AB700: Bill Text Engrossed

AB700-engrossed,37,21 6.24 (5) Ballots. The board shall prescribe a special ballot for use under this section whenever necessary. Official ballots under ss. 5.60 (8) and 5.64 (3) prescribed for use in the presidential preference primary may also be used. The ballot shall be designed to comply with the requirements of prescribed under ss. 5.60 (8), 5.62 and 5.64 (1) insofar as applicable. All ballots shall be limited to national offices only.

AB700-engrossed, s. 74 Section 74. 6.24 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,38,6 6.24 (6) Instructions and handling. The municipal clerk shall mail send a ballot, as soon as available, to each overseas elector by whom a request has been made. The board shall prescribe the instructions for marking or punching and returning ballots and the municipal clerk shall enclose such instructions with each ballot. The envelope, return envelope and instructions may not contain the name of any candidate appearing on the enclosed ballots other than that of the municipal clerk affixed in the fulfillment of his or her duties. The Except as authorized under s. 6.87 (3) (d), the municipal clerk shall mail the material postage prepaid to any place in the world. The overseas elector shall provide return postage.

AB700-engrossed, s. 76 Section 76. 6.275 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,38,10 6.275 (1) (c) Where registration applies, the total number of electors of the municipality residing in that county who registered after the close of registration and prior to the day of the primary or election under s. ss. 6.28 (1) and 6.29.

AB700-engrossed, s. 77 Section 77. 6.28 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,39,5 6.28 (1) Registration locations; deadline. Registration Except as authorized in ss. 6.29 and 6.55 (2), registration in person for any election shall close at 5 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday preceding the election. Registrations made by mail under s. 6.30 (4) must be delivered to the office of the municipal clerk or postmarked no later than the 2nd Wednesday preceding the election. An application for registration in person or by mail may be accepted for placement on the registration list after the specified deadline, if the municipal clerk determines that the registration list can be revised to incorporate the registration in time for the election. All applications for registration corrections and additions may be made throughout the year at the office of the city board of election commissioners, at the office of the municipal clerk, at the office of any register of deeds or at other locations provided by the board of election commissioners or the common council in cities over 500,000 population or by either or both the municipal clerk, or the common council, village or town board in all other municipalities and may also be made during the school year at any high school by qualified persons under sub. (2) (a). Other registration locations may include but are not limited to fire houses, police stations, public libraries, institutions of higher education, supermarkets, community centers, plants and factories, banks, savings and loan associations and savings banks. Special registration deputies shall be appointed for all locations.

AB700-engrossed, s. 78 Section 78. 6.29 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,39,10 6.29 (1) No names may be added to a registration list for any election after the close of registration, except as authorized under this section or s. 6.28 (1) or 6.55 (2) or (3). Any person whose name is not on the registration list but who is otherwise a qualified elector is entitled to vote at the election upon compliance with this section.

AB700-engrossed, s. 79 Section 79. 6.29 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,39,17 6.29 (2) (b) Upon the filing of the registration form required by this section, the municipal clerk shall issue a certificate addressed to the inspectors of the proper ward directing that the elector be permitted to cast his or her vote , unless the clerk determines that the registration list will be revised to incorporate the registration in time for the election. The certificate shall be numbered serially, prepared in duplicate and one copy preserved in the office of the municipal clerk.

AB700-engrossed, s. 80 Section 80. 6.29 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,39,23 6.29 (2) (c) The elector, at At the time he or she appears at the correct polling place, the elector shall deliver the any certificate issued under par. (b) to the inspectors. If the elector applies for and obtains an absentee ballot, the any certificate shall be annexed to and mailed with the absentee ballot to the office of the municipal clerk.

AB700-engrossed, s. 81 Section 81. 6.30 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,40,2 6.30 (1) In person. Registration applications shall be made in person, except under subs. (2) to sub. (4).

AB700-engrossed, s. 82 Section 82. 6.30 (2) and (3) of the statutes are repealed.

AB700-engrossed, s. 83 Section 83. 6.30 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,40,16 6.30 (4) By mail. Any eligible elector who is located not more than 50 miles from his or her legal voting residence may register by mail on a form prescribed by the board and provided by each municipality. The form shall be designed to obtain the information required in ss. 6.33 (1) and 6.40 (1) (a) and (b). The form shall contain a certification by the elector that all statements are true and correct. The form shall be prepostpaid for return when mailed at any point within the United States, and shall be signed by a special registration deputy or shall be signed and substantiated by one other elector residing in the same municipality in which the registering elector resides, corroborating all material statements therein. The form shall be available in the municipal clerk's office and may be distributed by any elector of the municipality. The clerk shall mail a registration form to any elector upon written or oral request.

AB700-engrossed, s. 84 Section 84. 6.33 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,40,21 6.33 (2) (b) The registration form shall be signed by the registering elector and any corroborating elector under s. 6.29 (2) (a), 6.30 (2) to (4) or 6.55 (2) before the clerk, issuing officer or registration deputy. The form shall contain a certification by the registering elector that all statements are true and correct.

AB700-engrossed, s. 85 Section 85. 6.45 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,41,5 6.45 (1) After the deadline for revision of the registration list, the municipal clerk shall make copies of the list for election use. The registration list and any supplemental lists which are prepared at polling places or other registration locations under s. 6.55, shall be open to public inspection. Under the regulations prescribed by the municipal clerk, any person may copy the registration list at the office of the clerk. A registration list maintained at a polling place may be examined by an observer any person who is observing the proceedings under s. 7.41 when such use does not interfere with the conduct of the election.

AB700-engrossed, s. 86 Section 86. 6.79 (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,41,13 6.79 Recording electors. (intro.) Two election officials at each election ward shall be in charge of and shall maintain 2 separate lists of all persons voting. The municipal clerk may elect to maintain the information on the poll list manually or electronically. If the list is maintained electronically, the officials shall enter the information into an electronic data recording system that enables retrieval of a printed copy of the poll list at the polling place. The system employed is subject to the approval of the board.

AB700-engrossed, s. 87 Section 87. 6.79 (1) and (2) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,42,6 6.79 (1) Municipalities without registration. Where there is no registration, before being permitted to vote, each person shall state his or her full name and address. The officials shall record enter each name and address on a poll list in the same order as the votes are cast. If the residence of the elector does not have a number, the election officials shall, in the appropriate space, write enter "none". Alternatively, the municipal clerk may maintain a poll list consisting of the full name and address of electors compiled from previous elections. Whenever an elector appears to vote, the officials shall verify the correctness of the elector's name and address, and shall enter a serial number next to the name of the elector in the order that the votes are cast, beginning with the number one. If the name and address of an elector do not appear on the prepared poll list, the officials shall record enter the name, address and serial number of the elector at the bottom of the list. The officials may require any elector to provide identification, including acceptable proof of residence, or to have another elector corroborate his or her information in accordance with the procedure specified in s. 6.55 (2) (b) before permitting the elector to vote. The officials shall maintain a separate list of those persons voting under ss. 6.15 and 6.24.

AB700-engrossed,42,15 (2) Municipalities with registration. Where there is registration, each person, before receiving a voting number, shall state his or her full name and address. Upon the prepared registration list, after the name of each elector, the officials shall enter the serial number of the vote as it is polled, beginning with number one. Each elector shall receive a slip bearing the same serial number. A separate list shall be maintained for electors who are voting under s. 6.15, 6.29 or 6.55 (2) or (3) and electors who are reassigned from another polling place under s. 5.25 (5) (b). Each such elector shall have his or her full name, address and serial number likewise recorded entered and shall be given a slip bearing such number.

AB700-engrossed, s. 88 Section 88. 6.79 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,42,21 6.79 (5) Poll list forms format. Poll lists shall be kept on forms designed or in an electronic format prescribed by the board to be substantially similar to the standard registration list forms used in municipalities where registration is required and shall require, for each person offering to vote, the entry of the person's full name and address.

AB700-engrossed, s. 89 Section 89. 6.80 (2) (e) and (f) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,42,25 6.80 (2) (e) Upon voting his or her ballot, the elector shall publicly and in person deposit it in into the ballot box or deliver it to an inspector for, who shall deposit in the ballot into the ballot box.

AB700-engrossed,43,13 (f) In the presidential preference primary and other partisan primary elections at polling places where ballots are distributed to electors, unless the ballots are prepared under s. 5.655 or are utilized with an electronic voting system in which all candidates appear on the same ballot, after the elector prepares his or her ballot the elector shall detach the remaining ballots, fold the ballots to be discarded, and fold the completed ballot unless the ballot is intended for counting with automatic tabulating equipment,. The elector shall then either personally deposit the ballots to be discarded in into the separate ballot box marked "blank ballot box", and deposit the completed ballot in into the ballot box indicated by the inspectors, or give the ballots to an inspector who shall deposit the ballots directly into the appropriate ballot boxes. The inspectors shall keep the blank ballot box locked until the canvass is completed and shall dispose of the blank ballots as prescribed by the municipal clerk.

AB700-engrossed, s. 91 Section 91. 6.86 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,44,4 6.86 (1) (b) Except as provided in this section, if application is made in writing, the application, signed by the elector, shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the election. If application is made in person, the application shall be made no later than 5 p.m. on the day preceding the election. If the elector is making written application and the application indicates that the reason for requesting an absentee ballot is that the elector is a sequestered juror, the application shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on election day. If the application is received after 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the election, the municipal clerk or the clerk's agent shall immediately take the ballot to the court in which the elector is serving as a juror and deposit it with the judge. The judge shall recess court, as soon as convenient, and give the elector the ballot. The judge shall then notarize the affidavit as provided in s. 6.87 and shall deliver the ballot to the clerk or agent of the clerk who shall deliver it to the polling place as required in s. 6.88. If application is made under sub. (2), the application may be received no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the election.

AB700-engrossed, s. 92 Section 92. 6.86 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,44,14 6.86 (3) (a) Any elector who is registered, or otherwise qualified where registration is not required, and who qualifies under ss. 6.20 and 6.85 as an absent elector because the elector is hospitalized, may apply for and obtain an official ballot by agent. The agent may apply for and obtain a ballot for the hospitalized absent elector by presenting a form prescribed by the board and containing the required information supplied by the hospitalized elector and signed by that elector and any other elector residing in the same municipality as the hospitalized elector, corroborating the information contained therein. The corroborating elector shall state on the form his or her full name and address.

AB700-engrossed, s. 93 Section 93. 6.865 (intro.) and (1) of the statutes are consolidated, renumbered 6.865 and amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,44,22 6.865 Federal postcard request form. A federal postcard registration and absentee ballot request form may be used to apply for an absentee ballot under s. 6.86 (1) if the form is completed in such manner that the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners with whom it is filed is able to determine all of the following: (1) That that the applicant is an elector of this state and of the ward or election district where the elector seeks to vote.

AB700-engrossed, s. 94 Section 94. 6.865 (2) of the statutes is repealed.

AB700-engrossed, s. 95m Section 95m. 6.87 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,45,5 6.87 (2) (intro.) The Except as authorized under sub. (3) (d), the municipal clerk shall place the ballot in an unsealed envelope furnished by the clerk. The envelope shall have the name, official title and post-office address of the clerk upon its face. The other side of the envelope shall have a printed certificate-affidavit in substantially the following form:

AB700-engrossed, s. 96 Section 96. 6.87 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,45,10 6.87 (3) (a) Except as authorized under par. (d) and as otherwise provided in s. 6.875, the municipal clerk shall mail the absentee ballot postage prepaid for return to the elector's residence unless otherwise directed, or shall deliver it to the elector personally at the clerk's office.

AB700-engrossed, s. 97 Section 97. 6.87 (3) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB700-engrossed,46,6 6.87 (3) (d) Unless a municipality uses an electronic voting system that requires an elector to punch a ballot in order to record the elector's votes, a municipal clerk of a municipality may, if the clerk is reliably informed by an absent elector of a facsimile transmission number or electronic mail address where the elector can receive an absentee ballot, transmit a facsimile or electronic copy of the absent elector's ballot to that elector in lieu of mailing under this subsection if, in the judgment of the clerk, the time required to send the ballot through the mail may not be sufficient to enable return of the ballot by the time provided under sub. (6). An elector may receive an absentee ballot under this subsection only if the elector has filed a valid application for the ballot under sub. (1). If the clerk transmits an absentee ballot under this paragraph, the clerk shall also transmit a facsimile or electronic copy of the text of the material that appears on the certificate-affidavit envelope prescribed in sub. (2), together with instructions prescribed by the board. The instructions shall require the absent elector to make and subscribe to the affidavit or the certification as required under sub. (4) and to enclose the absentee ballot in a separate envelope contained within a larger envelope, that shall include the completed certificate-affidavit. The elector shall then mail the absentee ballot with postage prepaid to the municipal clerk. An absentee ballot received under this paragraph shall not be counted unless it is cast in the manner prescribed in this paragraph and in accordance with the instructions provided by the board.

AB700-engrossed, s. 98m Section 98m. 6.87 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,47,2 6.87 (4) Except as otherwise provided in s. 6.875, the elector voting absentee shall either make and subscribe to the affidavit before a person authorized to administer oaths or make and subscribe to the certification before 2 witnesses. The absent elector, in the presence of the administrator of the oath or witnesses, shall mark or punch the ballot in a manner that will not disclose how the elector's vote is cast. The elector shall then, still in the presence of the administrator of the oath or the 2 witnesses, fold the ballots if they are paper ballots so each is separate and conceals the markings or punches thereon and deposit them in the proper envelope, but. If a consolidated paper ballot under s. 5.655 or a ballot prepared for use with an electronic voting system is used, the elector shall fold the ballot so that the elector conceals the markings thereon and deposit the ballot in the proper envelope. The elector may receive assistance under sub. (5). The return envelope shall then be sealed. The witnesses or the official oath administrator may not be a candidate. The envelope shall be mailed by the elector, postage prepaid, or delivered in person, to the municipal clerk issuing the ballot. Failure to return an unused ballot in a primary does not invalidate the ballot on which the elector's votes are cast. Return of more than one marked or punched ballot in a primary or return of a ballot prepared under s. 5.655 or a ballot used with an electronic voting system in a primary which is marked or punched for candidates of more than one party invalidates all votes cast by the elector for candidates in the primary.

AB700-engrossed, s. 102 Section 102. 6.875 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,47,17 6.875 (2) (b) The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of any municipality where a community-based residential facility home is located may adopt the procedures under this section for absentee voting in any community-based residential facility located in the municipality if the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners finds that a significant number of the occupants of the community-based residential facility lack adequate transportation to the appropriate polling place, a significant number of the occupants of the community-based residential facility may need assistance in voting, there are a significant number of the occupants of the community-based residential facility aged 60 or over, or there are a significant number of indefinitely confined electors who are occupants of the community-based residential facility. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall promptly notify the individual submitting nominations for special voting deputies under s. 7.30 (4) of any action taken under this paragraph.

AB700-engrossed, s. 103 Section 103. 6.875 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,48,5 6.875 (2) (c) The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of any municipality where a retirement home is located may adopt the procedures under this section for absentee voting in any retirement home located in the municipality if the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners finds that a significant number of the occupants of the retirement home lack adequate transportation to the appropriate polling place, a significant number of the occupants of the retirement home may need assistance in voting, there are a significant number of the occupants of the retirement home aged 60 or over, or there are a significant number of indefinitely confined electors who are occupants of the retirement home. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall promptly notify the individual submitting nominations for special voting deputies under s. 7.30 (4) of any action taken under this paragraph.

AB700-engrossed, s. 104 Section 104. 6.875 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,49,6 6.875 (4) For the purpose of absentee voting in nursing homes and qualified retirement homes and qualified community-based residential facilities, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of each municipality in which one or more nursing homes or qualified retirement homes or qualified community-based residential facilities are located shall appoint at least 2 special voting deputies for the municipality in the manner prescribed in s. 7.30 (4). Upon application under s. 6.86 (1) or (2) by one or more qualified electors who are occupants of such a nursing home or qualified retirement home or qualified community-based residential facility, the clerk or board of election commissioners shall dispatch 2 special voting deputies to visit the home or qualified community-based residential facility for the purpose of supervising absentee voting procedure by occupants of the home or qualified community-based residential facility. The 2 deputies designated to visit each nursing home or qualified retirement home and qualified community-based residential facility shall be affiliated with different political parties whenever deputies representing different parties are available. Nominations for deputy positions may be submitted by the 2 recognized political parties whose candidates for governor or president received the greatest numbers of votes in the municipality at the most recent general election. The deputies shall be specially appointed to carry out duties under this section for the period specified in s. 7.30 (6) (a). The clerk or board of election commissioners may revoke an appointment at any time. No individual who is employed or retained, or within the 2 years preceding appointment has been employed or retained at a nursing home or qualified retirement home or qualified community-based residential facility in the municipality, or any member of the immediate family of such an individual as defined in s. 19.42 (7), may be appointed to serve as a deputy.

AB700-engrossed, s. 105 Section 105. 6.875 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,50,21 6.875 (6) Special voting deputies in each municipality shall, not later than 5 p.m. on the Friday preceding an election, arrange one or more convenient times with the administrator of each nursing home or qualified retirement home and qualified community-based residential facility in the municipality from which one or more occupants have filed an application under s. 6.86 to conduct absentee voting for the election. The time may be no earlier than the 4th Monday preceding the election and no later than 5 p.m. on the Monday preceding the election. Upon request of a relative of an occupant of a nursing home or qualified retirement home or qualified community-based residential facility, the administrator may notify the relative of the time or times at which special voting deputies will conduct absentee voting at the home or facility, and permit the relative to be present in the room where the voting is conducted. At the designated time, 2 deputies appointed under sub. (4) shall visit the nursing home or qualified retirement home or qualified community-based residential facility. The municipal clerk or executive director of the board of election commissioners shall issue a supply of absentee ballots to the deputies sufficient to provide for the number of valid applications received by the clerk, and a reasonable additional number of ballots. The municipal clerk or executive director shall keep a careful record of all ballots issued to the deputies and shall require the deputies to return every ballot issued to them. The deputies shall personally offer each elector who has filed a proper application the opportunity to cast his or her absentee ballot. If an elector is present who has not filed a proper application, the 2 deputies may accept an application from the elector and shall issue a ballot to the elector if the elector is qualified and the application is proper. The deputies shall administer the oath and may, upon request of the elector, assist the elector in marking or punching the elector's ballot. Upon request of the elector, a relative of the elector who is present in the room may assist the elector in marking or punching the elector's ballot. All voting shall be conducted in the presence of the deputies. No individual other than a deputy may administer the oath and no individual other than a deputy or relative of an elector may render voting assistance to the elector. Upon completion of the voting, the deputies shall promptly deliver, either personally or by 1st class mail, any absentee ballot applications and the sealed certificate-affidavit envelope containing each ballot to the clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality in which the elector casting the ballot resides, within such time as will permit delivery to the polling place serving the elector's residence on election day. Personal delivery may be made by the deputies no later than noon on election day. If a qualified elector is not able to cast his or her ballot on 2 separate visits by the deputies to the nursing home or qualified retirement home, they shall so inform the municipal clerk or executive director of the board of election commissioners, who may then mail send the ballot to the elector no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday preceding the election.

AB700-engrossed, s. 106m Section 106m. 6.88 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,51,8 6.88 (1) When an absentee ballot arrives at the office of the municipal clerk, the clerk shall enclose it, unopened, in a carrier envelope which shall be securely sealed and endorsed with the name and official title of the clerk, and the words "This envelope contains the ballot of an absent, aged, sick, handicapped or disabled elector or the ballot of an election official and must be opened at the polls during polling hours on election day". If the ballot was received by facsimile transmission or electronic mail and is accompanied by a separate certificate or affidavit, the clerk shall enclose the ballot in a certificate-affidavit envelope and securely append the completed certificate or affidavit to the outside of the envelope before enclosing the ballot in the carrier envelope. The clerk shall keep the ballot in the clerk's office until delivered, as required in sub. (2).

AB700-engrossed, s. 107 Section 107. 6.88 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,51,19 6.88 (2) When an absentee ballot is received by the municipal clerk prior to the delivery of the official ballots to the election officials of the ward in which the elector resides, the municipal clerk shall seal the ballot envelope, sealed in the carrier envelope, as provided under sub. (1), and shall be enclosed enclose the envelope in the a package and delivered deliver the package to the election inspectors of the proper ward or election district. When the official ballots for the ward or election district have been delivered to the election officials before the receipt of an absentee ballot, the clerk shall immediately enclose the envelope containing the absentee ballot in a carrier envelope as provided under sub. (1) and deliver it in person to the proper election officials.

AB700-engrossed, s. 109m Section 109m. 6.88 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,52,11 6.88 (3) (b) When the inspectors find that an affidavit or certification is insufficient, that the applicant is not a qualified elector in the ward or election district, that the ballot envelope is open or has been opened and resealed, or that the ballot envelope contains more than one ballot of any one kind, or if proof is submitted to the inspectors that an elector voting an absentee ballot has since died, or, if the ballot was voted by facsimile transmission or electronic mail, that the certificate or affidavit required to accompany the ballot is missing, the inspectors shall not count the ballot. The inspectors shall endorse every ballot not counted on the back, "rejected (giving the reason)". The inspectors shall reinsert each rejected ballot into the affidavit envelope in which it was delivered and enclose the affidavit envelopes and ballots, and securely seal the ballots and envelopes in an envelope marked for rejected absentee ballots. The inspectors shall endorse the envelope, "rejected ballots" with a statement of the ward or election district and date of the election, signed by the chief inspector and one of the inspectors representing each of the 2 major political parties and returned to the municipal clerk in the same manner as official ballots voted at the election.

AB700-engrossed, s. 110 Section 110. 6.95 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,53,6 6.95 Voting procedure for challenged electors. Whenever the inspectors under ss. 6.92 to 6.94 receive the vote of a person offering to vote who has been challenged, they shall give the elector a ballot. Before depositing the ballot, the inspectors shall write on the back of the ballot the serial number of the challenged person corresponding to the number kept at the election on the registration or poll list, or other list maintained under s. 6.79. If voting machines are used in the municipality where the person is voting, the person's vote may be received only upon an absentee ballot furnished by the municipal clerk which shall have the corresponding serial number from the registration or poll list or other list maintained under s. 6.79 written on the back of the ballot before the ballot is deposited. The inspectors shall indicate on the list the reason for the challenge. The challenged ballots shall be counted under s. 5.85 or 7.51. The municipal board of canvassers may decide any challenge when making its canvass under s. 7.53. If the returns are reported under s. 7.60, a challenge may be reviewed by the county board of canvassers. If the returns are reported under s. 7.70, a challenge may be reviewed by the chairperson of the board or the chairperson's designee. The decision of any board of canvassers or of the chairperson or chairperson's designee may be appealed under s. 9.01. The standard for disqualification specified in s. 6.325 shall be used to determine the validity of challenged ballots.

AB700-engrossed, s. 111 Section 111. Chapter 7 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,53,11 Chapter 7 election officials,; boards observers; selection and duties,; canvassing

AB700-engrossed, s. 112 Section 112. 7.08 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,53,16 7.08 (1) (c) Prescribe forms required by ss. 6.24 (3) and (4), 6.30 (3) and (4), 6.33 (1), 6.40 (1) (b), 6.55 (2) and (3), 6.79 (5) and 6.86 (2) and (3). All such forms shall contain a statement of the penalty applicable to false or fraudulent registration or voting through use of the form. Forms are not required to be furnished by the board.

AB700-engrossed, s. 113 Section 113. 7.08 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,54,9 7.08 (2) (a) As soon as possible after the closing date for filing nomination papers or after the canvass of the primary vote, but no later than the deadlines established in s. 10.06, transmit to each county clerk a certified list of all candidates on file in its office for which electors in that county may vote. The list shall designate the order of arrangement and contain each candidate's first name, middle initial or initials and last name, unless the candidate on his or her nomination papers or declaration of candidacy specifies that the middle initial be deleted, that a full middle name or former legal surname be substituted for the middle initial, that an initial be substituted for the candidate's first name or that a nickname be substituted for a first or middle name or for a first initial or middle initial or initials, but no other abbreviations or titles are permitted. The list shall also include each candidate's residence and post-office address; the office for which the person is a candidate; and, the party or principle the candidate represents, if any, in 5 words or less. Names of candidates nominated under s. 7.38 (3) or 8.35 shall be certified by the board upon filing of the necessary papers with it. At any time prior to an election, the board may transmit an amended certification if a candidate dies or is determined not to qualify for ballot placement.

AB700-engrossed, s. 114 Section 114. 7.10 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,54,16 7.10 (2) Preparing ballots. The county clerk shall prepare copy for the official ballots immediately upon receipt of the certified list of candidates' names from the board. Names certified by the board shall be arranged in the order certified. The county clerk shall place the names of all candidates filed in the clerk's office or certified to the clerk by the board on the proper ballot or ballots under the appropriate office and party titles.

AB700-engrossed, s. 115 Section 115. 7.10 (6) of the statutes is created to read:

AB700-engrossed,54,24 7.10 (6) Municipal judge; certified list. If candidates for the office of a municipal judge who is elected under s. 755.01 (4) file nomination papers in the office of the county clerk and any municipality served by the judge prepares its own ballots for voting machines or an electronic voting system, the county clerk shall certify to the municipal clerk of that municipality the names of the candidates for judge as soon as possible after the last day for filing nomination papers and after certification by the county board of canvassers of the results of any primary election.

AB700-engrossed, s. 116 Section 116. 7.15 (1) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,55,6 7.15 (1) (cm) Prepare official absentee ballots for delivery to electors requesting them, and mail send an official absentee ballot to each elector who has requested one no later than the 30th day before each September primary and general election and no later than the 21st day before each other primary and election if the request is made before that day; otherwise, the municipal clerk shall mail send an official absentee ballot within one day of the time the elector's request is received.

AB700-engrossed, s. 117 Section 117. 7.21 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB700-engrossed,55,8 7.21 (2m) The county board of election commissioners may:

AB700-engrossed,56,2 (a) Bring civil actions to require forfeitures under s. 11.60 for any violation of ch. 11. Forfeiture actions brought by the county board of election commissioners may concern only violations with respect to reports or statements required by law to be filed with it. The county board of election commissioners may compromise and settle any civil action or potential action brought or authorized to be brought by it under ch. 11 which, in the opinion of the county board of election commissioners, constitutes a minor violation, a violation caused by excusable neglect, or which for other good cause shown, should not in the public interest be prosecuted under such chapter. Notwithstanding s. 778.06, an action or proposed action authorized under this paragraph may be settled for such sum as may be agreed between the parties. Any settlement made by the county board of election commissioners shall be in such amount as to deprive the alleged violator of any benefit of his or her wrongdoing and may contain a penal component to serve as a deterrent to future violations. In settling actions or proposed actions, the county board of election commissioners shall treat comparable situations in a comparable manner and shall ensure that any settlement bears a reasonable relationship to the severity of the offense or alleged offense. Forfeiture actions brought by the county board of election commissioners shall be brought in the circuit court for the county served by the board of election commissioners.

AB700-engrossed,56,13 (b) In the discharge of its authority under par. (a) and upon notice to the party or parties being investigated, subpoena and bring before it any person in the state and require the production of any papers, books or other records relevant to an investigation. A circuit court may by order permit the inspection and copying of the accounts and the depositor's and loan records at any financial institution, as defined in s. 705.01 (3), doing business in the state to obtain evidence of any violation of ch. 11 upon showing by the county board of election commissioners of probable cause to believe that there is a violation and that such accounts and records may have a substantial relation to the violation. In the discharge of its duties, the county board of election commissioners may cause the deposition of witnesses to be taken in the manner prescribed for taking depositions in civil actions in circuit court.

AB700-engrossed,56,16 (c) Delegate to its executive director the authority to issue a subpoena or apply for a search warrant under par. (b), subject to such limitations as the county board of election commissioners considers appropriate.

AB700-engrossed, s. 118 Section 118. 7.30 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,57,12 7.30 (2) (a) Only election officials appointed under this section may conduct an election. Except as authorized in s. 7.15 (1) (k), each inspector shall be a qualified elector in the ward for which the polling place is established. Special registration deputies appointed under s. 6.55 (6) and election officials serving more than one ward or when necessary to fill a vacancy under par. (b) need not be a resident of that ward, but shall be a resident of the municipality. Special registration deputies may be appointed to serve more than one polling place. All officials shall be able to read and write the English language, be capable, be of good understanding, and may not be a candidate, other than for party committeeman or committeewoman, for any office to be voted for at an election at which they serve. In 1st class cities, they may hold no public office other than notary public. Except as authorized under sub. (4) (c), all inspectors shall be affiliated with one of the 2 recognized political parties which received the largest number of votes for president, or governor in nonpresidential general election years, in the ward or combination of wards served by the polling place at the last election. The party which received the largest number of votes is entitled to one more inspector than the party receiving the next largest number of votes at each polling place. The same election officials may serve the electors of more than one ward where wards are combined under s. 5.15 (6) (b). If a municipality is not divided into wards, the ward requirements in this paragraph apply to the municipality at large.

AB700-engrossed, s. 119 Section 119. 7.30 (4) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,58,5 7.30 (4) (b) 1. In cities where there is a board of election commissioners, the aldermanic district committeemen or committeewomen under s. 8.17 of each of the 2 dominant recognized political parties shall submit a certified list no later than November 30 of each even-numbered year containing the names of at least as many electors as there are inspectors from that party for each of the voting wards in the aldermanic district. The chairperson of the city committee, or if there is none, the chairperson of the county committee shall submit a certified list no later than November 30 of each even-numbered year containing the names of at least as many special voting deputies under s. 6.875 (4) as are required to be appointed in the city. The chairperson may designate any individual whose name is submitted as a first choice nominee. The board of election commissioners shall appoint, no later than December 31 of even-numbered years, the required number of special voting deputies and at least 5 inspectors for each ward. The board of election commissioners shall appoint all first choice nominees for so long as positions are available, unless nonappointment is authorized under par. (e), and shall appoint other individuals in its discretion. The board of election commissioners may designate such alternates as it deems advisable.

AB700-engrossed, s. 120 Section 120. 7.30 (4) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-engrossed,59,16 7.30 (4) (b) 2. In municipalities other than cities and villages located in counties having a population of more than 500,000, the committees organized under s. 8.17 from each of the 2 dominant parties under sub. (2) shall submit a list containing at least as many names as there are needed appointees from that party. The list shall be submitted by the chairperson of each of the 2 committees to the mayor, president or chairperson of the municipality. If committees are organized in subdivisions of a city, the list shall be submitted through the chairperson of the city committee. If there is no municipal committee, the list shall be submitted by the chairperson of the county or legislative district committee. Except as provided in par. (c), only those persons submitted by the chairperson of each committee under s. 8.17 may act as election officials. The chairperson may designate any individual whose name is submitted as a first choice nominee. The list shall contain the signature of the chairperson and secretary of the submitting committee. In cities or villages located in counties having a population of more than 500,000, other than cities where there is a board of election commissioners, the aldermanic district or village committeeman or committeewoman for the ward or wards where each polling place is located, if there is one, shall submit a list containing at least as many names as there are needed appointees for inspector positions from the party represented by the committeeman or committeewoman. For appointments of special voting deputies under s. 6.875 (4) and appointments of inspectors in cities and villages where there is no aldermanic district or village committeeman or committeewoman, nominations shall proceed in the same manner as in municipalities located in counties having a population of 500,000 or less. The list shall be submitted to the mayor or president. Except as provided in par. (c), only those persons whose names are submitted as provided in this paragraph may act as election officials. The committeeman or committeewoman may designate any individual whose name is submitted as a first choice nominee. The list shall contain the signature of the aldermanic district or village committeeman or committeewoman or the chairperson of the appropriate committee. Upon submission of each nominee's name, the governing body shall appoint each first choice nominee for so long as positions are available, unless nonappointment is authorized under par. (e), and shall appoint other nominees in its discretion. If any nominee is not appointed, the mayor, president or chairperson of the municipality shall immediately nominate another person from the appropriate lists submitted and continue until the necessary number of election officials from each party is achieved at that meeting.

AB700-engrossed, s. 121 Section 121. 7.30 (4) (cm) of the statutes is repealed.

AB700-engrossed, s. 122 Section 122. 7.30 (4) (cn) of the statutes is repealed.

AB700-engrossed, s. 123 Section 123. 7.37 (6) of the statutes is amended to read: