STATE OF WISCONSIN
Senate Journal
One-Hundred and Fifth Regular Session
FRIDAY, April 15, 2022
The Chief Clerk made the following entries under the above date.
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Chief Clerk's Entries
Deposited with the Secretary of State
The Chief Clerk records:
hist160114Senate Joint Resolution 1
hist160115Senate Joint Resolution 11
hist160116Senate Joint Resolution 14
hist160117Senate Joint Resolution 32
hist160118Senate Joint Resolution 84
hist160119Senate Joint Resolution 95
hist160120Senate Joint Resolution 100
hist160121Senate Joint Resolution 101
hist160122Senate Joint Resolution 102
hist160123Senate Joint Resolution 108
Deposited in the office of the Secretary of State on 4-15-2022.
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Petitions and Communications
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
April 15, 2022
The Honorable, the Senate:
The following bill(s), originating in the Senate, have been approved, signed and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State:
Bill Number   Act Number   Date Approved
hist160148Senate Bill 115   253   April 15, 2022
hist160150Senate Bill 392   254   April 15, 2022
hist160152Senate Bill 508   255   April 15, 2022
hist160154Senate Bill 519   256   April 15, 2022
hist160156Senate Bill 535   257   April 15, 2022
hist160168Senate Bill 564   264   April 15, 2022
hist160158Senate Bill 566   258   April 15, 2022
hist160160Senate Bill 604   259   April 15, 2022
hist160162Senate Bill 644   260   April 15, 2022
hist160164Senate Bill 673   261   April 15, 2022
hist160170Senate Bill 718   265   April 15, 2022
hist160172Senate Bill 719   266   April 15, 2022
hist160174Senate Bill 720   267   April 15, 2022
hist160166Senate Bill 794   262   April 15, 2022
Sincerely,
TONY EVERS
Governor
Pursuant to s. 35.095 (1)(b), Wisconsin Statutes, the following 2021 Act(s) have been published:
Act Number   Bill Number   Publication Date
hist160149Wisconsin Act 253   115   April 16, 2022
hist160151Wisconsin Act 254   392   April 16, 2022
hist160153Wisconsin Act 255   508   April 16, 2022
hist160155Wisconsin Act 256   519   April 16, 2022
hist160157Wisconsin Act 257   535   April 16, 2022
hist160159Wisconsin Act 258   566   April 16, 2022
hist160161Wisconsin Act 259   604   April 16, 2022
hist160163Wisconsin Act 260   644   April 16, 2022
hist160165Wisconsin Act 261   673   April 16, 2022
hist160167Wisconsin Act 262   794   April 16, 2022
hist160169Wisconsin Act 264   564   April 16, 2022
hist160171Wisconsin Act 265   718   April 16, 2022
hist160173Wisconsin Act 266   719   April 16, 2022
hist160175Wisconsin Act 267   720   April 16, 2022
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State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
April 15, 2022
The Honorable, the Senate:
hist160176I am vetoing Senate Bill 213 in its entirety.
This bill would change the venue for certain election law violations. Currently an action for certain election law violations must occur in the county where the defendant resides; the bill would provide that venue is proper in the county where the alleged violation occurred or, in some circumstances, a contiguous county. The bill would also allow any person to bypass filing a complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission in favor of commencing an action against an election official they believe has acted contrary to the law without first filing a complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy; it should not be subject to the whim of politicians who do not like the outcome of an election. Elected officials should not be able to abuse their power to cheat or control the outcomes of our elections or to prevent eligible voters from casting their ballots. This legislation is among many that have been sent to my desk during this legislative session, each passed under the guise of needing to reform our election system because elected officials in this state have enabled disinformation about our elections and election processes. I have and will object to each and every effort by this Legislature and its members to undermine our democracy, to erode confidence in our elections, and to demean and harass dedicated clerks, election administrators, and poll workers.
I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to changing the venue for these actions and changing the procedure for commencing an action against an election official. Currently, a person accused of violations of state election laws is tried in the circuit court for the county where the defendant resides, with certain exceptions. This bill would specify that the venue for trying certain violations be either in the county where the act occurred or potentially in a contiguous county. This would undoubtedly lead to parties shopping around for judges who are perceived as more sympathetic to one political side or another. This is a dangerous precedent to set, and one which is not healthy for a well-functioning democracy.
I also object to modifying the way in which a person challenges the actions of an election official. Currently, any individual, other than a district attorney or the attorney general, must first file a complaint with the Elections Commission, and only after the commission's review can the matter go before a court. This step is essential as election laws are highly complex. It is quite likely that members of the public may perceive there to be an incorrect action by an election official because they do not understand the detailed law that regulates our elections. By starting the process with the Elections Commission, election experts can review the actions or perceived failures of action and determine if there was a potential violation or if the complainant simply did not understand the law.
Respectfully submitted,
TONY EVERS
Governor
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