certified statements from the county clerks, the elections board shall record the election results by counties and file and carefully preserve the statements.
(b) If any county clerk fails or neglects to forward any statements, the elections board may require the clerk to do so immediately and if not received by the 8th day after a primary, or by the 11th day after any other election, the elections board may dispatch a special messenger to obtain them. Whenever it appears upon the face of any statement that an error has been made in reporting or computing, the elections board may return it to the county clerk for correction.
1,40
Section
40. 7.70 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
7.70 (5) Certificates of election. (a) The board shall record in its office each certified statement and determination made by the chairperson of the board or the chairperson's designee. Immediately after the expiration of the time allowed to file a petition for recount, the board shall make and transmit to each person declared elected a certificate of election under the seal of the board. It shall also prepare similar certificates, attested by the executive director administrator of the elections division of the board, addressed to the U.S. house of representatives, stating the names of those persons elected as representatives to the congress from this state. In the case of U.S. senators, the board shall prepare a certificate of election for the governor's signature, and the governor shall sign and affix the great seal of the state and transmit the certificate to the president of the U.S. senate. The certificate shall be countersigned by the secretary of state. If a person elected was elected to fill a vacancy, the certificate shall so state. When a valid petition for recount is filed, the chairperson of the board or the chairperson's designee may not certify a nomination, and the governor or board may not issue a certificate of election until the recount has been completed and the time allowed for filing an appeal has passed, or if appealed until the appeal is decided.
(b) For presidential electors, the elections board shall prepare a certificate showing the determination of the results of the canvass and the names of the persons elected, and the governor shall sign, affix the great seal of the state, and transmit the certificate by registered mail to the U.S. administrator of general services. The governor shall also prepare 6 duplicate originals of such certificate and deliver them to one of the presidential electors on or before the first Monday after the 2nd Wednesday in December.
1,41
Section
41. 8.05 (1) (j) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
8.05 (1) (j) 3. A candidate for municipal judge shall, in addition to making the filings required under subd. 2., file a statement of economic interests with the ethics board under s. 19.43 (4) no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 5th day after notification of nomination is mailed or personally delivered to the candidate, or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the next business day after the last day for filing a declaration of candidacy whenever that candidate is granted an extension of time for filing a declaration of candidacy under subd. 2.
1,42
Section
42. 8.10 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
8.10 (5) Nomination papers shall be accompanied by a declaration of candidacy under s. 8.21. If a candidate has not filed a registration statement under s. 11.05 at the time he or she files nomination papers, the candidate shall file the statement with the papers. A candidate for state office or municipal judge shall also file a statement of economic interests with the ethics board under s. 19.43 (4) no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd day following the last day for filing nomination papers under sub. (2) (a), or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the next business day after the last day whenever that candidate is granted an extension of time for filing nomination papers under sub. (2) (a).
1,43
Section
43. 8.15 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
8.15 (4) (b) Nomination papers shall be accompanied by a declaration of candidacy under s. 8.21. If a candidate for state or local office has not filed a registration statement under s. 11.05 at the time he or she files nomination papers, the candidate shall file the statement with the papers. A candidate for state office shall also file a statement of economic interests with the ethics board under s. 19.43 (4) no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd day following the last day for filing nomination papers under sub. (1), or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the next business day after the last day whenever that candidate is granted an extension of time for filing nomination papers under sub. (1).
1,44
Section
44. 8.18 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
8.18 (2) The purpose of the convention is to nominate one presidential elector from each congressional district and 2 electors from the state at large. The names of the nominees shall be certified immediately by the chairperson of the state committee of each party to the chairperson of the elections board.
1,45
Section
45. 8.20 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
8.20 (6) Nomination papers shall be accompanied by a declaration of candidacy under s. 8.21. If a candidate for state or local office has not filed a registration statement under s. 11.05 at the time he or she files nomination papers, the candidate shall file the statement with the papers. A candidate for state office shall also file a statement of economic interests with the ethics board under s. 19.43 (4) no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd day following the last day for filing nomination papers under sub. (8) (a), or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the next business day after the last day whenever that candidate is granted an extension of time for filing nomination papers under sub. (8) (a).
1,46
Section
46. 8.30 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:
8.30 (2m) The official or agency with whom nomination papers and declarations of candidacy are required to be filed shall not place a candidate's name on the ballot if the candidate's name is ineligible for ballot placement under s. 5.05 (2m) (d) 2. or 15.60 (6).
1,47
Section
47. 8.50 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
8.50 (3) (a) Nomination papers may be circulated no sooner than the day the order for the special election is filed and shall be filed not later than 5 p.m. 28 days before the day that the special primary will or would be held, if required, except when a special election is held concurrently with the spring election or general election, the deadline for filing nomination papers shall be specified in the order and the date shall be no earlier than the date provided in s. 8.10 (2) (a) or 8.15 (1), respectively, and no later than 35 days prior to the date of the spring or September primary. Nomination papers may be filed in the manner specified in s. 8.10, 8.15, or 8.20. Each candidate shall file a declaration of candidacy in the manner provided in s. 8.21 no later than the latest time provided in the order for filing nomination papers. If a candidate for state or local office has not filed a registration statement under s. 11.05 at the time he or she files nomination papers, the candidate shall file the statement with the papers. A candidate for state office shall also file a statement of economic interests with the ethics board no later than the end of the 3rd day following the last day for filing nomination papers specified in the order.
1,48
Section
48. 8.50 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
8.50 (3) (e) In a special election for a state or national office, the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall transmit the statement of the county board of canvassers to the elections government accountability board no later than 7 days after the special primary and 13 days after the special election.
1,49
Section
49. 9.01 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
9.01 (1) (a) 1. Any candidate voted for at any election or any elector who voted upon any referendum question at any election may petition for a recount. The petitioner shall file a verified petition or petitions with the proper clerk or body under par. (ar) not earlier than the time of completion of the canvass and not later than 5 p.m. on the 3rd business day following the last meeting day of the municipal or county board of canvassers determining the election for that office or on that referendum question prior to issuance of any amended return under s. 6.221 (6) (b) or, if more than one board of canvassers makes the determination, not later than 5 p.m. on the 3rd business day following the last meeting day of the last board of canvassers which makes a determination prior to issuance of any amended return under s. 6.221 (6) (b). If the chairperson of the board or chairperson's designee makes the determination for the office or the referendum question, the petitioner shall file the petition not earlier than the last meeting day of the last county board of canvassers to make a statement in the election or referendum and not later than 5 p.m. on the 3rd business day following the day on which the elections government accountability board receives the last statement from a county board of canvassers for the election or referendum.
1,50
Section
50. 9.01 (1) (ag) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
9.01 (1) (ag) 4. The board shall deposit all moneys received by it into the account under s. 20.510 20.511 (1) (g), and shall pay the fees required for each recount to the county clerks of the counties in which the recount is to be held. The county clerk shall deposit fees received by him or her with the county treasurer. The municipal clerk shall deposit fees received by him or her with the municipal treasurer.
1,51
Section
51. 9.01 (1) (ar) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
9.01 (1) (ar) 2. In the event of a recount for a referendum, the petition shall be filed with the clerk of the jurisdiction in which the referendum is called, and, in the case of the state, with the elections board.
1,52
Section
52. 9.01 (10) of the statutes is amended to read:
9.01 (10) Standard forms and methods. The elections government accountability board shall prescribe standard forms and procedures for the making of recounts under this section. The procedures prescribed by the elections government accountability board shall require the boards of canvassers in recounts involving more than one board of canvassers to consult with the elections government accountability board staff prior to beginning any recount in order to ensure that uniform procedures are used, to the extent practicable, in such recounts.
1,53
Section
53. 10.06 (1) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
10.06 (1) (title) Elections
Government accountability board.
1,54
Section
54. 11.21 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
11.21 (title) Duties of the elections government accountability board.
1,55
Section
55. 11.21 (7) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
11.21 (7) (intro.) Include in its biennial report under s. 5.05 (5) 15.04 (1) (d) compilations of any of the following in its discretion:
1,56
Section
56. 11.22 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
11.22 (4) Notify the board and the district attorney, or the attorney general where appropriate under ss. 11.60 (4) and 11.61 (2) s. 5.05 (2m) (i), in writing, of any facts within the filing officer's knowledge or evidence in the officer's possession, including errors or discrepancies in reports or statements and delinquencies in filing which may be grounds for civil action or criminal prosecution. The filing officer shall transmit a copy of such notification to the board. The board and the district attorney or the attorney general shall advise the filing officer in writing at the end of each 30-day period of the status of such matter until the time of disposition. The district attorney or attorney general shall transmit a copy of each such notice to the board.
1,57
Section
57. 11.38 (5) of the statutes is repealed.
1,58
Section
58. 11.60 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
11.60 (4) Actions Except as otherwise provided in ss. 5.05 (2m) (c) 15. and 16. and (h), 5.08, and 5.081, actions under this section arising out of an election for state office or a statewide referendum may be brought by the board or by the district attorney of for the county where the defendant resides or, if the defendant is a nonresident, by the district attorney for the county where the violation is alleged to have occurred, except as specified in s. 11.38. Actions under this section arising out of an election for local office or a local referendum may be brought by the district attorney of the county where the violation is alleged to have occurred. Actions under this section arising out of an election for county office or a county referendum may be brought by the county board of election commissioners of the county wherein the violation is alleged to have occurred. If a violation concerns a district attorney or circuit judge or candidate for such offices, the action shall be brought by the attorney general. If a violation concerns the attorney general or a candidate for such office, the governor may appoint special counsel under s. 14.11 (2) to bring suit in behalf of the state. The counsel shall be independent of the attorney general and need not be a state employee at the time of appointment. For purposes of this subsection, a person other than a natural person resides within a county if the person's principal place of operation is located within that county.
1,59
Section
59. 11.60 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
11.60 (5) Any elector may file a verified petition with the board, the county board of election commissioners or the appropriate district attorney or with more than one of them where their authority is concurrent under sub. (4), requesting that civil action under this chapter be brought against any person, committee or group. The petition shall allege such facts as are within the knowledge of the petitioner to show probable cause that a violation of this chapter has occurred.
1,60
Section
60. 11.61 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
11.61 (2) Except as otherwise provided in s. 11.38 (5) ss. 5.05 (2m) (c) 15. and 16. and (i), 5.08, and 5.081, all prosecutions under this section shall be conducted by the district attorney of for the county where the defendant resides or, if the defendant is a nonresident, by the district attorney for the county where the violation is alleged to have occurred. If the district attorney refuses to act upon a sworn complaint, or fails to act upon such a complaint within 60 days of the date on which the complaint is received, the attorney general may then conduct the prosecution under this section. If a violation concerns a district attorney or circuit judge or candidate for such offices, the prosecution shall be conducted by the attorney general. If a violation concerns the attorney general or a candidate for such office, the governor may appoint a special prosecutor under s. 14.11 (2) to conduct the prosecution in behalf of the state. The prosecutor shall be independent of the attorney general and need not be a state employee at the time of appointment For purposes of this subsection, a person other than a natural person resides within a county if the person's principal place of operation is located within that county.
1,61
Section
61. 12.13 (5) of the statutes is created to read:
12.13 (5) Unauthorized release of records or investigatory information.
(a) Except as specifically authorized by law and except as provided in par. (b), no investigator, prosecutor, employee of an investigator or prosecutor, or member or employee of the board may disclose information related to an investigation or prosecution under chs. 5 to 12, subch. III of ch. 13, or subch. III of ch. 19 or any other law specified in s. 978.05 (1) or (2) or provide access to any record of the investigator, prosecutor, or the board that is not subject to access under s. 5.05 (5s) to any person other than an employee or agent of the prosecutor or investigator or a member, employee, or agent of the board prior to presentation of the information or record in a court of law.
(b) This subsection does not apply to any of the following communications made by an investigator, prosecutor, employee of an investigator or prosecutor, or member or employee of the board:
1. Communications made in the normal course of an investigation or prosecution.
2. Communications with a local, state, or federal law enforcement or prosecutorial authority.
3. Communications made to the attorney of an investigator, prosecutor, employee, or member of the board or to a person or the attorney of a person who is investigated or prosecuted by the board.
1,62
Section
62. 12.60 (1) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:
12.60 (1) (bm) Whoever violates s. 12.13 (5) may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both.
1,63
Section
63. 13.123 (3) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
13.123 (3) (b) 2. In making the determination under subd. 1., the chief clerk is bound by the determination of the chairperson of the elections government accountability board or the chairperson's designee if such determination has been issued.
1,64
Section
64. 13.23 of the statutes is amended to read:
13.23 Election contests; notice. Any person wishing to contest the election of any senator or member of the assembly shall, within 30 days after the decision of the board of canvassers, serve a notice in writing on the person whose election the contestant intends to contest, stating briefly that the election will be contested and the cause of such contest, and shall file a copy thereof in the office of the elections government accountability board at least 10 days before the day fixed by law for the meeting of the legislature. The elections government accountability board shall then send a copy of s. 13.24 to both contestants. If any contestant fails to so file a copy of such notice, the contestant shall not be entitled to any mileage or salary in case payment has been made therefor to the sitting member.
1,65
Section
65. 13.62 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
13.62 (4) "Board" means the ethics
government accountability board.
1,66
Section
66. 13.685 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
13.685 (title) Duties of the ethics government accountability board.
1,67
Section
67. 13.69 (8) of the statutes is repealed.
1,68
Section
68. 13.94 (1) (k) of the statutes is amended to read:
13.94 (1) (k) Provide auditing services at the direction of the elections government accountability board under s. 5.05 (2).
1,69
Section
69. 14.58 (20) of the statutes is amended to read:
14.58 (20) Election campaign fund. Make disbursements to each candidate certified under s. 7.08 (2) (c) or (cm) by the elections government accountability board as eligible to receive moneys from the Wisconsin election campaign fund.
1,70
Section
70. 15.07 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
15.07 (1) (a) 2. Members of the government accountability board shall be nominated by the governor, and with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the members of the senate present and voting shall be appointed, to serve for terms prescribed by law.
1,71
Section
71. 15.07 (1) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:
15.07 (1) (cm) The term of one member of the ethics government accountability board shall expire on each May 1. The terms of 3 members of the development finance board appointed under s. 15.155 (1) (a) 6. shall expire on May 1 of every even-numbered year and the terms of the other 3 members appointed under s. 15.155 (1) (a) 6. shall expire on May 1 of every odd-numbered year. The terms of the 3 members of the land and water conservation board appointed under s. 15.135 (4) (b) 2. shall expire on January 1. The term of the member of the land and water conservation board appointed under s. 15.135 (4) (b) 2m. shall expire on May 1 of an even-numbered year. The terms of members of the real estate board shall expire on July 1. The terms of the appraiser members of the real estate appraisers board and the terms of the auctioneer and auction company representative members of the auctioneer board shall expire on May 1 in an even-numbered year. The terms of the members of the cemetery board shall expire on July 1 in an even-numbered year. The term of the student member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System who is at least 24 years old shall expire on May 1 of every even-numbered year.
1,72
Section
72. 15.07 (2) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
15.07 (2) (b) The chairperson of the governmental accountability board shall be chosen by lot by the current chairperson of the board at the first meeting of the board in January of each year.
1,73
Section
73. 15.07 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
15.07 (4) Quorum. A majority of the membership of a board constitutes a quorum to do business and, unless a more restrictive provision is adopted by the board, a majority of a quorum may act in any matter within the jurisdiction of the board. This subsection does not apply to actions of the ethics government accountability board or the school district boundary appeal board as provided in ss. 19.47 (4) 5.05 (1e) and 117.05 (2) (a).
1,74
Section
74. 15.07 (5) (k) of the statutes is repealed.
1,75
Section
75. 15.07 (5) (m) of the statutes is created to read:
15.07 (5) (m) Members of the government accountability board, a per diem equal to the amount prescribed under s. 753.075 (3) (a) for reserve judges sitting in circuit court.
1,76
Section
76. 15.07 (5) (n) of the statutes is repealed.
1,77
Section
77. 15.60 of the statutes is created to read:
