This substitute amendment 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 substitute amendment include:
1. Currently, an elector who requests an absentee ballot in person or by mail
must make written application and must sign the application. However, if an elector
requests an absentee ballot by electronic mail or facsimile transmission, the elector
need not file a written application but must enclose with his or her returned ballot
a copy of a request for an absentee ballot together with his or her original signature.
This substitute amendment deletes the requirement for electors who apply for an
absentee ballot by electronic mail or facsimile transmission to provide a request and
original signature.
2. 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 substitute amendment
provides that the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners must transmit
the ballot if the clerk or board receives a valid request.
3. 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 substitute amendment permits such a ballot to be cast
at any election, including any primary election, at which a federal office is to be filled.
4. This substitute amendment 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 substitute amendment 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 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.
5. Under current federal law, states are required to transmit absentee ballots
to military and overseas electors no later than 45 days before each federal election
at which the electors are entitled to vote, if the electors have requested their ballots
by that time. However, a state may request a hardship waiver from the federal
government, for a single election only, if the state's primary election date does not
permit compliance with this requirement and the state takes other actions to ensure
expeditious delivery of absentee ballots to military and overseas electors. This
substitute amendment directs the legal counsel to GAB to request a hardship waiver
on behalf of this state for the 2010 September primary and general election and, if
the waiver is not granted, report that fact to the appropriate standing committees
of the legislature. In addition, the substitute amendment directs GAB to report to
the same committees no later than January 1, 2011, concerning the timeline used by
this state for the absentee voting process and the feasibility of making adjustments
to enable compliance with the timeline prescribed by federal law.
6. 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 7 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 substitute amendment extends a
similar ten-day dispensation to military electors voting in the presidential
preference primary or a special federal election.
7. 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 substitute amendment 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 substitute amendment 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.

8. Currently, GAB must prescribe uniform instructions for absentee voters.
This substitute amendment 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 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:
AB895-ASA2, s. 1 1Section 1. 5.05 (13) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,4,22 5.05 (13) (title) Toll-free election information exchange and requests.
AB895-ASA2, s. 2 3Section 2. 5.05 (13) (c) and (d) of the statutes are created to read:
AB895-ASA2,4,64 5.05 (13) (c) Maintain a freely accessible system under which a military elector
5or an overseas elector, as defined in s. 6.34 (1), who casts an absentee ballot may
6ascertain whether the ballot has been received by the appropriate municipal clerk.
AB895-ASA2,4,87 (d) Designate and maintain at least one freely accessible means of electronic
8communication which shall be used for the following purposes:
AB895-ASA2,4,119 1. To permit a military elector or an overseas elector, as defined in s. 6.34 (1),
10to request a voter registration application or an application for an absentee ballot at
11any election at which the elector is qualified to vote in this state.
AB895-ASA2,4,1412 2. To permit a military elector or an overseas elector under subd. 1. to designate
13whether the elector wishes to receive the applications under subd. 1. electronically
14or by mail.
AB895-ASA2,4,1815 3. To permit a municipal clerk to transmit to a military elector or an overseas
16elector under subd. 1. a registration application or absentee ballot application
17electronically or by mail, as directed by the elector under subd. 2., together with
18related voting, balloting, and election information.
AB895-ASA2, s. 3
1Section 3. 6.22 (2) (e) of the statutes is created to read:
AB895-ASA2,5,72 6.22 (2) (e) A military elector may file an application for an absentee ballot by
3means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission in the manner prescribed in s. 6.86
4(1) (ac). Upon receipt of a valid application, the municipal clerk shall send the elector
5an absentee ballot or, if the elector so requests, shall transmit an absentee ballot to
6the elector by means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission in the manner
7prescribed in s. 6.87 (3) (d).
AB895-ASA2, s. 4 8Section 4. 6.22 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,5,159 6.22 (4) (a) A request for an absentee ballot by an individual who qualifies as
10a military elector shall be treated as a request for an absentee ballot for all elections
11unless the individual otherwise requests
. Upon receiving a timely request for an
12absentee ballot under par. (b) by an individual who qualifies as a military elector, the
13municipal clerk shall send or transmit to the elector an absentee ballot for all
14elections that occur in the municipality or portion thereof where the elector resides
15beginning on the date that the clerk receives the request.
AB895-ASA2, s. 5 16Section 5. 6.22 (4) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,6,217 6.22 (4) (e) Whenever the material is mailed, the material shall be prepared
18and mailed to make use of the federal free postage laws. If the material does not
19qualify for mailing without postage under federal free postage laws, the municipal
20clerk shall pay the postage required for mailing to the military elector. If the return
21envelope qualifies for mailing free of postage under federal free postage laws, the
22clerk shall affix the appropriate legend required by U.S. postal regulations.
23Otherwise the municipal clerk shall pay the postage required for return when the
24ballot is mailed from within the United States. If the ballot is not mailed by the
25military elector from within the United States the military elector shall provide

1return postage. The mailing list established under this subsection shall be kept
2current in the same manner as provided in s. 6.86 (2) (b).
AB895-ASA2, s. 6 3Section 6. 6.22 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,6,154 6.22 (6) Military elector list. Each municipal clerk shall keep an up-to-date
5list of all eligible military electors who reside in the municipality ; city clerks shall
6keep the lists by wards
in the format prescribed by the board. The list shall contain
7the name, latest-known military residence and military mailing address of each
8military elector. The list shall indicate whether each elector whose name appears on
9the list is a military elector, as defined in s. 6.36 (2) (c) 6.34 (1), and has so certified
10under s. 6.865 (3m). All persons over 18 years of age or who will be 18 years old prior
11to an election shall be listed and remain on the list for the duration of their tour of
12duty. The list shall be kept current through all possible means. Each clerk shall
13exercise reasonable care to avoid duplication of names or listing anyone who is not
14eligible to vote. Each clerk shall distribute 2 copies of one copy of the list to the
15appropriate ward each polling place in the municipality for use on election day.
AB895-ASA2, s. 7 16Section 7. 6.221 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,6,1817 6.221 (1) In this section, "military elector" has the meaning given in s. 6.36 (2)
18(c)
6.34 (1) and active duty status for any election is determined as of election day.
AB895-ASA2, s. 8 19Section 8. 6.221 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,6,2520 6.221 (3) (b) At the general election, the presidential preference primary, or a
21special election for national office,
a ballot that is cast under s. 6.22 by an elector who
22is a military elector, that is received by mail from the U.S. postal service, and that
23is postmarked no later than election day shall be counted as provided in this section
24if it is received by a municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on the 10th day after the
25election.
AB895-ASA2, s. 9
1Section 9. 6.24 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,7,222 6.24 (4) (c) Upon receipt of a timely application from an individual who
3qualifies as an overseas elector and who has registered to vote in a municipality
4under sub. (3), the municipal clerk of the municipality shall send an absentee ballot
5to the individual for all subsequent elections for national office to be held during the
6year in which the ballot is requested, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph,
7unless the individual otherwise requests or until the individual no longer qualifies
8as an overseas elector. of the municipality. The clerk shall not send an absentee ballot
9for an election if the overseas elector's name appeared on the registration list in
10eligible status for a previous election following the date of the application but no
11longer appears on the list in eligible status. The municipal clerk shall ensure that
12the envelope containing the absentee ballot is clearly marked as not forwardable.
13If an overseas elector who files an application under this subsection no longer resides
14at the same address that is indicated on the application form, the elector shall so
15notify the municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall discontinue mailing absentee
16ballots to an overseas elector under this subsection if the elector fails to return any
17absentee ballot mailed to the elector. The municipal clerk shall notify the elector of
18any such action not taken at the elector's request within 5 days, if possible. An
19overseas elector who fails to cast an absentee ballot but who remains qualified to
20receive absentee ballots under this subsection may then receive absentee ballots for
21subsequent elections by notifying the municipal clerk that the elector wishes to
22continue receiving absentee ballots for subsequent elections.
AB895-ASA2, s. 10 23Section 10. 6.24 (4) (e) of the statutes is created to read:
AB895-ASA2,8,424 6.24 (4) (e) An overseas elector may file an application for an absentee ballot
25by means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission in the manner prescribed in s.

16.86 (1) (ac). Upon receipt of a valid application, the municipal clerk shall send the
2elector an absentee ballot or, if the elector so requests, shall transmit an absentee
3ballot to the elector by means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission in the
4manner prescribed in s. 6.87 (3) (d).
AB895-ASA2, s. 11 5Section 11. 6.25 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,8,156 6.25 (1) Any individual who qualifies as a military elector under s. 6.22 (1) (b)
7or an overseas elector under s. 6.24 (1) and who transmits an application for an
8official absentee ballot for a general election an election for national office, including
9a primary election,
no later than 30 days before election day the latest time specified
10for the elector in s. 6.86 (1) (b)
may, in lieu of the official ballot, cast a federal write-in
11absentee ballot prescribed under 42 USC 1973ff-2 for any candidate or for all of the
12candidates of any recognized political party for national office listed on the official
13ballot at the general that election if the federal write-in absentee ballot is received
14by the appropriate municipal clerk no later than the applicable time prescribed in
15s. 6.221 (3) or 6.87 (6).
AB895-ASA2, s. 12 16Section 12. 6.25 (4) (intro.), (a) and (b) of the statutes are consolidated,
17renumbered 6.25 (4) and amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,8,2218 6.25 (4) A write-in absentee ballot issued under sub. (1), (2) or (3) is valid only
19if all of the following apply: (a) The ballot is submitted from a location outside the
20United States. (b) The
the elector submitting the ballot does not submit an official
21ballot within the time prescribed in s. 6.87 (6) and, if the elector is an overseas elector,
22the ballot is submitted from a location outside the United States
.
AB895-ASA2, s. 13 23Section 13. 6.36 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,9,1424 6.36 (1) (a) The board shall compile and maintain electronically an official
25registration list. The list shall contain the name and address of each registered

1elector in the state, the date of birth of the elector, the ward and aldermanic district
2of the elector, if any, and, for each elector, a unique registration identification number
3assigned by the board, the number of a valid operator's license issued to the elector
4under ch. 343, if any, or the last 4 digits of the elector's social security account
5number, if any, any identification serial number issued to the elector under s. 6.47
6(3), the date of any election in which the elector votes, an indication of whether the
7elector is a military elector, as defined in sub. (2) (c) s. 6.34 (1), who has so certified
8under s. 6.865 (3m), an indication of whether the elector is an overseas elector, as
9defined in s. 6.24 (1), any information relating to the elector that appears on the
10current list transmitted to the board by the department of corrections under s. 301.03
11(20m), an indication of any accommodation required under s. 5.25 (4) (a) to permit
12voting by the elector, an indication of the method by which the elector's registration
13form was received, and such other information as may be determined by the board
14to facilitate administration of elector registration requirements.
AB895-ASA2, s. 14 15Section 14. 6.86 (1) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,9,1916 6.86 (1) (a) (intro.) Any elector of a municipality who is registered to vote
17whenever required and who qualifies under ss. 6.20 and 6.85 as an absent elector
18may make written application to the municipal clerk of that municipality for an
19official ballot by one of the following methods:
AB895-ASA2, s. 15 20Section 15. 6.86 (1) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,9,2221 6.86 (1) (a) 3. By signing a statement filing a request to receive absentee ballots
22under sub. (2) or (2m) (a) or s. 6.22 (4) or 6.24 (4).
AB895-ASA2, s. 16 23Section 16. 6.86 (1) (ac) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,9,2624 6.86 (1) (ac) Any elector qualifying under par. (a) may make written application
25to the municipal clerk for an official ballot by means of facsimile transmission or

1electronic mail. Any application under this paragraph shall need not contain a copy
2of the applicant's original signature. An elector requesting a ballot under this
3paragraph shall return with the voted ballot a copy of the request bearing an original
4signature of the elector as provided in s. 6.87 (4).
AB895-ASA2, s. 17 5Section 17. 6.86 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,11,26 6.86 (1) (b) Except as provided in this section, if application is made by mail,
7the application, signed by the elector, shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on the
85th day immediately preceding the election. If application is made in person, the
9application shall be made no later than 5 p.m. on the day preceding the election. If
10Except as provided in par. (c), if the elector is making written application for an
11absentee ballot at the September primary or, the general election, the presidential
12preference primary, or a special election for national office,
and the application
13indicates that the elector is a military elector, as defined in s. 6.36 (2) (c), the
14application shall be received by the municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on election
15day. If the application indicates that the reason for requesting an absentee ballot is
16that the elector is a sequestered juror, the application shall be received no later than
175 p.m. on election day. If the application is received after 5 p.m. on the Friday
18immediately preceding the election, the municipal clerk or the clerk's agent shall
19immediately take the ballot to the court in which the elector is serving as a juror and
20deposit it with the judge. The judge shall recess court, as soon as convenient, and
21give the elector the ballot. The judge shall then witness the voting procedure as
22provided in s. 6.87 and shall deliver the ballot to the clerk or agent of the clerk who
23shall deliver it to the polling place or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are
24canvassed under s. 7.52, to the municipal clerk as required in s. 6.88. If application

1is made under sub. (2) or (2m), the application may be received no later than 5 p.m.
2on the Friday immediately preceding the election.
AB895-ASA2, s. 18 3Section 18 . 6.86 (1) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 2009 Wisconsin Act
4....(this act), is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,11,255 6.86 (1) (b) Except as provided in this section, if application is made by mail,
6the application, signed by the elector, shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on the
75th day immediately preceding the election. If application is made in person, the
8application shall be made no later than 5 p.m. on the day preceding the election.
9Except as provided in par. (c), if the elector is making written application for an
10absentee ballot at the September primary, the general election, the presidential
11preference primary, or a special election for national office, and the application
12indicates that the elector is a military elector, as defined in s. 6.36 (2) (c) 6.34 (1), the
13application shall be received by the municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on election
14day. If the application indicates that the reason for requesting an absentee ballot is
15that the elector is a sequestered juror, the application shall be received no later than
165 p.m. on election day. If the application is received after 5 p.m. on the Friday
17immediately preceding the election, the municipal clerk or the clerk's agent shall
18immediately take the ballot to the court in which the elector is serving as a juror and
19deposit it with the judge. The judge shall recess court, as soon as convenient, and
20give the elector the ballot. The judge shall then witness the voting procedure as
21provided in s. 6.87 and shall deliver the ballot to the clerk or agent of the clerk who
22shall deliver it to the polling place or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are
23canvassed under s. 7.52, to the municipal clerk as required in s. 6.88. If application
24is made under sub. (2) or (2m), the application may be received no later than 5 p.m.
25on the Friday immediately preceding the election.
AB895-ASA2, s. 19
1Section 19. 6.86 (2m) of the statutes is renumbered 6.86 (2m) (a) and amended
2to read:
AB895-ASA2,13,43 6.86 (2m) (a) An Except as provided in this subsection, any elector other than
4an elector who is eligible to receive absentee ballots under sub. (2) receives an
5absentee ballot under s. 6.22 (4) or 6.24 (4) (c)
may by written application filed with
6the municipal clerk of the municipality where the elector resides require that an
7absentee ballot be sent to the elector automatically for every election that is held
8within the same calendar year in which the application is filed. The application form
9and instructions shall be prescribed by the board, and furnished upon request to any
10elector by each municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall thereupon mail an
11absentee ballot to the elector for all elections that are held in the municipality during
12the same calendar year that the application is filed, except that the clerk shall not
13send an absentee ballot for an election if the elector's name appeared on the
14registration list in eligible status for a previous election following the date of the
15application but no longer appears on the list in eligible status. The municipal clerk
16shall ensure that the envelope containing the absentee ballot is clearly marked as
17not forwardable. If an elector who files an application under this subsection no
18longer resides at the same address that is indicated on the application form, the
19elector shall so notify the municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall discontinue
20mailing absentee ballots to an elector under this subsection upon receipt of reliable
21information that the elector no longer qualifies for the service as an elector of the
22municipality. In addition, the municipal clerk shall discontinue mailing absentee
23ballots to an elector under this subsection if the elector fails to return any absentee
24ballot mailed to the elector
. The municipal clerk shall notify the elector of any such
25action not taken at the elector's request within 5 days, if possible. An elector who

1fails to cast an absentee ballot but who remains qualified to receive absentee ballots
2under this subsection may then receive absentee ballots for subsequent elections by
3notifying the municipal clerk that the elector wishes to continue receiving absentee
4ballots for subsequent elections.
AB895-ASA2,13,8 5(b) If a municipal clerk is notified by an elector that the elector's residence is
6changed to another municipality within this state, the municipal clerk shall forward
7the request to the municipal clerk of that municipality and that municipal clerk shall
8honor the request, except as provided in this subsection.
AB895-ASA2, s. 20 9Section 20. 6.865 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,13,10 106.865 (title) Federal absentee ballot requests ballots.
AB895-ASA2, s. 21 11Section 21. 6.865 (3) of the statutes is repealed.
AB895-ASA2, s. 22 12Section 22. 6.865 (3m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,13,2513 6.865 (3m) (a) Except as provided in par. (c), if any elector who certifies If an
14individual who will be a military elector on election day applies for an absentee
15ballot, the individual may certify
that he or she will be a military elector on election
16day requests an absentee ballot, the municipal clerk shall send or transmit to the
17elector an absentee ballot for all elections that occur in the municipality or portion
18thereof where the elector resides beginning on the date that the clerk receives the
19request and ending on the day after the 3rd successive general election that follows
20receipt of the request, unless the elector otherwise requests. In addition, the
21municipal clerk shall continue to send or transmit to the elector an absentee ballot
22for all elections ending on the day after the 3rd successive general election that
23follows any election at which the elector returns an absentee ballot under this section
24or renews his or her request under par. (c)
and the municipal clerk shall treat the
25ballot as provided under s. 6.221
.
AB895-ASA2, s. 23
1Section 23. 6.865 (3m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,14,72 6.865 (3m) (b) A military elector may indicate an alternate address on his or
3her absentee ballot application. If the elector's ballot is returned as undeliverable
4prior to the deadline for receipt and return of absentee ballots under sub. (3) s. 6.87
5(6)
and the elector remains eligible to receive absentee ballots under this subsection,
6the municipal clerk shall immediately send or transmit an absentee ballot to the
7elector at the alternate address.
AB895-ASA2, s. 24 8Section 24. 6.865 (3m) (c) of the statutes is repealed.
AB895-ASA2, s. 25 9Section 25. 6.869 of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,14,18 106.869 Uniform instructions. The board shall prescribe uniform instructions
11for municipalities to provide to absentee voters. The instructions shall include the
12specific means of electronic communication that an absentee elector may use to file
13an application for an absentee ballot and, if the absentee elector is required to
14register, to request a registration form or change his or her registration.
The
15instructions also shall include information concerning the procedure for correcting
16errors in marking a ballot and obtaining a replacement for a spoiled ballot. The
17procedure shall, to the extent possible, respect the privacy of each elector and
18preserve the confidentiality of each elector's vote.
AB895-ASA2, s. 26 19Section 26. 6.87 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,15,1520 6.87 (3) (d) A municipal clerk may shall, if the clerk is reliably informed by an
21absent elector of a facsimile transmission number or electronic mail address where
22the elector can receive an absentee ballot, transmit a facsimile or electronic copy of
23the absent elector's ballot to that elector in lieu of mailing under this subsection if,
24in the judgment of the clerk, the time required to send the ballot through the mail
25may not be sufficient to enable return of the ballot by the time provided under sub.

1(6)
. An elector may receive an absentee ballot under this subsection only if the elector
2has filed a valid application for the ballot under s. 6.86 (1). If the clerk transmits an
3absentee ballot under this paragraph to an absent elector electronically, the clerk
4shall also transmit a facsimile or electronic copy of the text of the material that
5appears on the certificate envelope prescribed in sub. (2), together with instructions
6prescribed by the board. The instructions shall require the absent elector to make
7and subscribe to the certification as required under sub. (4) and to enclose the
8absentee ballot in a separate envelope contained within a larger envelope, that shall
9include the completed certificate. The elector shall then affix sufficient postage
10unless the absentee ballot qualifies for mailing free of postage under federal free
11postage laws and shall mail the absentee ballot to the municipal clerk. Except as
12authorized in s. 6.97 (2), an absentee ballot received under this paragraph from an
13elector who receives the ballot electronically
shall not be counted unless it is cast in
14the manner prescribed in this paragraph and sub. (4) and in accordance with the
15instructions provided by the board.
AB895-ASA2, s. 27 16Section 27. 6.87 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,16,1617 6.87 (4) Except as otherwise provided in s. 6.875, the elector voting absentee
18shall make and subscribe to the certification before one witness who is an adult U.S.
19citizen. The absent elector, in the presence of the witness, shall mark the ballot in
20a manner that will not disclose how the elector's vote is cast. The elector shall then,
21still in the presence of the witness, fold the ballots so each is separate and so that the
22elector conceals the markings thereon and deposit them in the proper envelope. If
23a consolidated ballot under s. 5.655 is used, the elector shall fold the ballot so that
24the elector conceals the markings thereon and deposit the ballot in the proper
25envelope. If proof of residence is required, the elector shall enclose proof of residence

1under s. 6.34 in the envelope. Proof of residence is required if the elector is not a
2military elector or an overseas elector, as defined in s. 6.34 (1), and the elector
3registered by mail and has not voted in an election in this state. If the elector
4requested a ballot by means of facsimile transmission or electronic mail under s. 6.86
5(1) (ac), the elector shall enclose in the envelope a copy of the request which bears an
6original signature of the elector.
The elector may receive assistance under sub. (5).
7The return envelope shall then be sealed. The witness may not be a candidate. The
8envelope shall be mailed by the elector, or delivered in person, to the municipal clerk
9issuing the ballot or ballots. If the envelope is mailed from a location outside the
10United States, the elector shall affix sufficient postage unless the ballot qualifies for
11delivery free of postage under federal law. Failure to return an unused ballot in a
12primary does not invalidate the ballot on which the elector's votes are cast. Return
13of more than one marked ballot in a primary or return of a ballot prepared under s.
145.655 or a ballot used with an electronic voting system in a primary which is marked
15for candidates of more than one party invalidates all votes cast by the elector for
16candidates in the primary.
AB895-ASA2, s. 28 17Section 28. 7.15 (1) (j) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB895-ASA2,16,2018 7.15 (1) (j) Send an absentee ballot automatically to each person making an
19authorized request therefor in accordance with s. 6.22 (4), 6.24 (4) (c), or 6.86 (2) or
20(2m).
AB895-ASA2, s. 29 21Section 29. Nonstatutory provisions.
AB895-ASA2,16,2222 (1) Hardship waiver request; study of absentee voting timeline.
AB895-ASA2,17,723 (a) Prior to the 2010 September primary, the legal counsel to the Government
24Accountability Board shall apply on behalf of this state to the presidential designee
25under 42 USC 1973ff-1 (g) for a determination that this state is unable to meet the

1requirement under 42 USC 1973ff-1 (a) (8) with respect to transmittal of absentee
2ballots to military and overseas electors at the 2010 September primary and general
3election. The application shall include a description of this state's efforts to enable
4delivery of absentee ballots to military and overseas electors as expeditiously as
5possible. If the waiver is not granted, the legal counsel shall promptly report the
6response of the designee to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature
7in the manner prescribed in section 13.172 (3) of the statutes.
AB895-ASA2,17,128 (b) No later than January 1, 2011, the Government Accountability Board shall
9report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature, in the manner
10prescribed in section 13.172 (3) of the statutes, concerning the timeline used by this
11state for the absentee voting process and the feasibility of making adjustments to
12enable compliance with the timeline prescribed in 42 USC 1973ff-1 (a) (8) (A).
AB895-ASA2, s. 30 13Section 30 . Initial applicability.
AB895-ASA2,17,1714 (1) The treatment of sections 6.24 (4) (c), 6.86 (1) (a) 3. and (b) (by Section 18)
15and (2m), 6.865 (title), (3), and (3m) (a), (b), and (c), and 7.15 (1) (j) of the statutes first
16applies with respect to requests for absentee ballots made for voting at elections held
17on or after the effective date of this subsection.
AB895-ASA2, s. 31 18Section 31. Effective dates. This act takes effect on the day after publication,
19except as follows:
AB895-ASA2,17,2220 (1) The treatment of sections 6.24 (4) (c), 6.86 (1) (a) 3. and (b) (by Section 18)
21and (2m), 6.865 (title), (3), and (3m) (a), (b), and (c), and 7.15 (1) (j) of the statutes and
22Section 30 (1) of this act take effect on the 90th day beginning after publication.
Loading...
Loading...