Amendment AA1-ASA1-SB55

SB55-ASA1-AA1,50,9 6.24 (6) Instructions and handling. The municipal clerk shall send a ballot, as soon as available, to each overseas elector by whom a request has been made. The board shall prescribe the instructions for marking or punching and returning ballots and the municipal clerk shall enclose such instructions with each ballot. The envelope, return envelope and instructions may not contain the name of any candidate appearing on the enclosed ballots other than that of the municipal clerk affixed in the fulfillment of his or her duties. Except as authorized in s. 6.87 (3), the municipal clerk shall mail the material postage prepaid to any place in the world. The overseas elector shall provide return postage.

SB55-ASA1-AA1,50,14 (7) Voting procedure. Except as authorized under s. 6.25, the ballot shall be marked or punched and returned, deposited and recorded in the same manner as other absentee ballots. In addition, the certificate shall have a statement of the elector's birth date. Failure to return the unused ballots in a primary election does not invalidate the ballot on which the elector casts his or her votes.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 68ab Section 68ab. 6.82 (1) (a) and (2) (a) and (b) of the statutes are amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,51,8 6.82 (1) (a) When any inspectors are informed that an elector is at the entrance to the polling place who as a result of disability is unable to enter the polling place, they shall permit the elector to be assisted in marking or punching a ballot by any individual selected by the elector, except the elector's employer or an agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a labor organization which represents the elector. The inspectors shall issue a ballot to the individual selected by the elector and shall accompany the individual to the polling place entrance where the assistance is to be given. If the ballot is a paper ballot, the assisting individual shall fold the ballot after the ballot is marked or punched by the assisting individual. The assisting individual shall then immediately take the ballot into the polling place and give the ballot to an inspector. The inspector shall distinctly announce that he or she has "a ballot offered by .... (stating person's name), an elector who, as a result of disability, is unable to enter the polling place without assistance". The inspector shall then ask, "Does anyone object to the reception of this ballot?" If no objection is made, the inspectors shall record the elector's name under s. 6.79 and deposit the ballot in the ballot box, and shall make a notation on the registration or poll list: "Ballot received at poll entrance".

SB55-ASA1-AA1,51,19 (2) (a) If an elector declares to the presiding election official that he or she cannot read or write, or has difficulty in reading, writing or understanding English or that due to disability is unable to mark or punch a ballot or depress a button or lever on a voting machine, the elector shall be informed by the officials that he or she may have assistance. When assistance is requested, the elector may select any individual to assist in casting his or her vote. The selected individual rendering assistance may not be the elector's employer or an agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a labor organization which represents the elector. The selected individual shall certify on the back of the ballot that it was marked or punched with his or her assistance. Where voting machines are used, certification shall be made on the registration list.

SB55-ASA1-AA1,51,24 (b) The individual chosen shall enter the voting booth or machine with the elector and shall read the names of all candidates on the ballot for each office, and ask, "For which one do you vote?". The ballot shall be marked or punched or the lever or button depressed according to the elector's expressed preference. The individual selected to assist may not disclose to anyone how the elector voted.".

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 69e Section 69e. 6.87 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,52,20 6.87 (3) (d) Unless a municipality uses an electronic voting system that requires an elector to punch a ballot in order to record the elector's votes, a A municipal clerk of a municipality may, if the clerk is reliably informed by an absent elector of a facsimile transmission number or electronic mail address where the elector can receive an absentee ballot, transmit a facsimile or electronic copy of the absent elector's ballot to that elector in lieu of mailing under this subsection if, in the judgment of the clerk, the time required to send the ballot through the mail may not be sufficient to enable return of the ballot by the time provided under sub. (6). An elector may receive an absentee ballot under this subsection only if the elector has filed a valid application for the ballot under sub. (1). If the clerk transmits an absentee ballot under this paragraph, the clerk shall also transmit a facsimile or electronic copy of the text of the material that appears on the certificate envelope prescribed in sub. (2), together with instructions prescribed by the board. The instructions shall require the absent elector to make and subscribe to the certification as required under sub. (4) and to enclose the absentee ballot in a separate envelope contained within a larger envelope, that shall include the completed certificate. The elector shall then mail the absentee ballot with postage prepaid to the municipal clerk. An absentee ballot received under this paragraph shall not be counted unless it is cast in the manner prescribed in this paragraph and in accordance with the instructions provided by the board.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 69m Section 69m. 6.87 (4) and (5) of the statutes are amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,53,13 6.87 (4) Except as otherwise provided in s. 6.875, the elector voting absentee shall make and subscribe to the certification before one witness. The absent elector, in the presence of the witness, shall mark or punch 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 if they are paper 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 if it is a paper ballot so that the elector conceals the markings thereon and deposit the ballot in the proper envelope. 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, postage prepaid, or delivered in person, to the municipal clerk issuing the ballot or ballots. 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 or punched 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 or punched for candidates of more than one party invalidates all votes cast by the elector for candidates in the primary.

SB55-ASA1-AA1,53,20 (5) If the absent elector declares that he or she is unable to read, has difficulty in reading, writing or understanding English or due to disability is unable to mark or punch his or her ballot, the elector may select any individual, except the elector's employer or an agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a labor organization which represents the elector, to assist in marking or punching the ballot, and the assistant shall then sign his or her name to a certification on the back of the ballot, as provided under s. 5.55.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 69s Section 69s. 6.875 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,55,10 6.875 (6) Special voting deputies in each municipality shall, not later than 5 p.m. on the Friday preceding an election, arrange one or more convenient times with the administrator of each nursing home or qualified retirement home and qualified community-based residential facility in the municipality from which one or more occupants have filed an application under s. 6.86 to conduct absentee voting for the election. The time may be no earlier than the 4th Monday preceding the election and no later than 5 p.m. on the Monday preceding the election. Upon request of a relative of an occupant of a nursing home or qualified retirement home or qualified community-based residential facility, the administrator may notify the relative of the time or times at which special voting deputies will conduct absentee voting at the home or facility, and permit the relative to be present in the room where the voting is conducted. At the designated time, 2 deputies appointed under sub. (4) shall visit the nursing home or qualified retirement home or qualified community-based residential facility. The municipal clerk or executive director of the board of election commissioners shall issue a supply of absentee ballots to the deputies sufficient to provide for the number of valid applications received by the clerk, and a reasonable additional number of ballots. The municipal clerk or executive director shall keep a careful record of all ballots issued to the deputies and shall require the deputies to return every ballot issued to them. The deputies shall personally offer each elector who has filed a proper application the opportunity to cast his or her absentee ballot. If an elector is present who has not filed a proper application, the 2 deputies may accept an application from the elector and shall issue a ballot to the elector if the elector is qualified and the application is proper. The deputies shall administer the oath and may, upon request of the elector, assist the elector in marking or punching the elector's ballot. Upon request of the elector, a relative of the elector who is present in the room may assist the elector in marking or punching the elector's ballot. All voting shall be conducted in the presence of the deputies. No individual other than a deputy may administer the oath and no individual other than a deputy or relative of an elector may render voting assistance to the elector. Upon completion of the voting, the deputies shall promptly deliver, either personally or by 1st class mail, any absentee ballot applications and the sealed certificate envelope containing each ballot to the clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality in which the elector casting the ballot resides, within such time as will permit delivery to the polling place serving the elector's residence on election day. Personal delivery may be made by the deputies no later than noon on election day. If a qualified elector is not able to cast his or her ballot on 2 separate visits by the deputies to the nursing home or qualified retirement home, they shall so inform the municipal clerk or executive director of the board of election commissioners, who may then send the ballot to the elector no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday preceding the election.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 76ab Section 76ab. 7.08 (7) of the statutes is created to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,55,16 7.08 (7) Voting system transitional assistance. From the appropriation under s. 20.510 (1) (c), provide assistance to municipalities that used punch card electronic voting systems at the 2001 spring election to enable the municipalities to employ another type of electronic voting system, and provide training for election officials in the use of replacement systems.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 76ac Section 76ac. 7.08 (7) of the statutes, as created by 2001 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 81m Section 81m. 7.15 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,55,23 7.15 (3) (b) Sample ballots, and voting machine ballots and ballot labels for electronic voting systems, whenever the labels are affixed to the voting devices, shall be furnished to the officials in the ward or election district at least one day before each election.".

SB55-ASA1-AA1,55,24 10. Page 3, line 3: after that line insert:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,56,1 " Section 87f. 7.33 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,56,12 7.33 (4) Each Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, each local governmental unit, as defined in s. 16.97 (7), may, and each state agency shall, upon proper application under sub. (3), permit each of its employees to serve as an election official without loss of fringe benefits or seniority privileges earned for scheduled working hours during the period specified in sub. (3), and without loss of pay for scheduled working hours during the period specified in sub. (3) except as provided in sub. (5), and shall not impose without any other penalty upon an employee who serves as an election official. For employees who are included in a collective bargaining unit for which a representative is recognized or certified under subch. V of ch. 111, this subsection shall apply unless otherwise provided in a collective bargaining agreement.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 87m Section 87m. 7.33 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,56,21 7.33 (5) Any employee of the state a local governmental unit, as defined in s. 16.97 (7), or state agency who obtains a paid leave of absence under sub. (4) in order to serve as an election official under s. 7.30 shall certify in writing to the head of the local governmental unit or state agency by which he or she is employed the amount of compensation that the employee receives for such service. Upon receipt of the certification, the head of the local governmental unit or state agency shall deduct that amount from the employee's pay earned for scheduled working hours during the period specified in sub. (2) when the employee is on a paid leave of absence.".

SB55-ASA1-AA1,56,22 11. Page 3, line 3: after that line insert:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,56,23 " Section 88. 7.37 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,57,2 7.37 (7) Registration and poll Poll lists. Two inspectors shall be assigned to have charge of the registration or poll lists at each election.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 89 Section 89. 7.51 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,57,16 7.51 (2) (a) The inspectors shall first compare the poll or registration lists, correcting any mistakes until the poll or registration 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 or registration lists after the polls close by each signing their name thereto. Where ballots are distributed to electors, 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).

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 90 Section 90. 7.51 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,58,2 7.51 (2) (c) Whenever the number of ballots exceeds the number of voting electors as indicated on the poll or registration list, the inspectors shall place all ballots face up to check for blank ballots. In this paragraph, "blank ballot" means a ballot on which no votes are cast for any office or question. The inspectors shall mark, lay aside and preserve any blank ballots. If the number of ballots still exceeds the number of voting electors, the inspectors shall place all ballots face down and proceed to check for the initials. The inspectors shall mark, lay aside and preserve any ballot not bearing the initials of 2 inspectors or any absentee ballot not bearing the initials of the municipal clerk. During the count the inspectors shall count those ballots cast by challenged electors the same as the other ballots.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 91d Section 91d. 7.51 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,58,21 7.51 (2) (e) If, after any ballots have been laid aside, the number of ballots still exceeds the total number of electors recorded on the registration or poll list, the inspectors shall separate the absentee ballots from the other ballots. If there is an excess number of absentee ballots, the inspectors shall place the absentee ballots in the ballot box and one of the inspectors shall publicly and without examination draw therefrom by chance the number of ballots equal to the excess number of absentee ballots. If there is an excess number of other ballots, the inspectors shall place those ballots in the ballot box and one of the inspectors shall publicly and without examination draw therefrom by chance the number of ballots equal to the excess number of those ballots. All ballots so removed may not be counted but shall be specially marked as having been removed by the inspectors on original canvass due to an excess number of ballots, set aside and preserved. When the number of ballots and total shown on the poll or registration list agree, the inspectors shall return all ballots to be counted to the ballot box and shall turn the ballot box in such manner as to thoroughly mix the ballots. The inspectors shall then open, count and record the number of votes. When the ballots are counted, the inspectors shall separate them into piles for ballots similarly voted. Objections may be made to placement of ballots in the piles at the time the separation is made.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 92d Section 92d. 7.51 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,59,11 7.51 (4) (a) The tally sheets shall state the total number of votes cast for each office and for each individual receiving votes for that office, whether or not the individual's name appears on the ballot, and shall state the vote for and against each proposition voted on. Upon completion of the tally sheets, the inspectors shall immediately complete inspectors' statements in duplicate. The inspectors shall state the excess, if any, by which the number of ballots exceeds the number of electors voting as shown by the poll or registration list, if any, and shall state the number of the last elector as shown by the registration or poll lists. At least 3 inspectors, including the chief inspector and, unless election officials are appointed under s. 7.30 (4) (c) without regard to party affiliation, at least one inspector representing each political party, shall then certify to the correctness of the statements and tally sheets and sign their names. All other election officials assisting with the tally shall also certify to the correctness of the tally sheets. When the tally is complete, the inspectors shall publicly announce the results from the statements.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 93 Section 93. 7.51 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,60,10 7.51 (5) Returns. The inspectors shall make full and accurate return of the votes cast for each candidate and proposition on tally sheet blanks provided by the municipal clerk for the purpose. Each tally sheet shall record the returns for each office or referendum by ward, unless combined returns are authorized in accordance with s. 5.15 (6) (b) in which case the tally sheet shall record the returns for each group of combined wards. After recording the votes, the inspectors shall seal in a carrier envelope outside the ballot bag or container one inspectors' statement under sub. (4) (a), one tally sheet and one poll or registration list for delivery to the county clerk, unless the election relates only to municipal or school district offices or referenda. The inspectors shall also similarly seal one inspectors' statement, one tally sheet and one poll or registration list for delivery to the municipal clerk. For school district elections, except in 1st class cities, the inspectors shall similarly seal one inspectors' statement, one tally sheet and one poll or registration list for delivery to the school district clerk. The inspectors shall immediately deliver all ballots, statements, tally sheets, lists and envelopes to the municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall arrange for delivery of all ballots, statements, tally sheets, lists and envelopes relating to a school district election to the school district clerk. The municipal clerk shall deliver the ballots, statements, tally sheets, lists and envelopes for his or her municipality relating to any county, technical college district, state or national election to the county clerk by 2 p.m. on the day following each such election. The person delivering the returns shall be paid out of the municipal treasury. Each clerk receiving ballots, statements, tally sheets or envelopes shall retain them until destruction is authorized under s. 7.23 (1).

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 94 Section 94. 9.01 (1) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,60,13 9.01 (1) (b) 1. The board of canvassers shall first compare the registration or poll lists and determine the number of voting electors.".

SB55-ASA1-AA1,60,14 12. Page 3, line 3: after that line insert:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,60,15 " Section 93m. 9.01 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,61,20 9.01 (1) (a) Any candidate voted for at any election or any elector who voted upon any referendum question at any election may request a recount. The petitioner shall file a verified petition or petitions accompanied by the fee prescribed in par. (ag), if any, with the proper clerk or body under par. (ar) not earlier than the time of completion of the canvass and not later than 5 p.m. on the 3rd business day following the last meeting day of the municipal or county board of canvassers determining the election for that office or on that referendum question 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. If the chairperson of the board or chairperson's designee makes the determination for the office or the referendum question, the petitioner shall file the petition not earlier than the last meeting day of the last county board of canvassers to make a statement in the election or referendum and not later than 5 p.m. on the 3rd business day following the day on which the elections board receives the last statement from a county board of canvassers for the election or referendum. Each verified petition shall state that at the election the petitioner was a candidate for the office in question or that he or she voted on the referendum question in issue; that the petitioner is informed and believes that a mistake or fraud has been committed in a specified ward or municipality in the counting and return of the votes cast for the office or upon the question; or shall specify any other defect, irregularity or illegality in the conduct of the election. The petition shall specify each ward, or each municipality where no wards exist, in which a recount is desired. If a recount is requested for all wards within a jurisdiction, each ward need not be specified. The petition may be amended to include information discovered as a result of the investigation of the board of canvassers or the chairperson of the board or chairperson's designee after the filing of the petition, if the petitioner moves to amend the petition as soon as possible after the petitioner discovered or reasonably should have discovered the information which is the subject of the amendment and the petitioner was unable to include information in the original petition.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 93n Section 93n. 9.01 (1) (ad) of the statutes is created to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,61,25 9.01 (1) (ad) Upon receiving a petition for a recount, the clerk or body receiving the petition shall calculate any fee due under par. (ag) 1m. or reasonably estimate any fee due under par. (ag) 2. The clerk or body shall provide the petitioner promptly with the total due or estimate.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 93o Section 93o. 9.01 (1) (ag) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,62,8 9.01 (1) (ag) 1. Each petition for a recount shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in this paragraph. If the difference between the votes cast for the leading candidate and those cast for the petitioner 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 less not more than .5% 0.5% of the total votes cast for the office or on the question if more than 1,000 votes are cast, the petitioner is not required to pay a fee.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 93p Section 93p. 9.01 (1) (ag) 1m. of the statutes is created to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,62,16 9.01 (1) (ag) 1m. If the difference between the votes cast for the leading candidate and those cast for the petitioner 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, 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.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 93q Section 93q. 9.01 (1) (ag) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,62,24 9.01 (1) (ag) 2. If the difference between the votes cast for the leading candidate and those cast for the petitioner 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 at least .5% more than 2% if more than 1,000 votes are cast, the petitioner shall pay a fee of $5 for equal to the actual cost of performing the recount in each ward for which the petition requests a ballot recount, or $5 for in each municipality for which the petition request a recount where no wards exist.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 93r Section 93r. 9.01 (1) (ag) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,63,4 9.01 (1) (ag) 3. All fees calculated or estimated under par. (ad) shall be prepaid in cash or another form of payment which is acceptable to the officer to whom they are paid. No petition for which a fee is required is valid unless the proper calculated or estimated fee is paid at the time of filing.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 93s Section 93s. 9.01 (1) (ag) 3m. of the statutes is created to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,63,11 9.01 (1) (ag) 3m. The petitioner shall pay any balance owing toward the fee due under subd. 2. within 30 days after the clerk or body receiving the petition provides the petitioner with a written statement of the amount due. If the petitioner has overpaid the fee due under subd. 2. the clerk or body receiving the petition shall refund the amount overpaid within 30 days after the board of canvassers makes its determination in the recount.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 93t Section 93t. 9.01 (1) (ar) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,64,3 9.01 (1) (ar) 3. Upon receipt of Whenever a clerk receives a valid petition and any payment under par. (ag) 3., the clerk shall thereupon notify the proper board of canvassers. Upon receipt of Whenever the board receives a valid petition by the board and any payment under par. (ag) 3., the board shall promptly by certified mail or other expeditious means order the proper county boards of canvassers to commence the recount. County boards of canvassers shall convene no later than 9 a.m. on the second day following after receipt of an order and may adjourn for not more than one day at a time until the recount is completed in the county, except that the board may permit extension of the time for adjournment. Returns from a recount ordered by the board shall be transmitted to the office of the board as soon as possible, but in no case later than 13 days from the date of the order of the board directing the recount. The chairperson of the board or the chairperson's designee may not make a determination in any election if a recount is pending before any county board of canvassers in that election. The chairperson of the board or the chairperson's designee need not recount actual ballots, but shall verify the returns of the county boards of canvassers in making his or her determinations.".

SB55-ASA1-AA1,64,4 13. Page 3, line 3: after that line insert:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,64,5 " Section 93e. 8.05 (3) (d) and (e) of the statutes are amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,64,11 8.05 (3) (d) The question of adoption of the nonpartisan primary under this subsection may be submitted to the electors at any regular election authorized under s. 8.065 to be held in the town or at a special election called for the purpose. When a petition requesting adoption of the nonpartisan primary conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40 signed by at least 20 electors of the town is filed with the town clerk as provided in s. 8.37, the question shall be submitted to a vote.

SB55-ASA1-AA1,64,16 (e) Petitions requesting a vote on the question at a regular town election shall be filed in accordance with s. 8.37 no later than 5 p.m. the last Tuesday in February. When the petition is filed, the clerk shall check its sufficiency. Whether at a regular or special election, the The clerk shall give separate notice by one publication in a newspaper at least 5 days before the election.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 93m Section 93m. 8.06 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,64,21 8.06 Special elections may be called. Towns, cities, villages and school districts may call special elections for any purpose whenever such action is authorized or required by law. If an election is called for a special referendum, the election shall be called and noticed under as provided in s. 8.55.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 93s Section 93s. 8.065 of the statutes is created to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,64,24 8.065 Scheduling of referenda. (1) In this section, "local governmental unit" has the meaning given in s. 16.97 (7).

SB55-ASA1-AA1,65,8 (2) Unless otherwise required by law or unless authorized under sub. (3), a referendum held by any local governmental unit that is authorized or required by law to hold a referendum may only be held concurrently with the spring primary, spring election, or general election, or on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November of an odd-numbered year. Unless otherwise required by law or unless authorized under sub. (3), no referendum submitted by the same local governmental unit relating to substantially similar subject matter or relating to authorization for the borrowing of money may be held more than once in any 12-month period.

SB55-ASA1-AA1,65,21 (3) If a local governmental unit wishes to hold a special referendum on a date that is not concurrent with an election specified in s. 5.02 (5), (21), or (22) or on a date other than the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of an odd-numbered year, the local governmental unit may petition the referendum appeal board for a determination that an emergency exists with respect to a particular question. The referendum appeal board shall make a determination within 10 days after receipt of a petition under this subsection. If the referendum appeal board finds, with the concurrence of at least 4 members, that an emergency exists which requires a special referendum to be held by a local governmental unit on a date that is not concurrent with an election specified in s. 5.02 (5), (21), or (22) or on a date other than the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of an odd-numbered year, the board may permit a referendum relating to the question specified in the petition to be held on a date determined by the local governmental unit.".

SB55-ASA1-AA1,65,22 14. Page 3, line 3: after that line insert:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,65,23 " Section 87e. 7.37 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,66,10 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 or punching 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.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 87m Section 87m. 7.37 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,66,16 7.37 (8) Electronic voting systems. Prior to the opening of the polling place, wherever electronic voting systems employing voting devices are used, the inspectors shall place the voting devices in position for voting and examine them to see that they are in proper working order and that they have the correct ballot labels by comparing them with the sample ballots.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 87s Section 87s. 7.50 (1) (d) and (2) (a), (b) and (d) of the statutes are amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,67,4 7.50 (1) (d) Whenever an electronic voting system is used at a polling place in a partisan primary, and the same ballot is utilized to cast votes for candidates of more than one recognized political party or candidates of a party and independent candidates, if an elector designates a preference for a party or for independent candidates, only votes cast within that preference category may be counted. If an elector does not designate a preference and makes a mark or punch or affixes a sticker opposite candidates of more than one recognized political party or opposite a candidate in the independent candidates' column and a candidate of a recognized political party, no votes cast by the elector for any candidate for partisan office are valid. Votes for other candidates and votes on ballot questions, if any, shall be counted if otherwise valid.

SB55-ASA1-AA1,67,15 (2) (a) At a general election, if the elector places a mark, symbol or sticker or punches a hole under a party designation at the head of a column in or near the space indicated for that purpose, it is a vote for all the candidates whose names appear in the marked or punched column except as otherwise provided in this paragraph. If a name is stricken, it is not a vote for that candidate. If a name is written in, it is a vote for the write-in candidate. If a sticker is attached it is a vote for the candidate whose name appears on the sticker. If in some other column there is a mark or punch in the square to the right of a specific candidate's name or at the place designated on the ballot for marking or punching a vote for a specific candidate for the same office, it is a vote for that specific candidate and no vote may be counted for the candidate for the same office in the column marked or punched for a straight party vote.

SB55-ASA1-AA1,67,18 (b) A ballot cast without any marks, or stickers or punches may not be counted. A ballot without a mark or punch at the top of a party column may be counted only for persons for whom marks or punches are applicable.

SB55-ASA1-AA1,68,5 (d) If an elector writes a person's name in the proper space for write-in candidates for an office, it is a vote for the person written in for the office indicated, regardless of whether the elector strikes the names appearing in the same column for the same office, or places a mark or punch by the same or any other name for the same office, or omits placing a mark or punch to the right of the name written in. If an elector is permitted to vote for more than one candidate for the same office in an election and casts one or more write-in votes which, when added to the votes cast for candidates whose names appear on the ballot, exceed the number of votes authorized to be cast for the office, the write-in votes shall be counted and the votes for candidates whose names appear on the ballot may not be counted, unless there are more write-in votes than votes authorized to be cast, in which case no votes may be counted for the office.".

SB55-ASA1-AA1,68,6 15. Page 7, line 4: after that line insert:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,68,7 " Section 97n. 13.097 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,68,9 13.097 (1) (a) "Department" means the department of natural resources environmental management.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 97p Section 97p. 13.097 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,68,16 13.097 (2) (b) If the legislation conveys a lake bed area, the department shall describe the conveyance contained in the legislation. If the legislation amends a prior conveyance of a lake bed area, the department's report shall describe the prior conveyance and how it is amended by this legislation. The report shall include any written comments under sub. (3) and the department's findings under sub. (4) and its conclusions under sub. (6).

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 97q Section 97q. 13.097 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,68,23 13.097 (2) (c) Legislation that requires a report by the department under this section shall have that requirement noted on its jacket when the jacket is prepared. When legislation that requires a report under this section receives a jacket to be introduced or offered, the legislative reference bureau shall submit a copy of the legislation to the department and to the department of fish, wildlife, parks, and forestry.

SB55-ASA1-AA1, s. 97r Section 97r. 13.097 (3) of the statutes is created to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,69,4 13.097 (3) Comments of the department of fish, wildlife, parks, and forestry. The department of fish, wildlife, parks, and forestry may submit to the department of environmental management written comments on legislation specified under sub. (2) within 10 days after the legislation is introduced or offered.".

SB55-ASA1-AA1,69,5 16. Page 7, line 4: after that line insert:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,69,6 " Section 95f. 11.385 of the statutes is created to read:

SB55-ASA1-AA1,69,9 11.385 Use of moneys derived from employment for political purposes. (1) In this section, "employer" includes the state and every local governmental unit, as defined in s. 16.97 (7).

SB55-ASA1-AA1,69,13 (2) No employer or labor organization may increase the salary of an officer or employee, or give an emolument to an officer, employee, or other person, with the intention that the increase in salary, or the emolument, or a part of it, be used to make a contribution or disbursement.

SB55-ASA1-AA1,69,18 (3) No employer or labor organization may discriminate against an officer or employee with respect to any term or condition of employment for failing to make a contribution; failing to support or oppose a candidate, proposition, political party, or committee; or supporting or opposing a candidate, proposition, political party, or committee.