This changes the date of the September primary from the 2nd Tuesday in
September to the 2nd Tuesday in August and renames it to be the "Partisan
Primary". The bill also changes the dates of related election events to accommodate
the change in the date of the primary.
The bill also makes various changes in the laws pertaining to absentee voting.
Most of the changes relate to absentee voting by military and overseas electors of this
state. State law contains different definitions of the terms "military elector" and
"overseas elector." One set of definitions mirrors the definitions found in federal law.
Under federal law, a "military elector" includes: 1) a member of a uniformed service
on active duty who, by reason of that duty, is absent from the residence where the
member is otherwise qualified to vote; 2) a member of the merchant marine who, by
reason of service in the merchant marine, is absent from the residence where the
member is otherwise qualified to vote; and 3) the spouse or dependent of any such
member who, by reason of the duty or service of the member, is absent from the
residence where the person is otherwise qualified to vote. The federal definition of
"overseas elector" includes an elector who resides outside the United States and who
is qualified under federal law to vote in elections for national office in this state
because the elector last resided in this state immediately prior to the elector's
departure from the United States. The other set of definitions applies for certain
state purposes and includes all the persons who are included in the federal
definitions but also includes other persons. The state definition of the term "military
elector" includes: 1) members of a uniformed service who are not on active duty or
who are not absent from their residences by reason of their service or both; 2)
members of the merchant marine who are not absent from their residences; 3)
civilian employees of the United States and civilians officially attached to a
uniformed service who are serving outside the United States; 4) Peace Corps
volunteers; and 5) spouses and dependents of these persons who are residing with
or accompanying them. The state definition of "overseas elector" includes children
of persons who qualify as overseas electors under federal law who are U.S. citizens
at least 18 years of age, who are not disqualified from voting in this state, and who
are not residents of this state. Significant provisions of the bill include:

1. Under current law, any qualified absentee elector may request an absentee
ballot by means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission. If an elector so requests,
the elector must mail with his or her voted absentee ballot a copy of an absentee ballot
application containing his or her original signature. In addition, an absentee elector
may request that his or her absentee ballot be transmitted to him or her by electronic
mail or facsimile transmission and a municipal clerk or board of election
commissioners may transmit the ballot as requested. This bill provides that the
municipal clerk or board of election commissioners must transmit the ballot if the
clerk or board receives a valid request.
2. Current law permits a military or overseas elector, as defined in state law,
to cast a vote in any general election in which a federal office is to be filled by writing
in the name of a candidate on a blank absentee ballot form prescribed by the U.S.
government and returning the ballot to the appropriate municipal clerk or board of
election commissioners. This bill permits a military elector, as defined by state law,
to cast such a ballot at any election, including any primary election, at which a
federal, state, or local office is to be filled and permits an overseas elector, as defined
by state law, to cast such a ballot at any election, including any primary election, at
which a federal office is to be filled.
3. This bill directs the Government Accountability Board (GAB), with the
assistance of county and municipal clerks and boards of election commissioners, to
designate at least one freely accessible means of electronic communication which
shall be used to: 1) permit a military or overseas elector, as defined by federal law,
to request a voter registration or absentee ballot application and to indicate whether
he or she wishes to receive the application electronically or by mail; and 2) permit
a municipal clerk or board of election commissioners to transmit an application to a
military or overseas elector, as defined by federal law, electronically or by mail, as
requested by the elector, together with related voting, balloting and election
information. The bill also directs GAB, with the assistance of county and municipal
clerks and boards of elections commissioners, to maintain a freely accessible system
whereby a military or overseas elector, as defined by federal law, who casts an
absentee ballot may ascertain whether the ballot has been received by the
appropriate municipal clerk or board. No similar provisions exist currently.
4. Currently, an absentee ballot cast by an elector is void unless it is received
at the polling place for the elector's residence by 8 p.m. on election night. However,
state law provides that if an elector is a military elector, as defined by federal law,
the elector has an additional ten days after the general election and seven days after
the September primary for the elector's ballot to be received by his or her
municipality if the ballot is postmarked by election day. This bill extends a similar
ten-day dispensation to military electors, as defined by federal law, who are voting
in the presidential preference primary or a special federal election.
5. Currently, an elector who is a military elector, as defined by state law, or an
overseas elector, as defined by state law, and who applies for an absentee ballot no
later than 30 days before an election may cast a blank write-in ballot at that election
in lieu of the official printed ballot, for any candidates for federal office whose offices
are contested at that election. The ballot is valid only if it is submitted from a location

outside the United States. This bill permits such an elector to cast a blank write-in
absentee ballot after official printed ballots become available if he or she applies for
an absentee ballot no later than the latest time permitted for application for an
absentee ballot under state law. The bill also permits a military elector to cast such
a ballot even if the ballot is submitted from a location inside the United States,
including the elector's permanent residence.
6. Currently, GAB must prescribe uniform instructions for absentee voters.
This bill provides that the instructions must include the specific means of electronic
communication that absentee voters may use to file an application for an absentee
ballot, to request a voter registration form, or to change their registrations.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be
printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB116, s. 1 1Section 1. 5.02 (18) of the statutes is renumbered 5.02 (12s) and amended to
2read:
SB116,4,63 5.02 (12s) "September Partisan primary" means the primary held on the 2nd
4Tuesday in September August to nominate candidates to be voted for at the general
5election, and to determine which candidates for state offices other than district
6attorney may participate in the Wisconsin election campaign fund.
SB116, s. 2 7Section 2. 5.05 (13) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,4,88 5.05 (13) (title) Toll-free election information exchange and requests.
SB116, s. 3 9Section 3. 5.05 (13) (c) and (d) of the statutes are created to read:
SB116,4,1310 5.05 (13) (c) Maintain a freely accessible system under which a military elector,
11as defined in s. 6.34 (1) (a), or an overseas elector, as defined in s. 6.34 (1) (b), who
12casts an absentee ballot may ascertain whether the ballot has been received by the
13appropriate municipal clerk.
SB116,4,1514 (d) Designate and maintain at least one freely accessible means of electronic
15communication which shall be used for the following purposes:
SB116,5,4
11. To permit a military elector, as defined in s. 6.34 (1) (a), or an overseas elector,
2as defined in s. 6.34 (1) (b), to request a voter registration application or an
3application for an absentee ballot at any election at which the elector is qualified to
4vote in this state.
SB116,5,75 2. To permit a military elector or an overseas elector under subd. 1. to designate
6whether the elector wishes to receive the applications under subd. 1. electronically
7or by mail.
SB116,5,118 3. To permit a municipal clerk to transmit to a military elector or an overseas
9elector under subd. 1. a registration application or absentee ballot application
10electronically or by mail, as directed by the elector under subd. 2., together with
11related voting, balloting, and election information.
SB116, s. 4 12Section 4. 5.15 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,6,413 5.15 (6) (b) No later than 60 days before each September partisan primary and
14general election, and no later than 30 days before each other election the governing
15body of any municipality may by resolution combine 2 or more wards for voting
16purposes to facilitate using a common polling place. Whenever wards are so
17combined, the original ward numbers shall continue to be utilized for all official
18purposes. Except as otherwise authorized under this paragraph, every municipality
19having a population of 35,000 or more shall maintain separate returns for each ward
20so combined. In municipalities having a population of less than 35,000, the
21governing body may provide in the resolution that returns shall be maintained only
22for each group of combined wards at any election. Whenever a governing body
23provides for common ballot boxes and ballots or voting machines, separate returns
24shall be maintained for each separate ballot required under ss. 5.62 and 5.64 at the
25September partisan primary and general election. The municipal clerk shall

1transmit a copy of the resolution to the county clerk of each county in which the
2municipality is contained. In municipalities having a population of less than 35,000,
3the resolution shall remain in effect for each election until modified or rescinded, or
4until a new division is made under this section.
SB116, s. 5 5Section 5. 5.25 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,6,86 5.25 (3) Polling places shall be established for each September partisan
7primary and general election at least 60 days before the election, and for each other
8election at least 30 days before the election.
SB116, s. 6 9Section 6. 5.37 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,6,1810 5.37 (4) Voting machines may be used at primary elections when they comply
11with subs. (1) and (2) and the following provisions: All candidates' names entitled to
12appear on the ballots at the primary shall appear on the machine; the elector cannot
13vote for candidates of more than one party, whenever the restriction applies, and an
14elector who votes for candidates of any party may not vote for independent
15candidates at the September partisan primary; the elector may secretly select the
16party for which he or she wishes to vote, or the independent candidates in the case
17of the September partisan primary; the elector may vote for as many candidates for
18each office as he or she is lawfully entitled to vote for, but no more.
SB116, s. 7 19Section 7. 5.62 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,6,20 205.62 (title) September Partisan primary ballots.
SB116, s. 8 21Section 8. 5.62 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,7,1722 5.62 (1) (a) At September primaries the partisan primary, the following ballot
23shall be provided for the nomination of candidates of recognized political parties for
24national, state and county offices and independent candidates for state office in each
25ward, in the same form as prescribed by the board under s. 7.08 (1) (a), except as

1authorized in s. 5.655. The ballots shall be made up of the several party tickets with
2each party entitled to participate in the primary under par. (b) or sub. (2) having its
3own ballot, except as authorized in s. 5.655. The independent candidates for state
4office other than district attorney shall have a separate ballot for all such candidates
5as under s. 5.64 (1) (e), except as authorized in s. 5.655. The ballots shall be secured
6together at the bottom. The party ballot of the party receiving the most votes for
7president or governor at the last general election shall be on top with the other
8parties arranged in descending order based on their vote for president or governor
9at the last general election. The ballots of parties qualifying under sub. (2) shall be
10placed after the parties qualifying under par. (b), in the same order in which the
11parties filed petitions with the board. Any ballot required under par. (b) 2. shall be
12placed next in order. The ballot listing the independent candidates shall be placed
13at the bottom. At polling places where voting machines are used, each party and the
14independent candidates shall be represented in one or more separate columns or
15rows on the ballot. At polling places where an electronic voting system is used other
16than an electronic voting machine, each party and the independent candidates may
17be represented in separate columns or rows on the ballot.
SB116,8,718 (b) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2. and s. 5.64 (1) (e) 2., every recognized
19political party listed on the official ballot at the last gubernatorial election whose
20candidate for any statewide office received at least 1% of the total votes cast for that
21office and, if the last general election was also a presidential election, every
22recognized political party listed on the ballot at that election whose candidate for
23president received at least 1% of the total vote cast for that office shall have a
24separate primary ballot or one or more separate columns or rows on the primary
25ballot as prescribed in par. (a) and a separate column on the general election ballot

1in every ward and election district. An organization which was listed as
2"independent" at the last general election and whose candidate meets the same
3qualification shall receive the same ballot status upon petition of the chairperson
4and secretary of the organization to the board requesting such status and specifying
5their party name, which may not duplicate the name of an existing party. A petition
6under this subdivision may be filed no later than 5 p.m. on June May 1 in the year
7of each general election.
SB116,8,218 2. Subdivision 1. applies to a party within any assembly district or county at
9any September partisan primary election only if at least one candidate of the party
10for any national, state or county office qualifies to have his or her name appear on
11the ballot under the name of that party within that assembly district or county. The
12county clerk or county board of election commissioners shall provide a combined
13separate ballot or one or more separate columns or rows on the ballot that will permit
14an elector to cast a vote for a write-in candidate for the nomination of any such party
15for each national, state and county office whenever that party qualifies to be
16represented on a separate primary ballot or in one or more separate columns or rows
17under subd. 1. but does not qualify under this subdivision. The ballot shall include
18the name of each party qualifying for a separate ballot or one or more separate
19columns or rows on the ballot under each office, with the names of the candidates for
20each such party appearing in the same order in which the ballots of the parties would
21appear under par. (a).
SB116, s. 9 22Section 9. 5.62 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,9,1123 5.62 (2) (a) Except as provided in par. (b) and s. 5.64 (1) (e) 2., any political
24organization may be represented on a separate primary ballot or in one or more
25separate columns or rows on the primary ballot as prescribed in sub. (1) (a) and in

1a separate column on the general election ballot in every ward and election district.
2To qualify for a separate ballot under this paragraph, the political organization shall,
3not later than 5 p.m. on June May 1 in the year of the September partisan primary,
4file with the board a petition requesting separate ballot status. The petition shall
5be signed by at least 10,000 electors, including at least 1,000 electors residing in each
6of at least 3 separate congressional districts. The petition shall conform to the
7requirements of s. 8.40. No signature obtained before January 1 in the year of filing
8is valid. When the candidates of a political organization filing a valid petition fulfill
9the requirements prescribed by law, they shall appear on a separate ballot or one or
10more separate columns or rows on the ballot for the period ending with the following
11general election.
SB116,9,2512 (b) Paragraph (a) applies to a party within any assembly district or county at
13any September partisan primary election only if at least one candidate of the party
14for any national, state or county office qualifies to have his or her name appear on
15the ballot under the name of that party within that assembly district or county. The
16county clerk or county board of election commissioners shall provide a combined
17separate ballot or one or more separate columns or rows on the ballot that will permit
18an elector to cast a vote for a write-in candidate for the nomination of any such party
19for each national, state and county office whenever that party qualifies to be
20represented on a separate primary ballot or in one or more separate columns or rows
21under par. (a) but does not qualify under this paragraph. The ballot shall include the
22name of each party qualifying for a separate ballot or one or more separate columns
23or rows on the ballot under each office, with the names of the candidates for each such
24party appearing in the same order in which the ballots of the parties would appear
25under sub. (1) (a).
SB116, s. 10
1Section 10. 5.62 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,10,112 5.62 (3) The board shall designate the official primary ballot arrangement for
3statewide offices and district attorney within each prosecutorial district by using the
4same procedure as provided in s. 5.60 (1) (b). On each ballot and on each separate
5column or row on the ballot, the candidates for office shall be listed together with the
6offices which they seek in the following order whenever these offices appear on the
7September partisan primary ballot: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general,
8secretary of state, state treasurer, U.S. senator, U.S. representative in congress,
9state senator, representative to the assembly, district attorney and the county offices.
10Below the names of the independent candidates shall appear the party or principle
11of the candidates, if any, in 5 words or less, as shown on their nomination papers.
SB116, s. 11 12Section 11. 5.62 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,10,2013 5.62 (5) At the September partisan primary, an elector may vote for the
14candidates of only one party, or the elector may vote for any of the independent
15candidates for state office listed; but the elector may not vote for more than one
16candidate for a single office. A space shall be provided on the ballot for an elector to
17write in the name of his or her choice as a party candidate for any office, including
18a party candidate of a party whose name appears on the ballot, column or row
19designated for independent candidates, as provided in sub. (1) (b) or (2) (b), but no
20space shall be provided to write in the names of independent candidates.
SB116, s. 12 21Section 12. 6.22 (2) (e) of the statutes is created to read:
SB116,11,222 6.22 (2) (e) A military elector may file an application for an absentee ballot by
23means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission in the manner prescribed in s. 6.86
24(1) (ac). Upon receipt of a valid application, the municipal clerk shall send the elector
25an absentee ballot or, if the elector so requests, shall transmit an absentee ballot to

1the elector by means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission in the manner
2prescribed in s. 6.87 (3) (d).
SB116, s. 13 3Section 13. 6.22 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,11,104 6.22 (4) (a) A request for an absentee ballot by an individual who qualifies as
5a military elector shall be treated as a request for an absentee ballot for all elections
6unless the individual otherwise requests
. Upon receiving a timely request for an
7absentee ballot under par. (b) by an individual who qualifies as a military elector, the
8municipal clerk shall send or transmit to the elector an absentee ballot for all
9elections that occur in the municipality or portion thereof where the elector resides
10beginning on the date that the clerk receives the request.
SB116, s. 14 11Section 14. 6.22 (4) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,11,2212 6.22 (4) (e) Whenever the material is mailed, the material shall be prepared
13and mailed to make use of the federal free postage laws. If the material does not
14qualify for mailing without postage under federal free postage laws, the municipal
15clerk shall pay the postage required for mailing to the military elector. If the return
16envelope qualifies for mailing free of postage under federal free postage laws, the
17clerk shall affix the appropriate legend required by U.S. postal regulations.
18Otherwise the municipal clerk shall pay the postage required for return when the
19ballot is mailed from within the United States. If the ballot is not mailed by the
20military elector from within the United States the military elector shall provide
21return postage. The mailing list established under this subsection shall be kept
22current in the same manner as provided in s. 6.86 (2) (b).
SB116, s. 15 23Section 15. 6.22 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,12,1024 6.22 (6) Military elector list. Each municipal clerk shall keep an up-to-date
25list of all eligible military electors who reside in the municipality ; city clerks shall

1keep the lists by wards
in the format prescribed by the board. The list shall contain
2the name, latest-known military residence and military mailing address of each
3military elector. The list shall indicate whether each elector whose name appears on
4the list is a military elector, as defined in s. 6.36 (2) (c) 6.34 (1), and has so certified
5under s. 6.865 (3m). All persons over 18 years of age or who will be 18 years old prior
6to an election shall be listed and remain on the list for the duration of their tour of
7duty. The list shall be kept current through all possible means. Each clerk shall
8exercise reasonable care to avoid duplication of names or listing anyone who is not
9eligible to vote. Each clerk shall distribute 2 copies of one copy of the list to the
10appropriate ward each polling place in the municipality for use on election day.
SB116, s. 16 11Section 16. 6.221 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,12,13 126.221 (title) Counting of absentee ballots for certain military electors;
13September partisan primary and general election.
SB116, s. 17 14Section 17. 6.221 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,12,1615 6.221 (1) In this section, "military elector" has the meaning given in s. 6.36 (2)
16(c)
6.34 (1) and active duty status for any election is determined as of election day.
SB116, s. 18 17Section 18. 6.221 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,12,2218 6.221 (3) (a) At the September partisan primary, a ballot that is cast under s.
196.22 by an elector who is a military elector, that is received by mail from the U. S.
20postal service, and that is postmarked no later than election day shall be counted as
21provided in this section if it is received by a municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on
22the 7th day after the election.
SB116,13,323 (b) At the general election, the presidential preference primary, or a special
24election for national office,
a ballot that is cast under s. 6.22 by an elector who is a
25military elector, that is received by mail from the U.S. postal service, and that is

1postmarked no later than election day shall be counted as provided in this section if
2it is received by a municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on the 10th day after the
3election.
SB116, s. 19 4Section 19. 6.221 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,13,125 6.221 (5) No later than the closing hour of the polls on the day of the September
6partisan primary and the day of the general election, the municipal clerk of each
7municipality shall post at his or her office and on the Internet at a site announced
8by the clerk before the polls open, and shall make available to any person upon
9request, a statement of the number of absentee ballots that the clerk has mailed or
10transmitted to military electors under this section and that have not been returned
11to the polling places where the electors reside by the closing hour on election day. The
12posting shall not include the names or addresses of any military electors.
SB116, s. 20 13Section 20. 6.24 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,13,1914 6.24 (2) Eligibility. An overseas elector under sub. (1) may vote in any election
15for national office, including the September partisan primary and presidential
16preference primary and any special primary or election. Such elector may not vote
17in an election for state or local office. An overseas elector shall vote in the ward or
18election district in which the elector was last domiciled or in which the elector's
19parent was last domiciled prior to departure from the United States.
SB116, s. 21 20Section 21. 6.24 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,14,921 6.24 (4) (c) Upon receipt of a timely application from an individual who
22qualifies as an overseas elector and who has registered to vote in a municipality
23under sub. (3), the municipal clerk of the municipality shall send an absentee ballot
24to the individual for all subsequent elections for national office to be held during the
25year in which the ballot is requested, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph,

1unless the individual otherwise requests or until the individual no longer qualifies
2as an overseas elector. of the municipality. The clerk shall not send an absentee ballot
3for an election if the overseas elector's name appeared on the registration list in
4eligible status for a previous election following the date of the application but no
5longer appears on the list in eligible status. The municipal clerk shall ensure that
6the envelope containing the absentee ballot is clearly marked as not forwardable.
7If an overseas elector who files an application under this subsection no longer resides
8at the same address that is indicated on the application form, the elector shall so
9notify the municipal clerk.
SB116, s. 22 10Section 22. 6.24 (4) (e) of the statutes is created to read:
SB116,14,1611 6.24 (4) (e) An overseas elector may file an application for an absentee ballot
12by means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission in the manner prescribed in s.
136.86 (1) (ac). Upon receipt of a valid application, the municipal clerk shall send the
14elector an absentee ballot or, if the elector so requests, shall transmit an absentee
15ballot to the elector by means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission in the
16manner prescribed in s. 6.87 (3) (d).
SB116, s. 23 17Section 23. 6.25 (1) of the statutes is is renumbered 6.25 (1) (a) and amended
18to read:
SB116,15,319 6.25 (1) (a) Any individual who qualifies as a military elector under s. 6.22 (1)
20(b) or an overseas elector under s. 6.24 (1) and who transmits an application for an
21official absentee ballot for a general election any election, including a primary
22election,
no later than 30 days before election day the latest time specified for the
23elector in s. 6.86 (1) (b)
may, in lieu of the official ballot, cast a federal write-in
24absentee ballot prescribed under 42 USC 1973ff-2 for any candidate for an office
25listed on the official ballot
or for all of the candidates of any recognized political party

1for national office the offices listed on the official ballot at the general that election
2if the federal write-in absentee ballot is received by the appropriate municipal clerk
3no later than the applicable time prescribed in s. 6.221 (3) or 6.87 (6).
SB116, s. 24 4Section 24. 6.25 (1) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
SB116,15,135 6.25 (1) (b) Any individual who qualifies as an overseas elector under s. 6.24
6(1) and who transmits an application for an official absentee ballot for an election for
7national office, including a primary election, no later than the latest time specified
8for an elector in s. 6.86 (1) (b) may, in lieu of the official ballot, cast a federal write-in
9absentee ballot prescribed under 42 USC 1973ff-2 for any candidate or for all
10candidates of any recognized political party for national office listed on the official
11ballot at that election, if the federal write-in absentee ballot is received by the
12appropriate municipal clerk no later than the applicable time prescribed in s. 6.221
13(3) or 6.87 (6).
SB116, s. 25 14Section 25. 6.25 (4) (intro.), (a) and (b) of the statutes are consolidated,
15renumbered 6.25 (4) and amended to read:
SB116,15,2016 6.25 (4) A write-in absentee ballot issued under sub. (1), (2) or (3) is valid only
17if all of the following apply: (a) The ballot is submitted from a location outside the
18United States. (b) The
the elector submitting the ballot does not submit an official
19ballot within the time prescribed in s. 6.87 (6) and, if the elector is an overseas elector,
20the elector resides outside the United States
.
SB116, s. 26 21Section 26. 6.36 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,16,1222 6.36 (1) (a) The board shall compile and maintain electronically an official
23registration list. The list shall contain the name and address of each registered
24elector in the state, the date of birth of the elector, the ward and aldermanic district
25of the elector, if any, and, for each elector, a unique registration identification number

1assigned by the board, the number of a valid operator's license issued to the elector
2under ch. 343, if any, or the last 4 digits of the elector's social security account
3number, if any, any identification serial number issued to the elector under s. 6.47
4(3), the date of any election in which the elector votes, an indication of whether the
5elector is a military elector, as defined in sub. (2) (c) s. 6.34 (1), who has so certified
6under s. 6.865 (3m), an indication of whether the elector is an overseas elector, as
7defined in s. 6.24 (1), any information relating to the elector that appears on the
8current list transmitted to the board by the department of corrections under s. 301.03
9(20m), an indication of any accommodation required under s. 5.25 (4) (a) to permit
10voting by the elector, an indication of the method by which the elector's registration
11form was received, and such other information as may be determined by the board
12to facilitate administration of elector registration requirements.
SB116, s. 27 13Section 27. 6.50 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,17,614 6.50 (8) Any municipal governing body may direct the municipal clerk or board
15of election commissioners to arrange with the U.S. postal service pursuant to
16applicable federal regulations, to receive change of address information with respect
17to individuals residing within the municipality for revision of the elector registration
18list. If required by the U.S. postal service, the governing body may create a
19registration commission consisting of the municipal clerk or executive director of the
20board of election commissioners and 2 other electors of the municipality appointed
21by the clerk or executive director for the purpose of making application for address
22changes and processing the information received. The municipal clerk or executive
23director shall act as chairperson of the commission. Any authorization under this
24subsection shall be for a definite period or until the municipal governing body
25otherwise determines. The procedure shall apply uniformly to the entire

1municipality whenever used. The procedure shall provide for receipt of complete
2change of address information on an automatic basis, or not less often than once
3every 2 years during the 60 days preceding the close of registration for the September
4partisan primary. If a municipality adopts the procedure for obtaining address
5corrections under this subsection, it need not comply with the procedure for mailing
6address verification cards under subs. (1) and (2).
SB116, s. 28 7Section 28. 6.86 (1) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,17,118 6.86 (1) (a) (intro.) Any elector of a municipality who is registered to vote
9whenever required and who qualifies under ss. 6.20 and 6.85 as an absent elector
10may make written application to the municipal clerk of that municipality for an
11official ballot by one of the following methods:
SB116, s. 29 12Section 29. 6.86 (1) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,17,1413 6.86 (1) (a) 3. By signing a statement and filing a request to receive absentee
14ballots
under sub. (2) or (2m) (a) or s. 6.22 (4) or 6.24 (4).
SB116, s. 30 15Section 30. 6.86 (1) (ac) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,17,2116 6.86 (1) (ac) Any elector qualifying under par. (a) may make written application
17to the municipal clerk for an official ballot by means of facsimile transmission or
18electronic mail. Any application under this paragraph shall need not contain a copy
19of the applicant's original signature. An elector requesting a ballot under this
20paragraph shall return with the voted ballot a copy of the request bearing an original
21signature of the elector as provided in s. 6.87 (4).
SB116, s. 31 22Section 31. 6.86 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,18,1823 6.86 (1) (b) Except as provided in this section, if application is made by mail,
24the application, signed by the elector, shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on the
255th day immediately preceding the election. If application is made in person, the

1application shall be made no later than 5 p.m. on the day preceding the election. If
2Except as provided in par. (c), if the elector is making written application for an
3absentee ballot at the September partisan primary or, the general election, the
4presidential preference primary, or a special election for national office,
and the
5application indicates that the elector is a military elector, as defined in s. 6.36 (2) (c),
6the application shall be received by the municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on
7election day. If the application indicates that the reason for requesting an absentee
8ballot is that the elector is a sequestered juror, the application shall be received no
9later than 5 p.m. on election day. If the application is received after 5 p.m. on the
10Friday immediately preceding the election, the municipal clerk or the clerk's agent
11shall immediately take the ballot to the court in which the elector is serving as a juror
12and deposit it with the judge. The judge shall recess court, as soon as convenient,
13and give the elector the ballot. The judge shall then witness the voting procedure as
14provided in s. 6.87 and shall deliver the ballot to the clerk or agent of the clerk who
15shall deliver it to the polling place or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are
16canvassed under s. 7.52, to the municipal clerk as required in s. 6.88. If application
17is made under sub. (2) or (2m), the application may be received no later than 5 p.m.
18on the Friday immediately preceding the election.
SB116, s. 32 19Section 32 . 6.86 (1) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 2011 Wisconsin Act ....
20(this act), is amended to read:
SB116,19,1621 6.86 (1) (b) Except as provided in this section, if application is made by mail,
22the application shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on the 5th day immediately
23preceding the election. If application is made in person, the application shall be
24made no later than 5 p.m. on the day preceding the election. Except as provided in
25par. (c), if the elector is making written application for an absentee ballot at the

1partisan primary, the general election, the presidential preference primary, or a
2special election for national office, and the application indicates that the elector is
3a military elector, as defined in s. 6.36 (2) (c) 6.34 (1), the application shall be received
4by the municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on election day. If the application
5indicates that the reason for requesting an absentee ballot is that the elector is a
6sequestered juror, the application shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on election
7day. If the application is received after 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding
8the election, the municipal clerk or the clerk's agent shall immediately take the ballot
9to the court in which the elector is serving as a juror and deposit it with the judge.
10The judge shall recess court, as soon as convenient, and give the elector the ballot.
11The judge shall then witness the voting procedure as provided in s. 6.87 and shall
12deliver the ballot to the clerk or agent of the clerk who shall deliver it to the polling
13place or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, to the
14municipal clerk as required in s. 6.88. If application is made under sub. (2) or (2m),
15the application may be received no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately
16preceding the election.
SB116, s. 33 17Section 33. 6.86 (2m) of the statutes is renumbered 6.86 (2m) (a) and amended
18to read:
SB116,20,2019 6.86 (2m) (a) An Except as provided in this subsection, any elector other than
20an elector who is eligible to receive absentee ballots under sub. (2) receives an
21absentee ballot under s. 6.22 (4) or 6.24 (4) (c)
may by written application filed with
22the municipal clerk of the municipality where the elector resides require that an
23absentee ballot be sent to the elector automatically for every election that is held
24within the same calendar year in which the application is filed. The application form
25and instructions shall be prescribed by the board, and furnished upon request to any

1elector by each municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall thereupon mail an
2absentee ballot to the elector for all elections that are held in the municipality during
3the same calendar year that the application is filed, except that the clerk shall not
4send an absentee ballot for an election if the elector's name appeared on the
5registration list in eligible status for a previous election following the date of the
6application but no longer appears on the list in eligible status. The municipal clerk
7shall ensure that the envelope containing the absentee ballot is clearly marked as
8not forwardable. If an elector who files an application under this subsection no
9longer resides at the same address that is indicated on the application form, the
10elector shall so notify the municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall discontinue
11mailing absentee ballots to an elector under this subsection upon receipt of reliable
12information that the elector no longer qualifies for the service as an elector of the
13municipality. In addition, the municipal clerk shall discontinue mailing absentee
14ballots to an elector under this subsection if the elector fails to return any absentee
15ballot mailed to the elector
. The municipal clerk shall notify the elector of any such
16action not taken at the elector's request within 5 days, if possible. An elector who
17fails to cast an absentee ballot but who remains qualified to receive absentee ballots
18under this subsection may then receive absentee ballots for subsequent elections by
19notifying the municipal clerk that the elector wishes to continue receiving absentee
20ballots for subsequent elections.
SB116,20,24 21(b) If a municipal clerk is notified by an elector that the elector's residence is
22changed to another municipality within this state, the municipal clerk shall forward
23the request to the municipal clerk of that municipality and that municipal clerk shall
24honor the request, except as provided in this subsection.
SB116, s. 34 25Section 34. 6.865 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB116,21,1
16.865 (title) Federal absentee ballot requests ballots.
SB116, s. 35 2Section 35. 6.865 (3) of the statutes is repealed.
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