LRBs0093/2
JTK&ARG:cjs/nwn/jld/kjf:rs
2011 - 2012 LEGISLATURE
ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1,
TO 2011 ASSEMBLY BILL 7
May 3, 2011 - Offered by Committee on Election and Campaign Reform.
AB7-ASA1,3,11
1An Act to repeal 5.64 (1) (ar) 1. a., 5.91 (2), 6.26 (2) (am), 6.36 (5), 6.56 (5), 6.865
2(3), 6.865 (3m) (c), 7.08 (9), 7.15 (1) (L), 7.50 (2) (a) and 12.13 (3) (v);
to
3renumber 6.79 (3) and 343.50 (1);
to renumber and amend 5.02 (18), 6.25 (1),
46.85, 6.86 (2m), 6.87 (4) and 6.97 (3);
to consolidate, renumber and amend
56.25 (4) (intro.), (a) and (b);
to amend 5.05 (13) (title), 5.15 (6) (b), 5.25 (3), 5.35
6(6) (a) 2., 5.35 (6) (a) 4a., 5.37 (1), 5.37 (4), 5.62 (title), 5.62 (1), 5.62 (2), 5.62 (3),
75.62 (5), 5.64 (1) (b), 6.02 (1), 6.02 (2), 6.10 (1), 6.10 (3), 6.10 (4), 6.10 (8), 6.10
8(10), 6.15 (1), 6.15 (2) (a), 6.15 (2) (d) 1r., 6.15 (3), 6.18, 6.22 (4) (a), 6.22 (4) (b),
96.22 (4) (e), 6.22 (6), 6.22 (7), 6.221 (title), 6.221 (1), 6.221 (3), 6.221 (5), 6.24 (2),
106.24 (4) (c), 6.24 (4) (d), 6.26 (2) (b), 6.26 (2) (c), 6.26 (2) (cm), 6.29 (1), 6.29 (2)
11(a), 6.33 (1), 6.33 (2) (b), 6.33 (5) (a), 6.34 (2), 6.34 (3) (a) 7., 6.36 (1) (a), 6.36 (1)
12(b) 1. a., 6.36 (2) (a), 6.40 (1) (a) 1., 6.50 (8), 6.55 (2) (a) 1., 6.55 (2) (b), 6.55 (2)
13(c) 1., 6.55 (2) (c) 2., 6.79 (1m), 6.79 (2) (a), 6.79 (2) (d), 6.79 (3) (title), 6.79 (4),
16.79 (6), 6.82 (1) (a), 6.82 (2) (a), 6.86 (1) (a) (intro.), 6.86 (1) (a) 3., 6.86 (1) (ac),
26.86 (1) (ar), 6.86 (1) (b), 6.86 (3) (a) 1., 6.86 (3) (a) 2., 6.86 (3) (c), 6.865 (title),
36.865 (3m) (a), 6.865 (3m) (b), 6.869, 6.87 (1), 6.87 (2), 6.87 (3) (d), 6.87 (6), 6.875
4(title), 6.875 (2) (a), 6.875 (3) and (4), 6.875 (6) (a) and (b), 6.875 (6) (c) 1., 6.875
5(6) (c) 2., 6.875 (6) (e), 6.875 (7), 6.88 (3) (a), 6.92 (1), 6.94, 6.97 (title), 6.97 (1),
66.97 (2), 7.08 (2) (b), 7.08 (2) (c), 7.08 (8) (title), 7.10 (3) (a), 7.15 (1) (cm), 7.15
7(1) (j), 7.23 (1) (e), 7.52 (3) (a), 7.52 (6) (b), 7.60 (5) (a), 7.70 (3) (a), 7.70 (3) (e)
81., 8.10 (1), 8.15 (title), 8.15 (1), 8.16 (1), 8.16 (7), 8.17 (1) (b), 8.17 (4), 8.17 (5)
9(b), 8.19 (3), 8.20 (8) (a), 8.20 (8) (am), 8.20 (9), 8.50 (intro.), 8.50 (2), 8.50 (3) (a),
108.50 (3) (b), 8.50 (3) (c), 8.50 (4) (b), 8.50 (4) (fm), 10.01 (2) (d), 10.01 (2) (e), 10.02
11(3) (form) (a), 10.02 (3) (b) 1., 10.02 (3) (b) 2m., 10.02 (3) (c), 10.06 (1) (f), 10.06
12(1) (h), 10.06 (1) (i), 10.06 (2) (gm), 10.06 (2) (h), 10.06 (2) (j), 10.06 (3) (cm), 11.06
13(12) (a) 1., 11.26 (17) (d), 11.31 (3m), 11.31 (7) (a), 11.50 (1) (a) 1., 11.50 (2) (b)
144., 11.50 (2) (b) 5., 11.50 (2) (c), 11.50 (2) (f), 11.50 (2) (i), 12.03 (2) (b) 3., 12.13
15(2) (b) 6m., 13.123 (3) (b) 1. a., 59.605 (3) (a) 1., 66.0602 (4) (a), 66.0619 (2m) (b),
1666.0921 (2), 66.1113 (2) (g), 66.1113 (2) (h), 67.05 (6m) (b), 67.12 (12) (e) 5.,
17117.22 (2) (e), 121.91 (3) (a), 229.824 (15), 343.06 (1) (L), 343.10 (7) (d), 343.11
18(1), 343.11 (3), 343.11 (3), 343.14 (3), 343.165 (1) (intro.), 343.165 (2), 343.165
19(3) (a), 343.165 (4) (a), 343.165 (4) (c), 343.165 (4) (d), 343.165 (5), 343.17 (3) (a)
202., 343.17 (5), 343.50 (3), 343.50 (4), 343.50 (5) (a) 1., 343.50 (5m), 343.50 (6) and
21995.20;
to repeal and recreate 343.17 (5), 343.50 (1), 343.50 (3), 343.50 (4),
22343.50 (4g), 343.50 (5) (a) and 343.50 (6); and
to create 5.02 (6m), 5.02 (16c),
235.05 (13) (c) and (d), 5.64 (1) (ar) 1m., 6.10 (1m), 6.15 (2) (bm), 6.22 (2) (e), 6.24
24(4) (e), 6.25 (1) (b), 6.36 (1) (bm) and (bn), 6.79 (2) (am), 6.79 (3) (b), 6.79 (7), 6.87
25(4) (a), 6.87 (4) (b) 2., 6.87 (4) (b) 3., 6.87 (4) (b) 4., 6.87 (4) (b) 5., 6.875 (1) (ap)
1and (asm), 6.875 (2) (d), 6.965, 6.97 (3) (a), 6.97 (3) (c), 7.08 (12), 343.03 (3r),
2343.14 (3m), 343.165 (7), 343.17 (3) (a) 14., 343.50 (1) (c), 343.50 (4g) and 343.50
3(5) (a) 3. of the statutes;
relating to: requiring certain identification in order
4to vote at a polling place or obtain an absentee ballot; absentee voting; late voter
5registration; a requirement for electors to provide a signature when voting in
6person at an election; the duration and location of residency for voting purposes;
7voting a straight party ticket; issuance of operator's licenses and identification
8cards by the Department of Transportation; the dates of the September primary
9and certain other election occurrences; voter registration information; the
10statewide voter registration list; voter registration activities; assisting electors
11in voting; granting rule-making authority; and providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Identification required for voting
Under current law, any person who is a U.S. citizen, who is at least 18 years of
age, and who has resided in a ward or election district in this state for at least ten
days before the election at which the person is voting may vote in that ward or
election district at that election unless the person is disqualified from voting, in
certain cases specified by law, as the result of a felony conviction or an adjudication
of incompetency. With limited exceptions, a person must register before voting and
in certain cases must provide proof of residence. With certain limited exceptions,
before being permitted to vote at any polling place, an eligible elector currently must
provide his or her name and address. If the elector is not registered, the elector must
provide a specified form of proof of residence in order to register. If an elector is not
able to present any required proof of residence, as an alternative, current law
permits an elector's registration information to be corroborated by another qualified
elector who resides in the same municipality. In addition, an elector other than a
military elector or an overseas elector, as defined by federal law, who registers by
mail and who has not voted in an election in this state must provide one of the forms
of identification specified by federal law, or a copy thereof if voting by absentee ballot,
in order to be permitted to vote. Corroboration may not be substituted for this
identification requirement, but an elector who cannot provide the required
identification may cast a provisional ballot. The municipal clerk or board of election
commissioners must determine whether electors casting provisional ballots are
qualified to vote by 4 p.m. on the day after an election.
With certain limited exceptions, this substitute amendment requires each
eligible elector who attempts to register or to vote at the polls on election day to
present "proof of identification." Under the substitute amendment, "proof of
identification" means an identification document that contains the name of the
individual to whom the document was issued, which name conforms to the
individual's voter registration, if the individual is required to register to vote, and
that contains a photograph of the individual, except as otherwise permitted by the
substitute amendment (see below). "Identification" means a) one of the following
documents issued to the individual that is unexpired or if expired has expired after
the date of the most recent general election: an operator's license issued by the
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT), an identification card issued by
DOT, an identification card issued by a U.S. uniformed service, or a U.S. passport;
b) a certificate of U.S. naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years
before the date of an election at which it is presented; c) an unexpired driving receipt
issued by DOT (see below); d) an unexpired identification card receipt issued by DOT;
e) an identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in this state or
f) an unexpired identification card issued by an accredited university or college in
this state that contains the date of birth, current address, and signature of the
individual to whom it was issued and that contains an expiration date indicating that
the card expires no later than four years after the date of the election at which it is
presented. A person whose address is confidential as a result of domestic abuse,
sexual assault, or stalking or in certain cases a person who has been required by a
law enforcement officer to surrender his or her license (see below) is exempted from
the requirement. If a person has applied to DOT for a driver's license or identification
card, the person may also present the unexpired driving receipt or identification card
receipt (DOT receipt) that DOT issues to the person while the application is
processed. Under the substitute amendment, any person who applies for an
absentee ballot, except a military or overseas elector, as defined by federal law, or a
person whose address is confidential as a result of domestic abuse, sexual assault,
or stalking, must also provide proof of identification or a copy thereof unless: 1) the
person has already provided a copy of his or her proof of identification in connection
with an absentee ballot cast at a previous election and has not changed his or her
name or address since that election; 2) the person has been required by a law
enforcement officer to surrender his or her license (see below); 3) the person is
indefinitely confined, in which case the person may submit a statement signed by the
person who witnesses his or her absentee ballot verifying his or her identity; or 4) the
person is an occupant of any nursing home, or is an occupant of a community-based
residential facility, retirement home, adult family home, or residential care
apartment complex where a municipality sends special voting deputies, in which
case the person may submit a statement signed by the deputies verifying his or her
identity. The substitute amendment continues current requirements for certain
electors to verify residence in order to register or to vote, but discontinues the use of
corroborating electors to verify residence. If a person receives a citation from a law
enforcement officer in any jurisdiction that is dated within 60 days of the date of an
election and is required to surrender his or her Wisconsin driver's license at the time
the citation is issued, the elector may present an original copy of the citation or notice
of intent to revoke or suspend the elector's driver's license in lieu of his or her driver's
license or, if the elector is voting an absentee ballot by mail, may enclose a copy of the
citation or notice in lieu of a copy of his or her driver's license. In this case, the
substitute amendment provides that the elector's ballot is received and counted if
otherwise valid, but the ballot is marked so it can be identified during the canvassing
and recount process if the validity of the ballot is questioned. Under the substitute
amendment, if a person who votes at a polling place fails to provide proof of
identification, the person may vote provisionally. If a person votes by absentee ballot
and fails to provide proof of identification or a copy thereof, unless exempted from the
requirement, the ballot is treated as a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot is
marked by the poll workers, who immediately contact the municipal clerk or board
of election commissioners. The person may then provide the required proof of
identification either at the polling place before the closing hour or at the office of the
clerk or board. If the person does not provide the required identification to the clerk
or board by 4 p.m. on the Friday following the election, the person's vote is not
counted.
The substitute amendment also directs GAB, in conjunction with the first
regularly scheduled primary and election at which the voter identification
requirements created by the substitute amendment initially apply, to conduct a
public informational campaign for the purpose of informing prospective voters of the
voter identification requirements created by the substitute amendment. In addition,
the substitute amendment directs the board to conduct an ongoing outreach effort
to identify and contact groups of electors who may need assistance in obtaining or
renewing documents that constitute proof of identification for voting purposes and
to provide assistance in obtaining or renewing those documents.
The voting identification requirement under the substitute amendment
initially applies to voting at the 2012 spring primary. The substitute amendment
also provides that an elector who votes at a polling place at an election held after the
substitute amendment becomes law but before the date of the 2012 spring primary
shall be requested to present proof of identification but if the elector fails to do so, his
or her ballot will still be counted if the elector is otherwise qualified. The substitute
amendment directs election officials to provide information to electors who do not
present proof of identification at elections held prior to the date of the 2012 spring
primary so that the electors will be prepared to provide proof of identification at
future elections.
Issuance of operator's licenses and identification cards
This substitute amendment also permits an elector who is eligible to obtain a
Wisconsin identification card to obtain the card from DOT free of charge if the elector
is a U.S. citizen who will be at least 18 years of age on the date of the next election
and the elector requests that the card be provided without charge for purposes of
voting.
Under
2007 Wisconsin Act 20 (the biennial budget act), certain provisions
specified in the federal REAL ID Act are incorporated into state law when DOT
provides notice that it is ready to implement the federal REAL ID Act. Among these
provisions is the requirement that DOT follow certain procedures in processing
applications for driver's licenses and identification cards and that each driver's
license and identification card include a photograph.
This substitute amendment allows DOT, upon the implementation of the
federal REAL ID Act in Wisconsin, to process applications for driver's licenses and
identification cards in a manner other than that required by REAL ID if the driver's
licenses and identification cards are marked to indicate that they are not REAL ID
compliant and DOT processes the applications in compliance with DOT practices and
procedures applicable immediately prior to implementation of REAL ID. An
applicant for a REAL ID noncompliant driver's license or identification card will still
be required to provide to DOT: 1) an identification document that includes either the
applicant's photograph or both the applicant's full legal name and date of birth; 2)
documentation showing the applicant's date of birth, which may be the same as item
1); 3) proof of the applicant's social security number or verification that the applicant
is not eligible for a social security number; 4) documentation showing the applicant's
name and address of principal residence; and 5) documentary proof that the
applicant is a U.S. citizen or is otherwise lawfully present in the United States.
However, in processing an application for a REAL ID noncompliant driver's license
or identification card, DOT is not required to meet the standards for document
retention and verification that are imposed for REAL ID compliant products.
Current law provides for limited exceptions allowing DOT to issue a driver's
license that does not contain a photograph of the license holder, including, by DOT
rule, a religious belief exception. There are no similar photograph exceptions under
current law for identification cards. Under current law, after the implementation of
REAL ID, all REAL ID compliant driver's licenses and identification cards must
contain a photograph.
Under this substitute amendment, until the implementation of the federal
REAL ID Act, the photograph exception for driver's licenses continues and a new
religious belief photograph exception is created for identification cards. After the
implementation of REAL ID, this substitute amendment creates a religious belief
photograph exception for REAL ID noncompliant driver's licenses and identification
cards.
Date of September primary
This substitute amendment changes the date of the September primary from
the 2nd Tuesday in September to the 2nd Tuesday in August and renames it to be the
"Partisan Primary". The substitute amendment also changes the dates of related
election events to accommodate the change in the date of the primary.
Signature requirement for electors voting in person
This substitute amendment provides, with limited exceptions, that an elector
must also enter his or her signature on the poll list or other separate list when voting
in person at a polling place at an election. Under the substitute amendment, the
election officials must require each elector to enter his or her signature on the poll
list or other separate list before being permitted to vote. If an elector registers at a
polling place on election day, the officials must require the elector to enter the
elector's signature on a separate list. The substitute amendment also provides that
if an elector, due to physical disability, authorized another elector to sign his or her
registration form on his or her behalf, the elector is exempt from the signature
requirement. In addition, if an elector signed his or her registration form but claims
to be unable, due to physical disability, to enter his or her signature on the poll list
or other separate list when voting at a particular election, the substitute amendment
permits the election officials to waive the signature requirement if they find that, due
to physical disability, the elector is unable to enter his or her signature. Under the
substitute amendment, the signature requirement initially applies beginning with
the 2012 spring primary.
Durational residency requirement for voting
Under current law, with certain limited exceptions, an individual must be a
resident of this state and of the municipality and ward, if any, where the elector is
voting for ten days before an election to be eligible to vote in the election. This
substitute amendment increases this durational residency requirement to 28
consecutive days. Under the substitute amendment, if an elector who does not meet
this residency requirement formerly resided at another location in this state within
the 27-day period preceding an election, the elector may vote at that location if the
elector is otherwise qualified to vote at that location. Under the substitute
amendment, the residency requirement initially applies beginning with the 2012
spring primary.
Voting a straight party ticket
Under current law, at the general election, an elector may vote a straight party
ticket for the candidates of any political party that has a separate ballot or column
on the ballot.
This substitute amendment eliminates the authority for any elector, other than
an overseas or military elector, to vote a straight party ticket. Under federal law, an
overseas or military elector may vote a straight party ticket on a write-in absentee
ballot for national offices. The substitute amendment first applies with respect to
the 2012 general election.
Late registration and absentee voting in person
Currently, the deadline for late registration for an election in person at the
office of a municipal clerk or board of election commissioners is 5 p.m. or the close of
business, whichever is later, on the day before the election. The deadline for absentee
voting in person at the office of a municipal clerk or board of election commissioners
is 5 p.m. on the day before the election. This substitute amendment changes the
deadline for late registration in person to 5 p.m. or the close of business, whichever
is later, on the Friday before the election. The substitute amendment also provides
that an elector may vote an absentee ballot in person only during the period
beginning with opening of business on the 2nd Monday preceding an election and
ending at 5 p.m. or the close of business, whichever is later, on the Friday preceding
an election. The changes are effective for elections held on or after the first day of
the 2nd month beginning after publication.
Absentee voting in residential care apartment complexes and adult family
homes
Currently, municipalities must send two special voting deputies (one
designated by each major political party if the party wishes) to conduct absentee
voting in nursing homes. Municipalities may also send the deputies to conduct
absentee voting in community-based residential facilities and retirement homes
that qualify for the service in accordance with standards prescribed by law. This
substitute amendment permits municipal clerks and boards of election
commissioners to send two special voting deputies to conduct absentee voting in
adult family homes and residential care apartment complexes that qualify for the
service in accordance with similar standards prescribed by law.
Currently, with limited exceptions, an elector must be registered in order to
vote in an election in this state. In order to register, an elector must provide certain
information on a registration form and affirm the correctness of the information with
his or her signature. If an elector is unable, due to physical disability, to sign his or
her registration form, the elector may have another person sign on his or her behalf.
An elector who has not previously registered may register at the polling place serving
his or her residence on election day. Currently, when appearing to vote, an elector
must provide his or her name and address to the election officials and in some cases
must also provide proof of residence. Currently, an absentee elector may vote by mail
or at the office of the municipal clerk of the municipality where he or she resides. The
names of registered electors are checked against a poll list consisting of the names
of registered electors and the names of other electors are entered on a separate list.
Other absentee voting changes
The substitute amendment also makes other 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. 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.
2. Current law permits a military or overseas elector, as defined in state law,
to cast a vote in any general election in which a federal office is to be filled by writing
in the name of a candidate on a blank absentee ballot form prescribed by the U.S.
government and returning the ballot to the appropriate municipal clerk or board of
election commissioners. This substitute amendment permits a military elector, as
defined by state law, to cast such a ballot at any election, including any primary
election, at which a federal, state, or local office is to be filled and permits an overseas
elector, as defined by state law, to cast such a ballot at any election, including any
primary election, at which a federal office is to be filled.
3. This 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, as defined by federal law, who casts an absentee ballot may
ascertain whether the ballot has been received by the appropriate municipal clerk
or board. No similar provisions exist currently.
4. Currently, an absentee ballot cast by an elector is void unless it is received
at the polling place for the elector's residence by 8 p.m. on election night. However,
state law provides that if an elector is a military elector, as defined by federal law,
the elector has an additional ten days after the general election and seven days after
the September primary for the elector's ballot to be received by his or her
municipality if the ballot is postmarked by election day. This substitute amendment
extends a similar ten-day dispensation to military electors, as defined by federal law,
who are voting in the presidential preference primary or a special federal election.
5. Currently, an elector who is a military elector, as defined by state law, or an
overseas elector, as defined by state law, and who applies for an absentee ballot no
later than 30 days before an election may cast a blank write-in ballot at that election
in lieu of the official printed ballot, for any candidates for federal office whose offices
are contested at that election. The ballot is valid only if it is submitted from a location
outside the United States. This 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.
6. 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.
Appointment of special registration deputies
Currently, GAB or the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of any
municipality may appoint special registration deputies to assist qualified electors in
completing their voter registration forms prior to the close of registration at locations
other than the office of GAB, the office of a municipal clerk or board of election
commissioners, or a polling place. Registration forms that are obtained by a special
registration deputy are treated in the same manner as registration forms that are
received by mail. Any qualified elector of this state may qualify to serve as a special
registration deputy. A deputy who is appointed by a municipality may register any
qualified elector of the municipality and a deputy who is appointed by the board may
register any qualified elector of this state. GAB or a municipal clerk or board of
election commissioners may revoke the appointment of an individual for cause, and
no individual whose appointment is revoked is eligible for reappointment. This
substitute amendment discontinues appointment and revocation of special
registration deputies by GAB.
Proof of residence by students
Currently, certain electors are required to present proof of residence when
voting in an election. In order to be valid, any document submitted as proof of
residence must contain the current and complete residential address of the
document holder, except that the law permits a university, college, or technical
college fee or identification card that contains a photograph of the cardholder to be
used as proof of residence even if the document does not contain an address if the
university, college, or technical college, that issued the card provides a list of students
who reside in housing sponsored by the university, college, or technical college to the
municipal clerk or board of election commissioners together with the addresses of the
students. This substitute amendment deletes this exception, effective for elections
held in 2015, thereby requiring students to use an identification card that contains
a current and complete residential address or to present some other form of proof of
residence authorized by law. In addition, effective for elections held on the day that
the substitute amendment becomes law, the substitute amendment deletes the
option of using a fee card alone as proof of residence and provides that a student who
uses an identification card as proof of residence must present both the identification
card and a fee payment receipt that contains the name of the person to whom it was
issued and that is dated not earlier than nine months before the date of the election
at which the receipt is presented.
Voter registration information
This substitute amendment requires an elector who registers to vote on or after
the day the substitute amendment becomes law to provide, in addition to his or her
current residence location as presently required, the location of his or her previous
residence immediately before moving to his or her current residence location.
Voting residence
Currently, the voting residence of a person is the place where the person's
habitation is fixed, without any present intent to move, and to which, when absent,
the person intends to return, as evidenced by the person's actions, if any. This
substitute amendment creates examples of factors that may be considered in
determining voting residence, including business pursuits, employment, income
sources, residence for income or other tax purposes, residence of parents or any
spouse or children, locations of real or personal property, location of any homestead
for which an income tax credit is elected, and motor vehicle registrations.
Access to voter registration list
Currently, the statewide voter registration list is open to public inspection.
However, only authorized election officials may view certain personal information in
the list. This substitute amendment permits a municipal clerk or board of election
commissioners to provide a law enforcement agency of the federal government or any
state or local government with access to this personal information to be used for law
enforcement purposes. The substitute amendment also permits GAB to provide this
personal information to a subunit of the state government of another state to be used
for official purposes.