AB746: Bill Text

AB746,24,7 (d) Except as otherwise provided in par. (a), special registration deputies appointed under s. 6.55 (6), special voting deputies appointed under s. 6.875 (4) and officials and trainees who attend training sessions under s. 7.15 (1) (e) or 7.25 (5) may also be compensated by the municipality where they serve at the option of the municipality.

AB746, s. 61 Section 61. 7.08 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,24,15 7.08 (1) (d) Promulgate rules for the administration of the statutory requirements for voting machines and electronic voting systems and any other voting apparatus which may be introduced in this state for use at elections. Pursuant to such responsibility, the board may obtain assistance from competent persons to check the machines, systems and apparatus and approve for use those types meeting the statutory requirements and shall establish reasonable compensation for persons performing duties under this paragraph.

AB746, s. 62 Section 62. 7.10 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,24,23 7.10 (6) Municipal judge; certified list. If candidates for the office of a municipal judge who is elected under s. 755.01 (4) file nomination papers in the office of the county clerk and any municipality served by the judge prepares its own ballots for voting machines or an electronic voting system, the county clerk shall certify to the municipal clerk of that municipality the names of the candidates for judge as soon as possible after the last day for filing nomination papers and after certification by the county board of canvassers of the results of any primary election.

AB746, s. 63 Section 63. 7.15 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,25,5 7.15 (2) (c) With the consent of the county clerk, municipalities may prepare their own ballots whenever voting machines or an electronic voting systems are system is used in elections where candidates for both local offices and national, state or county offices appear on the ballot. This paragraph does not apply to cities under par. (b).

AB746, s. 64 Section 64. 7.15 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,25,11 7.15 (3) Ballot supply; sample ballots. (a) Where voting machines are used or where electronic voting systems are employed, the municipal clerk shall provide at least 2 duplicate sample ballots for each ward in diagram form showing the board or screen inside each voting machine or the front of each ballot as it will appear in the voting machines or booths on election day.

AB746,25,13 (b) Sample ballots and voting machine ballots shall be furnished to the officials in the ward or election district at least one day before each election.

AB746, s. 65 Section 65. 7.15 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,25,23 7.15 (6) Substitute ballots. (a) The municipal clerk shall provide substitute paper ballots in substantially the form of the original ballots whenever the necessary original ballots are not delivered to the municipality, are destroyed, are lost or stolen after delivery, are not ready for distribution or the supply is exhausted during polling hours. The municipal clerk may also provide substitute paper ballots, together with ballot boxes and voting booths, whenever a voting machine or an electronic voting system is rendered inoperable by a malfunction which occurs within 24 hours of the time set for opening of the polls. Paper ballots may be cast only in accordance with the procedures prescribed in ss. 6.80 (2) and 7.37 (4).

AB746,26,5 (b) Upon receiving the substitute paper ballots accompanied by a statement made under oath by the municipal clerk that the ballots have been prepared and furnished by the clerk to replace the original ballots which are not available, or to substitute for a voting machine or an electronic voting system which has been rendered inoperable by a malfunction which occurred within 72 hours of the time set for opening of the polls, the election officials shall use the substitute ballots in the same manner as if they had been original ballots.

AB746, s. 66 Section 66. 7.23 (1) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,26,9 7.23 (1) (h) Except as provided in par. (f), ballots at an election may be destroyed no earlier than 14 days before the next regularly scheduled election but in no case earlier than 30 days after any election.

AB746, s. 67 Section 67. 7.23 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,26,21 7.23 (2) If a recount is pending or if the time allowed for filing a recount petition at any election or an appeal or petition for review of any recount determination or decision at an election has not expired, no materials may be destroyed until after the recount is completed and the applicable time period has expired. In addition, if there is litigation pending with respect to a recount at an election, materials may be destroyed and recording units or compartments may be cleared or erased only by order of the court in which litigation is pending. Upon petition of the attorney general or a district attorney or U.S. attorney for the affected jurisdiction, a circuit judge for the affected jurisdiction may order that specified materials not be destroyed or that specified recorders, units or compartments not be cleared or erased as otherwise authorized under this subsection until the court so permits.

AB746, s. 68 Section 68. 7.25 of the statutes is repealed.

AB746, s. 69 Section 69. 7.30 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,27,14 7.30 (1) (a) Except as authorized under par. (b), there shall be 7 inspectors for each polling place at each election. Except as authorized in 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 officials shall also be appointed in a number sufficient to maintain adequate staffing of polling places. Except for inspectors who are appointed under par. (b) and officials who 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.

AB746, s. 70 Section 70. 7.37 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,27,25 7.37 (4) Balloting procedure. At polling places which utilize paper ballots or electronic voting systems in which ballots are distributed to electors, 2 inspectors shall be assigned to take charge of the official ballots. They shall write their initials on the back of each ballot and deliver to each elector as he or she enters the voting booth one ballot properly endorsed by each of them. Where paper ballots are used, the inspectors shall fold each ballot in the proper manner to be deposited before delivering it to the elector. If asked, inspectors may instruct any elector as to the proper manner of marking the ballot, but they may not give advice, suggestions, express any preferences or make any requests as to the person for whom, the question on which or the ballot on which the elector shall vote.

AB746, s. 71 Section 71. 7.41 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB746,28,5 7.41 (4m) Any individual may, with reasonable prior notice to a municipal clerk, inspect the area in which ballots relating to an election are stored after the date of that election. This subsection does not authorize an individual to inspect ballots or to require the breaking of seals on ballot bags or containers.

AB746, s. 72 Section 72. 7.41 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,28,10 7.41 (5) The board may promulgate rules that are consistent with the requirements of sub. (2) regarding the proper conduct of individuals exercising the right rights under sub. subs. (1) and (4m), including the interaction of those individuals with inspectors and other election officials.

AB746, s. 73 Section 73. 7.50 (2) (hm) of the statutes is repealed.

AB746, s. 74 Section 74. 7.51 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,28,25 7.51 (2) (a) The inspectors shall first compare the poll lists, correcting any mistakes until the poll lists agree. The chief inspector and the inspectors who are responsible for recording electors under s. 6.79 shall verify the correctness of the poll lists after the polls close by each signing their name thereto. Where ballots are distributed to electors, the The inspectors shall then open the ballot box and remove and count the number of ballots therein without examination except as is necessary to ascertain that each is a single ballot. If 2 or more ballots are folded together so as to appear as a single ballot, the inspectors shall lay them aside until the count is completed; and if, after a comparison of the count and the appearance of the ballots it appears to a majority of the inspectors that the ballots folded together were voted by the same person they may not be counted but the inspectors shall mark them as to the reason for removal, set them aside and carefully preserve them. The inspectors shall then proceed under par. (b).

AB746, s. 75 Section 75. 7.51 (2) (g) and (h) of the statutes are repealed.

AB746, s. 76 Section 76. 7.51 (3) (c) of the statutes is repealed.

AB746, s. 77 Section 77. 7.51 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,29,10 7.51 (6) Electronic voting systems. The procedure for canvassing of votes cast at polling places utilizing an electronic voting system in which ballots are distributed to electors shall follow the procedure for canvassing paper ballots insofar as applicable, and the procedure for canvassing of votes cast at polling places utilizing an electronic voting machine shall follow the procedure for canvassing of mechanical voting machines insofar as applicable, except as otherwise provided in ss. 5.85 to 5.89.

AB746, s. 78 Section 78. 8.50 (3) (c) of the statutes, as affected by 2011 Wisconsin Act 75, is amended to read:

AB746,29,19 8.50 (3) (c) Notwithstanding ss. 5.37 (4), 5.91 (6) and 6.80 (2) (f), whenever a special partisan primary is held concurrently with the presidential preference primary, an elector may choose the party column or ballot in which the elector will cast his or her vote separately for each of the 2 primaries. Whenever 2 or more special partisan primaries or one or more special partisan primaries and a partisan primary are held concurrently, the procedure prescribed in ss. 5.37 (4), 5.91 (6) and 6.80 (2) (f) applies.

AB746, s. 79 Section 79. 8.55 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,29,23 8.55 (4) Whenever the clerks of more than one jurisdiction are required under this section to publish the same notice on the same day, they may publish one notice only and share the cost under s. 10.07 (1).

AB746, s. 80 Section 80. 9.01 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes, as affected by 2011 Wisconsin Acts 75 and 115, is amended to read:

AB746,30,21 9.01 (1) (a) 1. Any candidate voted for at any election, or any elector who voted in an election in which one or more candidates seek office or who voted upon any referendum question at any election, may petition for a recount of that election. 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 following canvassing of any valid provisional and absentee ballots under ss. 6.97 (4) and 7.515 (6) and, except as provided in this subdivision, 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 following canvassing of all valid provisional and absentee ballots 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 following canvassing of all valid provisional and absentee ballots. 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 following canvassing of all valid provisional and absentee ballots and not later than 5 p.m. on the 3rd business day following the day on which the government accountability board receives the last statement from a county board of canvassers for the election or referendum following canvassing of all valid provisional and absentee ballots.

AB746, s. 81 Section 81. 9.01 (1) (a) 2. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,30,25 9.01 (1) (a) 2. a. That at the election the petitioner was a candidate for the office in question or that the petitioner voted in the election for the office in issue or on the referendum question in issue.

AB746, s. 82 Section 82. 9.01 (1) (ag) 1., 1m. and 2. of the statutes, as affected by 2011 Wisconsin Acts 75 and 115, are amended to read:

AB746,31,10 9.01 (1) (ag) 1. If the petitioner is a candidate for the office in issue or an elector who voted on the referendum in issue and the difference between the votes cast for the leading candidate and those cast for the petitioner candidate receiving the next highest number of votes or the difference between the affirmative and negative votes cast upon any referendum question is less than 10 if 1,000 or less votes are cast or not more than 0.5% of the total votes cast for the office or on the question if more than 1,000 votes are cast following canvassing of all valid provisional and absentee ballots, the petitioner is not required to pay a fee.

AB746,31,19 1m. If the petitioner is a candidate for the office in issue or an elector who voted on the referendum in issue and the difference between the votes cast for the leading candidate and those cast for the petitioner candidate receiving the next highest number of votes or the difference between the affirmative and negative votes cast upon any referendum question is at least 10 if 1,000 or less votes are cast or is more than 0.5% but not more than 2% if more than 1,000 votes are cast following canvasing of all valid provisional and absentee ballots, the petitioner shall pay a fee of $5 for each ward for which the petition requests a ballot recount, or $5 for each municipality for which the petition requests a recount where no wards exist.

AB746,32,3 2. If the petitioner is not a candidate for the office in issue, or if the petitioner is a candidate for that office and the difference between the votes cast for the leading candidate and those cast for the petitioner candidate receiving the next highest number of votes or the difference between the affirmative and negative votes cast upon any referendum question is more than 2% if more than 1,000 votes are cast following canvassing of all valid provisional and absentee ballots, the petitioner shall pay a fee equal to the actual cost of performing the recount in each ward for which the petition requests a recount, or in each municipality for which the petition request a recount where no wards exist.

AB746, s. 83 Section 83. 9.01 (1) (b) 6. to 8. of the statutes are repealed.

AB746, s. 84 Section 84. 9.01 (1) (b) 8m. and 8s. of the statutes are amended to read:

AB746,32,15 9.01 (1) (b) 8m. Where a voting machine or an electronic voting system is used, and an error in the vote total as shown on the machine or record of votes cast is clearly apparent, the board of canvassers may change the vote total as shown by the machine or system and certify or use a different total to certify a different result than is indicated by the machine or system if there is evidence of a specific malfunction in the machine or system, if the malfunction could reasonably have caused the error, and if clear and convincing evidence exists which indicates the exact actual total number of votes cast. The burden of demonstrating that a vote total shown on a machine or record of votes cast is incorrect rests with the party seeking to change the recorded result on the basis of clear and convincing evidence.

AB746,32,20 8s. If an electronic voting system is used in which ballots are distributed to electors, and the board of canvassers makes a determination of elector intent under s. 7.50, the board of canvassers shall add to the result generated by the automatic tabulating equipment any votes counted by the board of canvassers in making its determination.

AB746, s. 85 Section 85. 9.01 (1) (b) 10. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,33,2 9.01 (1) (b) 10. Recounts at polling places utilizing an electronic voting system in which ballots are distributed to electors shall be performed in accordance with the procedure for recounting paper ballots insofar as applicable, except as provided in s. 5.90. Recounts at polling places utilizing electronic voting machines shall be performed in accordance with the procedure for recounting votes cast on mechanical voting machines, insofar as applicable, except as provided in s. 5.90.

AB746, s. 86 Section 86. 9.01 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,33,19 9.01 (2) Notice to candidates. When the recount concerns an election for an office, the clerk or body with whom the petition is filed shall promptly prepare a copy of the petition for delivery to each opposing candidate for the same office whose name appears on the ballot that office other than the petitioner. In a recount proceeding for a nomination to an office at a partisan primary, the clerk or body shall prepare a copy of the petition for delivery to each opposing candidate other than the petitioner for the same party nomination for the same office, to each opposing candidate for the party nomination of each other party for the same office and to each independent candidate qualifying to have his or her name placed on the ballot for the succeeding election. A candidate or agent designated by a candidate may personally accept delivery of a copy of the petition. Upon such delivery, the clerk or body shall require the candidate or agent to sign a receipt therefor. If a candidate or agent does not personally accept delivery, the clerk or body shall then promptly deliver the copies of the petition to the sheriff, who shall promptly deliver the copies of the petition to each candidate at the address given on the candidate's nomination papers, without fee, in the manner provided for service of a summons in civil actions.

AB746, s. 87 Section 87. 9.01 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,33,23 9.01 (3) Representation and observation. The petitioner, all opposing candidates in the election in issue, and all interested persons shall be entitled to be present in person and by counsel to observe the proceedings.

AB746, s. 88 Section 88. 9.01 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,34,12 9.01 (4) Right to complete recount. Whenever a recount petition for part of the wards within a jurisdiction or district, or for part of the municipalities within a district where there are no wards, is filed under this section, the opposing any candidate, or for the office in issue, any voter elector who voted in the election for office in issue, or any other interested party including a municipality if on a referendum question, may similarly file a petition for recount in any or all of the remaining wards or municipalities in the jurisdiction or district. The petition shall be filed not later than 5 p.m. 2 days after the board of canvassers completes the first recount. The proper board of canvassers shall reconvene at 9 a.m. on the next business day following the filing of the petition and proceed to recount the ballots in all wards or municipalities specified and to otherwise review the allegations of fact contained in the petition. Any errors shall be corrected.

AB746, s. 89 Section 89. 9.01 (6) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,35,4 9.01 (6) (a) Within 5 business days after completion of the recount determination by the board of canvassers in all counties concerned, or within 5 business days after completion of the recount determination by the chairperson of the board or the chairperson's designee whenever a determination is made by the chairperson or designee, the petitioner or any candidate, or any elector when for a referendum, aggrieved by the recount may appeal to circuit court. The appeal shall commence by serving a written notice of appeal on the other petitioner and on all candidates other than the petitioner and all other persons who filed a written notice of appearance before each board of canvassers whose decision is appealed, or in the case of a statewide recount, before the chairperson of the board or the chairperson's designee. The appellant shall also serve notice on the board if the chairperson of the board or the chairperson's designee is responsible for determining the election. The appellant shall serve the notice by certified mail or in person. The appellant shall file the notice with the clerk of circuit court together with an undertaking and surety in the amount approved by the court, conditioned upon the payment of all costs taxed against the appellant.

AB746, s. 90 Section 90. 9.01 (7) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,35,12 9.01 (7) (a) The court with whom an appeal is filed shall forthwith issue an order directing each affected county or municipal clerk or board to transmit immediately all ballots, papers and records affecting the appeal to the clerk of court or to impound and secure such ballots, papers and records, or both. The order shall be served upon each affected county or municipal clerk or board, and upon the petitioner and all other candidates and other persons who filed a written notice of appearance before any board of canvassers involved in the recount.

AB746, s. 91 Section 91. 10.01 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,35,22 10.01 (2) (b) Type B—The type B notice shall include the relevant facsimile ballots and the relevant portions of voting instructions to electors under s. 10.02 for each office or referendum and shall specify the date of the election. In counties or municipalities where an electronic voting system in which ballots are distributed to electors is used, the notice shall include the information specified in s. 5.94. The type B notice shall be published once by the county clerks, and for primaries and other elections in municipalities or special purpose districts, once by the clerk of the municipality or special purpose district on the day preceding each primary and other election.

AB746, s. 92 Section 92. 10.02 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,36,9 10.02 (2) (c) The facsimile ballots shall follow the voting instructions. The size and style of type and the general display of the facsimile ballots shall be prescribed by the board and shall conform to the form prescribed by the board under s. 7.08 (1) (a). The party columns shall not exceed 2-1/6 inches in width and the ballot size may be reduced. Voting machine facsimile ballots shall show a reduced diagram of the front of the voting machine and instructions to electors on how to vote on the machine. If the ballots in the wards or election districts within a county or municipality are identical but for the names of different candidates, districts or seats, the facsimile ballot may show the ballot for one ward or election district, accompanied by a list of candidates, districts and seats to be voted upon in the other wards or election districts.

AB746, s. 93 Section 93. 10.02 (3) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2011 Wisconsin Act 23, is amended to read:

AB746,36,23 10.02 (3) (a) Upon entering the polling place and before being permitted to vote, an elector shall state his or her name and address. If an elector is not registered to vote, an elector may register to vote at the polling place serving his or her residence if the elector presents proof of identification in a form specified by law unless the elector is exempted from this requirement, and, if the document presented does not constitute proof of residence, the elector provides proof of residence. Where ballots are distributed to electors, the The initials of 2 inspectors must appear on the ballot. Upon being permitted to vote, the elector shall retire alone to a voting booth or machine and cast his or her ballot, except that an elector who is a parent or guardian may be accompanied by the elector's minor child or minor ward. An election official may inform the elector of the proper manner for casting a vote, but the official may not in any manner advise or indicate a particular voting choice.

AB746, s. 94 Section 94. 10.02 (3) (b) 1. of the statutes, as affected by 2011 Wisconsin Act 23, is amended to read:

AB746,37,3 10.02 (3) (b) 1. The elector shall make a cross (7) next to or separately depress the levers or buttons next to each candidate's name for whom he or she intends to vote, or shall insert or write in the name of a candidate.

AB746, s. 95 Section 95. 10.02 (3) (b) 2. of the statutes, as affected by 2011 Wisconsin Act 32, is amended to read:

AB746,37,9 10.02 (3) (b) 2. At a partisan primary, the elector shall select the party ballot of his or her choice and shall make a cross (7) next to or depress the lever or button next to the candidate's name for each office for whom the elector intends to vote, or shall insert or write in the name of the elector's choice for a candidate.

AB746, s. 96 Section 96. 10.02 (3) (b) 3. and 4. of the statutes are amended to read:

AB746,37,16 10.02 (3) (b) 3. When casting a presidential preference vote, the elector shall select the party ballot of his or her choice and make a cross (7) next to or depress the button or lever next to the candidate's name for whom he or she intends to vote or shall, in the alternative, make a cross (7) next to or depress the button or lever next to the words "Uninstructed delegation", or shall write in the name of his or her choice for a candidate.

AB746,37,20 4. At a nonpartisan primary, the elector shall make a cross (7) next to or depress the button or lever next to the candidate's name for each office for whom he or she intends to vote, or insert or write in the name of his or her choice for a candidate.

AB746, s. 97 Section 97. 10.02 (3) (c) of the statutes, as affected by 2011 Wisconsin Act 23, is amended to read:

AB746,38,2 10.02 (3) (c) In presidential elections, the elector shall make a cross (7) next to or depress the button or lever next to the set of candidates for president and vice president for whom he or she intends to vote. A vote for candidates for president and vice president is a vote for the presidential electors of those candidates.

AB746, s. 98 Section 98. 10.02 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,38,5 10.02 (3) (d) On referenda questions, the elector shall make a cross (7) next to or depress the button or lever next to the answer which he or she intends to give.

AB746, s. 99 Section 99. 10.02 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,38,15 10.02 (3) (e) The vote should not be cast in any other manner. If the elector spoils a ballot, he or she shall return it to an election official who shall issue another in its place, but not more than 3 ballots shall be issued to any one elector. If the ballot has not been initialed by 2 inspectors or is defective in any other way, the elector shall return it to the election official, who shall issue a proper ballot in its place. Not more than 5 minutes' time shall be allowed inside a voting booth or machine. Unofficial ballots or a memorandum to assist the elector in marking his or her ballot may be taken into the booth and copied. The sample ballot shall not be shown to anyone so as to reveal how the ballot is marked.

AB746, s. 100 Section 100. 10.02 (3) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,38,22 10.02 (3) (f) After an official paper ballot is marked, it shall be folded so the inside marks do not show but so the printed endorsements and inspectors' initials on the outside do show. After casting his or her vote, the elector shall leave the voting machine or booth, and where paper ballots are distributed to the electors, deposit his or her folded ballot in the ballot box or deliver it to an inspector for deposit in the box, and shall leave the polling place promptly.

AB746, s. 101 Section 101. 10.06 (3) (am) and (bm) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB746,39,6 10.06 (3) (am) As soon as possible following the deadline for filing nomination papers for any municipal election when there is to be an election for a county or state office or a county or statewide referendum, but no later than 3 days after such deadline, the municipal clerk of each municipality in which voting machines or ballots containing the names of candidates for both local offices and national, state or county offices are used shall certify the list of candidates for municipal office to the county clerk if a primary is required, unless the municipality prepares its own ballots under s. 7.15 (2) (c).

AB746,39,15 (bm) As soon as possible following the municipal canvass of the primary vote or the qualification of the candidates under s. 8.05 (1) (j) when a municipal caucus is held, if there is to be an election for a county or state office or a county or statewide referendum, but no later than 3 days after such date, the municipal clerk of each municipality in which voting machines or ballots containing the names of candidates for both local offices and national, state or county offices are used shall certify the list of candidates for municipal office and municipal referenda appearing on the ballot to the county clerk, unless the municipality prepares its own ballots under s. 7.15 (2) (c).

AB746, s. 102 Section 102. 10.06 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB746,39,22 10.06 (3) (e) When electronic or mechanical voting machines or an electronic voting systems in which ballots are distributed to electors are system is used in a municipality at a municipal election, the municipal clerk shall publish a type B notice on the Monday before the election. The notice shall include all offices and questions to be voted on at the election. The cost of this notice shall be shared under s. 5.68 (2) and (3).

AB746, s. 103 Section 103. 10.07 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 10.07 and amended to read:

AB746,40,8 10.07 Combination of notices; cost. Except as provided in sub. (2) in the case of voting machine ballots, whenever Whenever any county clerk or municipal or school district clerks within the same county are directed to publish any notice or portion of a notice under this chapter on the same date in the same newspaper, the text of which is identical, the clerks may publish one notice only. The cost of publication of such notice or the portion of the notice required shall be apportioned equally between the county and each municipality or school district sharing in its publication.