LRB-1989/2
JTK&RJM:kmg:jf
2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE
March 5, 2003 - Introduced by Representatives Freese, Gunderson, Bies, Vrakas,
Hines, Ladwig, Hahn, Ott, Hundertmark, Gard, Kestell, Albers, Kreibich,
Ainsworth and Pettis, cosponsored by Senators Stepp and
Schultz. Referred
to Committee on Campaigns and Elections.
AB113,1,3
1An Act to amend 7.60 (1); and
to create 7.10 (7) of the statutes;
relating to:
2public inspection of the records of the canvass of elections for the offices of
3president and vice president.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Currently, canvasses of elections are conducted at polling places or at central
counting locations. All canvasses are open to the public. When a canvass at a polling
place is completed, the election inspectors announce the results to those persons who
are present at the polling place. The inspectors then report the returns to the
municipal clerk or board of election commissioners. If a canvass is conducted at a
central counting location, the municipal or county clerk or board of election
commissioners is responsible for the canvass. Municipal and county clerks and
boards of election commissioners then report the results to other clerks or agencies
to the extent required to determine election results. All records of returns are open
to public inspection. County clerks and boards of election commissioners are
required to keep their offices open on election night and to post all returns.
This bill directs county clerks and boards of election commissioners to withhold
from public inspection records of the canvass of the election for the offices of president
and vice president until 10 p.m. on election night. The bill does not affect public
access to polling places and central counting locations.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB113, s. 1
1Section
1. 7.10 (7) of the statutes is created to read:
AB113,2,42
7.10
(7) Release of presidential election returns. The county clerk shall
3withhold from public inspection under s. 19.35 (1) records of the canvass of the
4election for president and vice president until 10 p.m. on election night.
AB113, s. 2
5Section
2. 7.60 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB113,2,86
7.60
(1) Keep office open. On election night the county clerk shall keep the
7clerk's office open to receive reports from the ward inspectors and
, except as
8otherwise provided in s. 7.10 (7), shall post all returns.
