SB15: Bill Text

LRB-1536/1

JTK:skg:jlb

1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE

1995 Senate BILL 15

January 17, 1995 - Introduced by Senators Breske, Buettner, Andrea, Burke, Darling and Risser, cosponsored by Representatives Ourada, Ryba, Hasenohrl, Dobyns, R. Potter, Kreibich, Boyle, Handrick, Kreuser, Morris-Tatum and Baldwin. Referred to Committee on State Government Operations and Corrections.

SB15,1,3 An Act to amend 6.82 (2) (a); and to repeal and recreate 5.55 of the statutes; relating to: certification by electors who render assistance in voting at polling places.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Currently, 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 may select any individual to assist in casting his or her vote other than 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 must certify on the back of the ballot that it was marked or punched with his or her assistance. Where voting machines are used, the selected individual makes the certification on the registration list (list of electors who are registered to vote in municipalities where voter registration is required). The election officials then enter upon the poll list (list of electors who actually vote) the word "assisted", together with the full name and address of the individual who renders assistance.

This bill deletes the requirement that an individual who renders voting assistance certify on the ballot or registration list that he or she rendered assistance. The bill does not affect absentee voting procedure.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB15, s. 1 Section 1. 5.55 of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

SB15,2,10 5.55 Ballot identification. On every ballot, except a ballot label or voting machine ballot, shall be printed "Official .... Ballot" or "Official .... Ballot for ...." followed by the designation of the polling place for which the ballot has been prepared, the date of the election, and the official endorsement and blank certificates. The number of the ward or wards or aldermanic district, if any, and the name of the municipality may be omitted in printing and stamped or written on the ballots at any location which is clearly visible at the option of the county clerk. Printed information and initials shall appear on the back and outside of the ballot. When a ballot card is employed with an electronic voting system, the date of the election may be printed or stamped on the back of the ballot card in such a manner that the card is not reusable, at the option of the county clerk. Each ballot shall be prepared in substantially the following form:

SB15,2,14 OFFICIAL .... BALLOT (date of election) FOR

SB15,2,18 .... Ward (Wards) (if any) .... Aldermanic district (if any) City (Village or Town) of .... .... 19..

SB15,2,21 Ballot issued by

SB15,2,24 .... .... (Initials of inspectors)

SB15,3,2 Absent Elector's Ballot issued by

SB15,3,4 .... (Initials of municipal clerk or deputy clerk)

SB15, s. 2 Section 2. 6.82 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB15,3,16 6.82 (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.

SB15,3,17 (End)