2015 Wisconsin Act 261

6.35 (2) The commission shall prescribe, by rule, the procedure and methods by which municipal clerks and boards of election commissioners shall maintain records of registrations that are entered electronically under s. 6.30 (5).

261,50 Section 50. 6.36 (1) (a) (intro.) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

6.36 (1) (a) (intro.) The commission shall compile and maintain electronically an official registration list. The list shall contain all of the following:

261,51 Section 51. 6.36 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 6.36 (1) (a) (intro.) and amended to read:

6.36 (1) (a) (intro.) The board shall compile and maintain electronically an official registration list. The list shall contain all of the following:

1. The name and address of each registered elector in the state, the.

2. The elector's date of birth of the elector, the.

3. The ward and aldermanic district of the elector, if any, and, for.

4. For each elector, a unique registration identification number assigned by the board, the.

5. The number of a valid operator's license issued to the elector under ch. 343, if any, or the last 4 digits of the elector's social security account number, if any, any .

6. Any identification serial number issued to the elector under s. 6.47 (3), the.

7. The date of any election in which the elector votes, an.

8. An indication of whether the elector is an overseas elector, as defined in s. 6.24 (1), any.

9. Any information relating to the elector that appears on the current list transmitted to the board by the department of corrections under s. 301.03 (20m), an.

10. An indication of any accommodation required under s. 5.25 (4) (a) to permit voting by the elector, an.

11. An indication of the method by which the elector's registration form was received, and an.

12. An indication of whether the elector was required under s. 6.34 to provide proof of residence and, if so, the type of identifying document submitted as proof of residence, the name of the entity or institution that issued the identifying document, and, if the identifying document included a number that applies only to the individual holding that document, up to the last 4 digits of that number. If the number on the identifying document submitted by the elector had 6 or fewer digits, the list under this paragraph may not contain more than the last 2 digits of that number.

(am) The list under this paragraph par. (a) may contain such other information as may be determined by the board to facilitate administration of elector registration requirements.

261,52 Section 52. 6.36 (1) (a) 4. of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

6.36 (1) (a) 4. For each elector, a unique registration identification number assigned by the commission.

261,53 Section 53. 6.36 (1) (a) 9. of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

6.36 (1) (a) 9. Any information relating to the elector that appears on the current list transmitted to the commission by the department of corrections under s. 301.03 (20m).

261,54 Section 54. 6.36 (1) (a) 13. to 16. of the statutes are created to read:

6.36 (1) (a) 13. A separate column indicating the date on which an elector applied to vote by in-person absentee ballot.

14. Separate columns indicating the date on which the clerk mailed an absentee ballot to an elector and the date on which the elector returned the absentee ballot.

15. A separate column indicating the polling location associated with each elector's address and ward or aldermanic district, if any.

16. A separate column indicating the mailing address for the municipal clerk associated with each polling location identified under subd. 15.

261,55 Section 55. 6.36 (1) (ae) of the statutes is created to read:

6.36 (1) (ae) 1. The chief election officer shall enter into a membership agreement with Electronic Registration Information Center, Inc., for the purpose of maintaining the official registration list under this section. Prior to entering into an agreement under this subdivision, the chief election officer shall ensure that the agreement satisfies all of the following conditions:

a. It safeguards the confidentiality of information or data in the registration list that may be subject to transfer under the agreement and to which access is restricted under par. (b) 1. a.

b. It prohibits the sale or distribution of the information or data in the registration list to a 3rd-party vendor and it prohibits any other action not associated with administration of or compliance with the agreement.

c. It does not affect the exemption for this state under the national voter registration act.

d. It allows the state to make contact with electors by electronic mail, whenever possible.

2. If the chief election officer enters into an agreement under subd. 1., the chief election officer shall comply with the terms of the agreement, including the transmission of information and data related to the registration of electors in this state to the Electronic Registration Information Center, Inc., for processing and sharing with other member states and governmental units.

261,56 Section 56. 6.36 (1) (am) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

6.36 (1) (am) The list under par. (a) may contain such other information as may be determined by the commission to facilitate administration of elector registration requirements.

261,57 Section 57. 6.36 (1) (b) 1. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

6.36 (1) (b) 1. a. Except as provided in pars. (ae), (bm), and (bn), no person other than an employee of the board, a county clerk, a deputy county clerk, an executive director of a county board of election commissioners, a deputy designated by the executive director, a municipal clerk, a deputy municipal clerk, an executive director of a city board of election commissioners, or a deputy designated by the executive director may view the date of birth, operator's license number, or social security account number of an elector, the address of an elector to whom an identification serial number is issued under s. 6.47 (3), or any indication of an accommodation required under s. 5.25 (4) (a) to permit voting by an elector.

261,58 Section 58. 6.36 (1) (b) 1. a. of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Acts 118 and .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

6.36 (1) (b) 1. a. Except as provided in pars. (ae), (bm), and (bn), no person other than an employee of the commission, a county clerk, a deputy county clerk, an executive director of a county board of election commissioners, a deputy designated by the executive director, a municipal clerk, a deputy municipal clerk, an executive director of a city board of election commissioners, or a deputy designated by the executive director may view the date of birth, operator's license number, or social security account number of an elector, the address of an elector to whom an identification serial number is issued under s. 6.47 (3), or any indication of an accommodation required under s. 5.25 (4) (a) to permit voting by an elector.

261,59 Section 59. 6.36 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

6.36 (2) (c) The list shall contain, next to the name of each elector, an indication of whether proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required for the elector to be permitted to vote. If proof of residence is provided, the type of identifying document submitted by the elector and the name of the entity or institution that issued the identifying document, or an indication that the information provided by the elector in lieu of proof of residence was verified under s. 6.34 (2m), shall be entered on the list in the space provided. Proof Except as provided in s. 6.34 (2m), proof of residence is required if the elector is not a military elector or an overseas elector and the elector registers by mail or by electronic application and has not previously voted in an election in this state.

261,60 Section 60. 6.36 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

6.36 (6) The board shall establish by rule the fee for obtaining a copy of the official registration list, or a portion of the list, including access to the subscription service established under s. 5.05 (14) (b). The amount of the fee shall be set, after consultation with county and municipal election officials, at an amount estimated to cover both the cost of reproduction and the cost of maintaining the list at the state and local level. The rules shall require that revenues from fees received be shared between the state and municipalities or their designees under s. 6.33 (5) (b), and shall specify a method for such allocation.

261,61 Section 61. 6.36 (6) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

6.36 (6) The commission shall establish by rule the fee for obtaining a copy of the official registration list, or a portion of the list, including access to the subscription service established under s. 5.05 (14) (b). The amount of the fee shall be set, after consultation with county and municipal election officials, at an amount estimated to cover both the cost of reproduction and the cost of maintaining the list at the state and local level. The rules shall require that revenues from fees received be shared between the state and municipalities or their designees under s. 6.33 (5) (b), and shall specify a method for such allocation.

261,62 Section 62. 6.40 of the statutes is repealed.

261,63 Section 63. 6.50 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

6.50 (3) Upon receipt of reliable information that a registered elector has changed his or her residence to a location outside of the municipality, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall notify the elector by mailing a notice by 1st class mail to the elector's registration address stating the source of the information. All municipal departments and agencies receiving information that a registered elector has changed his or her residence shall notify the clerk or board of election commissioners. If the elector no longer resides in the municipality or fails to apply for continuation of registration within 30 days of the date the notice is mailed, the clerk or board of election commissioners shall change the elector's registration from eligible to ineligible status. Upon receipt of reliable information that a registered elector has changed his or her residence within the municipality, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall transfer change the elector's registration and mail the elector a notice of the transfer under s. 6.40 (2) change. This subsection does not restrict the right of an elector to challenge any registration under s. 6.325, 6.48, 6.925, 6.93, or 7.52 (5).

261,64 Section 64. 6.50 (10) of the statutes is amended to read:

6.50 (10) Any qualified elector whose registration is changed from eligible to ineligible status under this section may reregister as provided under s. 6.28 (1), 6.29 (2), or 6.55 (2), or, if the elector has a current and valid operator's license issued to the elector under ch. 343 or a current and valid identification card issued under s. 343.50, may reregister under s. 6.30 (5).

261,65 Section 65. 6.55 (2) (a) 2. of the statutes is repealed.

261,66 Section 66. 6.55 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

6.55 (2) (b) Upon executing the registration form under par. (a), the elector shall provide proof of residence under s. 6.34. The signing by the elector executing the registration form shall be in the presence of the special election registration deputy official or inspector. Upon receipt of the registration form, the deputy official or inspector shall enter both the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence and the name of the entity or institution that issued the identifying document, and, if the identifying document includes a number that applies only to the individual holding that document, that number in the space provided on the form. The deputy official or inspector shall then print his or her name on and sign the form, indicating that the deputy official or inspector has accepted the form. Upon compliance with this procedure, the elector shall be permitted to cast his or her vote, if the elector complies with all other requirements for voting at the polling place.

261,67 Section 67. 6.55 (2) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

6.55 (2) (c) 1. As an alternative to registration at the polling place under pars. (a) and (b), the board of election commissioners, or the governing body of any municipality, may by resolution require a person who qualifies as an elector and who is not registered and desires to register on the day of an election to do so at another readily accessible location in the same building as the polling place serving the elector's residence or at an alternate polling place assigned under s. 5.25 (5) (b), instead of at the polling place serving the elector's residence. In such case, the municipal clerk shall prominently post a notice of the registration location at the polling place. An eligible elector who desires to register shall execute a registration form as prescribed under par. (a) and provide proof of residence as provided under s. 6.34. The signing by the person executing the registration form shall be in the presence of the municipal clerk, deputy clerk, or special election registration deputy official. Upon receipt of the registration form, the municipal clerk, deputy clerk, or special election registration deputy official shall enter the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence, the name of the entity or institution that issued the identifying document, and, if the identifying document includes a number that applies only to the individual holding that document, the last 4 digits of that number in the space provided on the form. If the number on the identifying document submitted by the elector has 6 or fewer digits, the clerk shall enter only the last 2 digits of that number. The municipal clerk, the deputy clerk, or the special election registration deputy official shall then print his or her name and sign the form, indicating that the clerk, deputy clerk, or deputy official has accepted the form. Upon proper completion of registration, the municipal clerk, deputy clerk, or special election registration deputy official shall serially number the registration and give one copy to the person for presentation at the polling place serving the person's residence or an alternate polling place assigned under s. 5.25 (5) (b).

261,68 Section 68. 6.55 (2) (cs) of the statutes is amended to read:

6.55 (2) (cs) The board shall provide to each municipal clerk a list prepared for use at each polling place showing the name and address of each person whose name appears on the list provided by the department of corrections under s. 301.03 (20m) as ineligible to vote on the date of the election, whose address is located in the area served by that polling place, and whose name does not appear on the poll list for that polling place. Prior to permitting an elector to register to vote under this subsection or s. 6.86 (3) (a) 2., the inspectors or special election registration deputies officials shall review the list. If the name of an elector who wishes to register to vote appears on the list, the inspectors or special election registration deputies officials shall inform the elector or the elector's agent that the elector is ineligible to register to vote. If the elector or the elector's agent maintains that the elector is eligible to vote in the election, the inspectors or special election registration deputies officials shall permit the elector to register but shall mark the elector's registration form as "ineligible to vote per Department of Corrections." If the elector wishes to vote, the inspectors shall require the elector to vote by ballot and shall challenge the ballot as provided in s. 6.79 (2) (dm).

261,69 Section 69. 6.55 (2) (cs) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

6.55 (2) (cs) The commission shall provide to each municipal clerk a list prepared for use at each polling place showing the name and address of each person whose name appears on the list provided by the department of corrections under s. 301.03 (20m) as ineligible to vote on the date of the election, whose address is located in the area served by that polling place, and whose name does not appear on the poll list for that polling place. Prior to permitting an elector to register to vote under this subsection or s. 6.86 (3) (a) 2., the inspectors or election registration officials shall review the list. If the name of an elector who wishes to register to vote appears on the list, the inspectors or election registration officials shall inform the elector or the elector's agent that the elector is ineligible to register to vote. If the elector or the elector's agent maintains that the elector is eligible to vote in the election, the inspectors or election registration officials shall permit the elector to register but shall mark the elector's registration form as "ineligible to vote per Department of Corrections." If the elector wishes to vote, the inspectors shall require the elector to vote by ballot and shall challenge the ballot as provided in s. 6.79 (2) (dm).

261,70 Section 70. 6.55 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

6.55 (2) (d) A registered elector who has changed his or her name but resides at the same address, and has not notified previously provided notice of the change to the municipal clerk under s. 6.40 (1) (c), shall notify the inspector of the change before voting. The inspector shall then notify the municipal clerk at the time when materials are returned under s. 6.56 (1). If an elector has changed both a name and address, the elector shall register at the polling place or other registration location under pars. (a) and (b).

261,71 Section 71. 6.55 (6) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 39, is amended to read:

6.55 (6) Any of the registration duties of inspectors under sub. (2) may be carried out in the municipality by the municipal clerk or by special registration deputies appointed by the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners at any polling place or other registration location whenever the clerk or board of election commissioners determines that the registration process provided for in that subsection will be facilitated thereby. The municipal clerk, however, may not carry out the registration duties of the inspectors under sub. (2) if the municipal clerk is a candidate on the ballot for that election day. The deputies shall be specially appointed by the clerk or board of election commissioners for one election only to conduct elector registration only.

261,72 Section 72. 6.79 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:

6.79 (1m) Separate poll lists. Two election officials at each election ward shall be in charge of and shall maintain 2 separate poll lists containing information relating to all persons voting. The municipal clerk may elect to maintain the information on the lists poll list manually or electronically. If the lists are maintained clerk elects to maintain the list electronically, the board shall prescribe a supplemental list that contains the full name, address, and space for the entry of the signature of each elector, or if the elector is exempt from the signature requirement under s. 6.36 (2) (a), the word "exempt". If the lists are maintained electronically, the officials shall enter the information into an electronic data recording system that enables retrieval of printed copies of the lists at the polling place an election official at each election ward shall be in charge of and shall maintain the poll list. The system employed to maintain the list electronically is subject to the approval of the board. If the clerk elects to maintain the information manually, 2 election officials at each election ward shall be in charge of and shall maintain 2 separate poll lists.

261,73 Section 73. 6.79 (1m) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

6.79 (1m) Separate poll lists. The municipal clerk may elect to maintain the information on the poll list manually or electronically. If the clerk elects to maintain the list electronically, an election official at each election ward shall be in charge of and shall maintain the poll list. The system employed to maintain the list electronically is subject to the approval of the commission. If the clerk elects to maintain the information manually, 2 election officials at each election ward shall be in charge of and shall maintain 2 separate poll lists.

261,74 Section 74. 6.79 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

6.79 (2) (d) If the poll list indicates that proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required and the proof of identification document provided by the elector under par. (a) does not constitute proof of residence under s. 6.34, the officials shall require the elector to provide proof of residence. If proof of residence is provided, the officials shall enter both the type of identifying document submitted as proof of residence and the name of the entity or institution that issued the identifying document in the space provided on the poll list and shall verify that the name and address on the identifying document is the same as the name and address shown on the registration list. If proof of residence is required and not provided, or if the elector does not present proof of identification under par. (a), whenever required, the officials shall offer the opportunity for the elector to vote under s. 6.97.

261,75 Section 75. 6.86 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

6.86 (3) (b) When each properly executed form and statement required under par. (a) is presented to the municipal clerk, if the elector who proposes to vote is qualified, an absentee ballot shall be issued and the name of such hospitalized elector shall be recorded by the clerk or special registration deputy. An agent who is issued an absentee ballot under this section shall present documentation of his or her identity, provide his or her name and address, and attest to a statement that the ballot is received solely for the benefit of a named elector who is hospitalized, and the agent will promptly transmit the ballot to such person.

261,76 Section 76. 6.87 (4) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

6.87 (4) (b) 1. Except as otherwise provided in s. 6.875, the elector voting absentee shall make and subscribe to the certification before one witness who is an adult U.S. citizen. The absent elector, in the presence of the witness, shall mark the ballot in a manner that will not disclose how the elector's vote is cast. The elector shall then, still in the presence of the witness, fold the ballots so each is separate and so that the elector conceals the markings thereon and deposit them in the proper envelope. If a consolidated ballot under s. 5.655 is used, the elector shall fold the ballot so that the elector conceals the markings thereon and deposit the ballot in the proper envelope. If proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required and the document enclosed by the elector under this subdivision does not constitute proof of residence under s. 6.34, the elector shall also enclose proof of residence under s. 6.34 in the envelope. Proof Except as provided in s. 6.34 (2m), proof of residence is required if the elector is not a military elector or an overseas elector and the elector registered by mail or by electronic application and has not voted in an election in this state. If the elector requested a ballot by means of facsimile transmission or electronic mail under s. 6.86 (1) (ac), the elector shall enclose in the envelope a copy of the request which bears an original signature of the elector. The elector may receive assistance under sub. (5). The return envelope shall then be sealed. The witness may not be a candidate. The envelope shall be mailed by the elector, or delivered in person, to the municipal clerk issuing the ballot or ballots. If the envelope is mailed from a location outside the United States, the elector shall affix sufficient postage unless the ballot qualifies for delivery free of postage under federal law. Failure to return an unused ballot in a primary does not invalidate the ballot on which the elector's votes are cast. Return of more than one marked ballot in a primary or return of a ballot prepared under s. 5.655 or a ballot used with an electronic voting system in a primary which is marked for candidates of more than one party invalidates all votes cast by the elector for candidates in the primary.

261,77 Section 77. 6.87 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

6.87 (6) Except as provided in s. 7.515 (3), the The ballot shall be returned so it is received by the municipal clerk delivered to the polling place no later than 8 p.m. on election day. Except in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, if the municipal clerk receives an absentee ballot on election day, the clerk shall secure the ballot and cause the ballot to be delivered to the polling place serving the elector's residence before the closing hour. Except as provided in s. 7.515 (3), any 8 p.m. Any ballot not mailed or delivered as provided in this subsection may not be counted.

261,78 Section 78. 6.87 (6d) of the statutes is created to read:

6.87 (6d) If a certificate is missing the address of a witness, the ballot may not be counted.

261,79 Section 79. 7.03 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

7.03 (1) (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 other 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.

261,80 Section 80. 7.08 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

7.08 (1) (c) Prescribe forms required by ss. 6.24 (3) and (4), 6.30 (4) and (5), 6.33 (1), 6.40 (1) (a), 6.47 (1) (am) 2. and (3), 6.55 (2), and 6.86 (2) to (3). All such forms shall contain a statement of the penalty applicable to false or fraudulent registration or voting through use of the form. Forms are not required to be furnished by the board.

261,81 Section 81. 7.08 (1) (c) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

7.08 (1) (c) Prescribe forms required by ss. 6.24 (3) and (4), 6.30 (4) and (5), 6.33 (1), 6.47 (1) (am) 2. and (3), 6.55 (2), and 6.86 (2) to (3). All such forms shall contain a statement of the penalty applicable to false or fraudulent registration or voting through use of the form. Forms are not required to be furnished by the commission.

261,82 Section 82. 7.30 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

7.30 (2) (a) Only election officials appointed under this section or s. 6.875 may conduct an election. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph and in ss. 7.15 (1) (k) and 7.52 (1) (b), each election official shall be a qualified elector of a county in which the municipality where the official serves is located, and each chief inspector shall be a qualified elector of the municipality in which the chief inspector serves. If no qualified candidate for chief inspector is available or if the chief inspector is appointed to fill a vacancy under par. (b), the person so appointed need not be a qualified elector of the municipality. If a municipal clerk or deputy clerk serves as a registration deputy or is appointed to fill a vacancy under par. (b), the clerk or deputy clerk need not be a resident of the county, but shall be a resident of the state. No more than 2 individuals holding the office of clerk or deputy clerk may serve without regard to county residency in any municipality at any election. Special registration deputies who are appointed under s. 6.55 (6) may be appointed to serve more than one polling place. All officials appointed under this section shall be able to read and write the English language, be capable, and be of good understanding, and may not be a candidate for any office to be voted for at an election at which they serve. In 1st class cities, they may hold no public office other than notary public. Except as authorized under subs. (1) (b) and (4) (c), all inspectors shall be affiliated with one of the 2 recognized political parties which received the largest number of votes for president, or governor in nonpresidential general election years, in the ward or combination of wards served by the polling place at the last election. Excluding the inspector who may be appointed under sub. (1) (b), the party which received the largest number of votes is entitled to one more inspector than the party receiving the next largest number of votes at each polling place. Whenever 2 or more inspectors are required to perform a function within a polling place and both parties that are entitled to submit nominees have done so, the chief inspector shall assign, insofar as practicable, an equal number of inspectors from the nominees of each party.

261,83 Section 83. 7.31 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

7.31 (1) The board shall, by rule, prescribe establish requirements for certification of individuals to serve as chief inspectors. The requirements shall include a requirement to attend at least one training session held under sub. (5) before beginning service. The requirements shall not include taking an examination.

261,84 Section 84. 7.31 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read: