LRB-1057/1
JTK:kaf:km
1997 - 1998 LEGISLATURE
January 15, 1997 - Introduced by Senators Breske, Plache, Moen and Buettner,
cosponsored by Representatives Ryba, Grothman, Ourada, Riley, Dobyns,
Linton, Ziegelbauer, Musser, Murat, Handrick, Bock, Huebsch, Wasserman,
Gronemus, Boyle, Seratti, Plale, Olsen
and Kreibich. Referred to
Committee on Economic Development, Housing and Government Operations.
SB19,1,3 1An Act to amend 6.82 (2) (a); and to repeal and recreate 5.55 of the statutes;
2relating to: certification by electors who render assistance in voting at polling
3places.
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:
SB19, s. 1
1Section 1. 5.55 of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
SB19,2,13 25.55 Ballot identification. On every ballot, except a ballot label or voting
3machine ballot, shall be printed "Official .... Ballot" or "Official .... Ballot for ...."
4followed by the designation of the polling place for which the ballot has been
5prepared, the date of the election, and the official endorsement and blank
6certificates. The number of the ward or wards or aldermanic district, if any, and the
7name of the municipality may be omitted in printing and stamped or written on the
8ballots at any location which is clearly visible at the option of the county clerk.
9Printed information and initials shall appear on the back and outside of the ballot.
10When a ballot card is employed with an electronic voting system, the date of the
11election may be printed or stamped on the back of the ballot card in such a manner
12that the card is not reusable, at the option of the county clerk. Each ballot shall be
13prepared in substantially the following form:
SB19,2,17 15OFFICIAL .... BALLOT
16 (date of election)
17 FOR
SB19,2,2118 .... Ward (Wards) (if any)
19 .... Aldermanic district (if any)
20 City (Village or Town) of ....
21 .... 19..

SB19,3,22 Ballot issued by
SB19,3,53 ....
4 ....
5 (Initials of inspectors)
SB19,3,88 Absent Elector's Ballot issued by
SB19,3,109 ....
10 (Initials of municipal clerk or deputy clerk)
SB19, s. 2 11Section 2. 6.82 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB19,3,2212 6.82 (2) (a) If an elector declares to the presiding election official that he or she
13cannot read or write, or has difficulty in reading, writing or understanding English
14or that due to disability is unable to mark or punch a ballot or depress a button or
15lever on a voting machine, the elector shall be informed by the officials that he or she
16may have assistance. When assistance is requested, the elector may select any
17individual to assist in casting his or her vote. The selected individual rendering
18assistance may not be the elector's employer or an agent of that employer or an officer
19or agent of a labor organization which represents the elector. The selected individual
20shall certify on the back of the ballot that it was marked or punched with his or her
21assistance. Where voting machines are used, certification shall be made on the
22registration list.
SB19,3,2323 (End)
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