AB600: Bill Text

AB600,37,15 Present Address ....

AB600,37,17 If you have moved changed your residence within this municipality or changed your name, please contact this office to complete a change of name or address form.

AB600,37,18 [Office of clerk or board of election commissioners

AB600,37,19 Address

AB600,37,20 Telephone]".

AB600, s. 72 Section 72. 6.50 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,37,25 6.50 (2) The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall cancel change the registration of all notified electors under sub. (1) who have not applied for continuation of registration within 30 days of the date of mailing of the notice of suspension from eligible to ineligible status.

AB600, s. 73 Section 73. 6.50 (2m) of the statutes is repealed.

AB600, s. 74 Section 74. 6.50 (3) to (6) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB600,38,17 6.50 (3) Upon receipt of reliable information that a registered elector has changed his or her residence to a location outside of the municipality, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall notify the elector by mailing a notice by 1st class mail to the elector's registration address stating the source of the information. All municipal departments and agencies receiving information that a registered elector has changed his or her residence shall notify the clerk or board of election commissioners. If the elector no longer resides in the municipality or fails to apply for continuation of registration within 30 days of the date the notice is mailed, the clerk or board of election commissioners shall cancel change the elector's registration from eligible to ineligible status. Upon receipt of reliable information that a registered elector has changed his or her residence within the municipality, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall transfer the elector's registration and mail the elector a notice of the transfer under s. 6.40 (2). This subsection does not restrict the right of an elector to challenge any registration under s. 6.325, 6.48, 6.925 or 6.93.

AB600,38,21 (4) The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall cancel change the registration of deceased electors from eligible to ineligible status by means of checking vital statistics reports. No notice need be sent of registrations canceled registration changes made under this subsection.

AB600,39,6 (5) The registration of any elector whose address is listed at a building which has been condemned for human habitation by the municipality under s. 66.0413 (1) (j) shall be investigated by the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners. If the clerk or board of election commissioners can find no reason why the registration of such an elector should not be stricken changed from the registration list eligible to ineligible status, the clerk or board of election commissioners shall change the elector's registration shall be canceled status. If the elector has left a forwarding address with the U.S. postal service, a notice of cancellation change in status shall be mailed by the clerk or board of election commissioners to the forwarding address.

AB600,39,8 (6) The municipal clerk, upon authorization by an elector, shall cancel change the elector's registration from eligible to ineligible status.

AB600, s. 75 Section 75. 6.50 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,39,12 6.50 (7) When an elector's registration is canceled changed from eligible to ineligible status, the municipal clerk shall make an entry upon on the registration card list, giving the date of and cause of cancellation reason for the change.

AB600, s. 76 Section 76. 6.50 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,40,6 6.50 (8) Any municipal governing body may direct the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners to arrange with the U.S. postal service pursuant to applicable federal regulations, to receive change of address information with respect to individuals residing within the municipality for revision of the elector registration list. If required by the U.S. postal service, the governing body may create a registration commission consisting of the municipal clerk or executive director of the board of election commissioners and 2 other electors of the municipality appointed by the clerk or executive director for the purpose of making application for address changes and processing the information received. The municipal clerk or executive director shall act as chairperson of the commission. Any authorization under this subsection shall be for a definite period or until the municipal governing body otherwise determines. The procedure shall apply uniformly to the entire municipality whenever used. The procedure shall provide for receipt of complete change of address information on an automatic basis, or not less often than once every 2 years during the 60 days preceding the close of registration for the September primary. If a municipality adopts the procedure for obtaining address corrections under this subsection, it need not comply with the procedure for mailing address verification cards under subs. (1) and (2) or (2m).

AB600, s. 77 Section 77. 6.50 (9) of the statutes is repealed.

AB600, s. 78 Section 78. 6.50 (10) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,40,12 6.50 (10) Any qualified elector whose registration is canceled changed from eligible to ineligible status under this section may have his or her registration reinstated by filing a new registration form reregister as provided under s. 6.28 (1), 6.29 (2), or 6.55 (2).

AB600, s. 79 Section 79. 6.55 (2) (a) 1. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,40,23 6.55 (2) (a) 1. (intro.) Except where the procedure under par. (c) or (cm) is employed, any person who qualifies as an elector in the ward or election district where he or she desires to vote, but has not previously filed a registration form, or was registered at another location in a municipality where registration is required, may request permission to vote at the polling place for that ward or election district, or at an alternate polling place assigned under s. 5.25 (5) (b). When a proper request is made, the inspector shall require the person to execute a registration form prescribed by the board that. The registration form shall be completed in the manner provided under s. 6.33 (2) and shall contain all information required under s. 6.33 (1), together with the following certification:

AB600, s. 80 Section 80. 6.55 (2) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,41,3 6.55 (2) (a) 2. If a change of address is made from outside the municipality, the elector municipal clerk shall file a cancellation the notice required under s. 6.40 (1) (b) (a) 3.

AB600, s. 81 Section 81. 6.55 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,41,19 6.55 (2) (b) Upon executing the registration form under par. (a), the person elector shall be required by a special registration deputy or inspector to present provide acceptable proof of residence under sub. (7). If the person elector cannot supply such provide acceptable proof of residence, the information contained in the registration form shall be substantiated and signed corroborated in a statement that is signed by one other any elector who resides in the same municipality as the registering elector, corroborating all the material statements therein and that contains the current street address of the corroborating elector. The corroborator shall then provide acceptable proof of residence as provided in sub. (7). The signing by the elector executing the registration form and by any elector who corroborates the information in the form corroborator shall be in the presence of the special registration deputy or inspector. Upon compliance with this procedure, such person shall then be given the right to vote the elector shall be permitted to cast his or her vote, if the elector complies with all other requirements for voting at the polling place.

AB600, s. 82 Section 82. 6.55 (2) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,42,15 6.55 (2) (c) 1. As an alternative to registration at the polling place under pars. (a) and (b), the board of election commissioners, or the governing body of any municipality in which registration is required may by resolution require a person who qualifies as an elector and who is not registered and desires to register on the day of an election to do so at another readily accessible location in the same building as the polling place serving the elector's residence or at an alternate polling place assigned under s. 5.25 (5) (b), instead of at the polling place serving the elector's residence. In such case, the municipal clerk shall prominently post a notice of the registration location at the polling place. The municipal clerk, deputy clerk or special registration deputy at the registration location shall require such person to execute a registration form as prescribed under par. (a) and to provide acceptable proof of residence as provided under sub. (7). If the person elector cannot supply such provide acceptable proof of residence, the information contained in the registration form shall be corroborated in the manner provided in par. (b). The signing by the elector executing the registration form and by any corroborating elector corroborator shall be in the presence of the municipal clerk, deputy clerk or special registration deputy. Upon proper completion of registration, the municipal clerk, deputy clerk or special registration deputy shall serially number the registration and give one copy to the elector for presentation at the polling place serving the elector's residence or an alternate polling place assigned under s. 5.25 (5) (b).

AB600, s. 83 Section 83. 6.55 (2) (c) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,42,25 6.55 (2) (c) 2. Upon compliance with the procedures under subd. 1., the municipal clerk or deputy clerk shall issue a certificate addressed to the inspectors of the proper polling place directing that the elector be permitted to cast his or her vote if the elector complies with all requirements for voting at the polling place. The clerk shall enter the name and address of the elector on the face of the certificate. If the elector's registration is corroborated, the clerk shall also enter the name and address of the corroborator on the face of the certificate. The certificate shall be numbered serially and prepared in duplicate. The municipal clerk shall preserve one copy in his or her office.

AB600, s. 84 Section 84. 6.55 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,43,8 6.55 (2) (d) A registered elector who has changed his or her name but resides at the same address, and has not notified the municipal clerk under s. 6.40 (1) (c), shall notify the inspector of the change before voting. The inspector shall then notify the municipal clerk at the time which when materials are returned under s. 6.56 (1). If an elector changes has changed both a name and address, the elector shall complete a registration form register at the polling place or other registration location under pars. (a) and (b).

AB600, s. 85 Section 85. 6.55 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,44,8 6.55 (3) Any qualified elector in the ward or election district where the elector desires to vote whose name does not appear on the registration list where registration is required but who claims to be registered to vote in the election may request permission to vote at the polling place for that ward or election district. When the request is made, the inspector shall require the person to give his or her name and address. If the elector is not at the polling place which serves the ward or election district where the elector resides, the inspector shall provide the elector with directions to the correct polling place. If the elector is at the correct polling place, the elector shall then execute the following written statement: "I, ...., hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge, I am a qualified elector, having resided at .... for at least 10 days immediately preceding this election, and that I am not disqualified on any ground from voting, and I have not voted at this election and am properly registered to vote in this election." The person shall be required to provide acceptable proof of residence as provided under sub. (7) and shall then be given the right to vote. If acceptable proof is presented, the elector need not have the information corroborated by any other elector. If acceptable the elector cannot provide acceptable proof is not presented of residence, the statement shall be certified by the elector and shall be corroborated in a statement that is signed by another any other elector who resides in the municipality and that contains the current street address of the corroborating elector. The corroborator shall then provide acceptable proof of residence as provided in sub. (7). Whenever the question of identity or residence cannot be satisfactorily resolved and the elector cannot be permitted to vote, an inspector shall telephone the office of the municipal clerk to reconcile the records at the polling place with those at the office.

AB600, s. 86 Section 86. 6.55 (7) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,44,11 6.55 (7) (a) (intro.) For purposes of this section, a form of identification an identifying document constitutes acceptable proof of residence if it includes:

AB600, s. 87 Section 87. 6.55 (7) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,44,15 6.55 (7) (b) If an elector's address has changed since a piece of identification an identifying document was issued, the new information may be typed or printed on the identification document by hand, in ink.

AB600, s. 88 Section 88. 6.55 (7) (c) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,44,19 6.55 (7) (c) (intro.) Forms of identification Identifying documents which constitute acceptable proof of residence under this section, when they contain the information specified in par. (a), include the following:

AB600, s. 89 Section 89. 6.55 (7) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,44,22 6.55 (7) (c) 1. A Wisconsin motor vehicle An operator's license issued under ch. 343.

AB600, s. 90 Section 90. 6.55 (7) (c) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,44,25 6.55 (7) (c) 2. A Wisconsin An identification card issued under s. 125.08, 1987 stats s. 343.50.

AB600, s. 91 Section 91. 6.55 (7) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,45,4 6.55 (7) (d) Forms of identification Identifying documents specified in par. (c) which are valid for use during a specified period shall be valid on the day of an election in order to constitute acceptable proof of residence at that election.

AB600, s. 92 Section 92. 6.56 (2) to (4) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB600,45,18 6.56 (2) Upon receipt of the list, the municipal clerk shall make a check to determine whether each person who has been allowed to vote under s. 6.55 (3) is properly registered. If so, the clerk shall correct the registration list. If the address on the registration list is not correct, the clerk shall correct the address. The clerk shall then notify the elector by postcard when he or she is properly registered. If such person is found not to be properly registered, the clerk shall send the person a 1st class letter with that information, containing a mail registration form under s. 6.30 (4). The letter shall be marked "Address correction requested" in accordance with postal regulations to ensure that it will be returned to the clerk if the elector does not reside at the address given on the postcard. If such letter is returned undelivered, or if the U.S. postal service notifies the clerk of an improper address which was apparently improper on the day of the election, the clerk shall notify the district attorney.

AB600,46,8 (3) Upon receipt of the list under sub. (1), the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall make an audit of all electors registering to vote at the polling place or other registration location under s. 6.55 (2) and all electors registering by agent on election day under s. 6.86 (3) (a) 2. The audit shall be made by 1st class postcard. The postcard shall be labeled "Address correction requested" or "Do not forward—return postage guaranteed " marked in accordance with postal regulations to ensure that it will be returned to the clerk or board of election commissioners if the elector does not reside at the address given on the postcard. If any postcard is returned undelivered, or if the clerk or board of election commissioners is informed of a different address than the one specified by the elector which was apparently improper on the day of the election, the clerk or board shall remove the elector's name from change the status of the elector from eligible to ineligible on the registration list, and mail the elector a notice of the removal change in status and provide the name to the district attorney for the county where the polling place is located.

AB600,46,19 (4) After each election, the municipal clerk shall carefully check to assure that no person has been allowed to vote more than once. Whenever the municipal clerk has good reason to believe that a person has voted more than once in an election, the clerk shall send the person a 1st class letter with return receipt and address correction requested, informing him or her marked in accordance with postal regulations to ensure that it will be returned to the clerk if the elector does not reside at the address given on the letter. The letter shall inform the person that all registrations relating to that person may be canceled changed from eligible to ineligible status within 7 days unless the person contacts the office of the clerk to clarify the matter. A copy of such the letter and of any subsequent information received from or about the addressee shall be sent to the district attorney.

AB600, s. 93 Section 93. 6.57 of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

AB600,46,24 6.57 Registration list for special elections. The municipal clerk of each municipality where a special election is held nonconcurrently with a regularly scheduled election shall obtain a copies of the current registration list from the board for use in the special election.

AB600, s. 94 Section 94. 6.79 (intro.) (except 6.79 (title)) of the statutes is renumbered 6.79 (1m) and amended to read:

AB600,47,9 6.79 (1m) Separate poll lists. Two election officials at each election ward shall be in charge of and shall maintain 2 separate poll lists of containing information relating to all persons voting. The municipal clerk may elect to maintain the information on the poll list lists manually or electronically. If the list is lists are maintained electronically, the officials shall enter the information into an electronic data recording system that enables retrieval of a printed copy copies of the poll list lists at the polling place. The system employed is subject to the approval of the board.

AB600, s. 95 Section 95. 6.79 (1) of the statutes is repealed.

AB600, s. 96 Section 96. 6.79 (2) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

AB600,47,18 6.79 (2) Voting procedure. (a) Unless information on the poll list is entered electronically, the municipal clerk shall supply the inspectors with 2 copies of the most current official registration list or lists prepared under s. 6.36 (2) (a) for use as poll lists at the polling place. Except as provided in sub. (6), each person, before receiving a serial number, shall state his or her full name and address. The officials shall verify that the name and address provided by the person are the same as the person's name and address on the poll list.

AB600,47,21 (b) Upon the poll list, after the name of each elector, the officials shall enter a serial number for each elector in the order that votes are cast, beginning with number one.

AB600,48,3 (c) The officials shall maintain separate lists 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) and shall enter the full name, address, and serial number of each of these electors on the appropriate separate list. Alternatively, if the poll list is maintained electronically, the officials may enter on the poll list the information that would otherwise appear on a separate list if the information that would be obtainable from a separate list is entered on the poll list.

AB600,48,9 (d) If the poll list indicates that identification is required, the officials shall require the elector to provide identification. If identification is provided, the officials shall verify that the name and address on the identification provided is the same as the name and address shown on the registration list. If identification is required and not provided, the officials shall offer the opportunity for the elector to vote under s. 6.97.

AB600,48,11 (e) The officials shall then provide each elector with a slip bearing the same serial number as is recorded for the elector upon the poll list or separate list.

AB600, s. 97 Section 97. 6.79 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,49,3 6.79 (4) Supplemental information. When any elector provides identification acceptable proof of residence under sub. (1) or s. 6.15, 6.29 or 6.55 (2) or (3), the election officials shall enter the type of identification identifying document provided on the poll or registration list, or supplemental separate list maintained under sub. (2) (c). If the form of identification document submitted as proof of identity or residence includes a number which applies only to the individual holding that piece of identification document, the election officials shall also enter that number on the list. When any elector corroborates the registration identity or residence of any person offering to vote under sub. (1) or s. 6.55 (2) (b) or (c) or (3), or the registration identity or residence of any person registering on election day under s. 6.86 (3) (a) 2., the election officials shall also enter the name and address of the corroborator shall also be entered next to the name of the elector whose information is being corroborated on the registration or poll list, or the separate list maintained under sub. (2) (c). When any person offering to vote has been challenged and taken the oath, following the person's name on the registration or poll list, the officials shall enter the word "Sworn".

AB600, s. 98 Section 98. 6.79 (5) of the statutes is repealed.

AB600, s. 99 Section 99. 6.79 (6) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

AB600, s. 100 Section 100. 6.79 (6) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 6.79 (6) and amended to read:

AB600,49,15 6.79 (6) Confidential names and addresses. In municipalities where registration is required, an An elector who has a confidential listing under s. 6.47 (2) may present his or her identification card issued under s. 6.47 (3) , or may give his or her name and identification serial number issued under s. 6.47 (3), in lieu of stating his or her name and address under sub. (2). If the elector's name and identification serial number appear on the confidential portion of the list, the inspectors shall issue a voting serial number to the elector, record that number on the registration poll list and permit the elector to vote.

AB600, s. 101 Section 101. 6.82 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,50,10 6.82 (1) (a) When any inspectors are informed that an elector is at the entrance to the polling place who as a result of disability is unable to enter the polling place, they shall permit the elector to be assisted in marking a ballot by any individual selected by the elector, except the elector's employer or an agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a labor organization which represents the elector. The individual selected by the elector shall provide identification for the assisted elector, whenever required, and all other information necessary for the elector to obtain a ballot under s. 6.79 (2). The inspectors shall issue a ballot to the individual selected by the elector and shall accompany the individual to the polling place entrance where the assistance is to be given. If the ballot is a paper ballot, the assisting individual shall fold the ballot after the ballot is marked by the assisting individual. The assisting individual shall then immediately take the ballot into the polling place and give the ballot to an inspector. The inspector shall distinctly announce that he or she has "a ballot offered by .... (stating person's name), an elector who, as a result of disability, is unable to enter the polling place without assistance". The inspector shall then ask, "Does anyone object to the reception of this ballot?" If no objection is made, the inspectors shall record the elector's name under s. 6.79 and deposit the ballot in the ballot box, and shall make a notation on the registration or poll list: "Ballot received at poll entrance".

AB600, s. 102 Section 102. 6.86 (3) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,50,19 6.86 (3) (a) 1. Any elector who is registered, or otherwise qualified where registration is not required, and who 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.

AB600, s. 103 Section 103. 6.86 (3) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,51,13 6.86 (3) (a) 2. If a hospitalized elector is not registered where registration is required, the elector may register by agent under this subdivision at the same time that the elector applies for an official ballot by agent under subd. 1. To register the elector under this subdivision, the agent shall present a completed registration form that contains the required information supplied by the elector and the elector's signature, unless the elector is unable to sign due to physical disability. In this case, the elector may authorize another elector to sign on his or her behalf. Any elector signing a form on another elector's behalf shall attest to a statement that the application is made on request and by authorization of the named elector, who is unable to sign the form due to physical disability. The agent shall present this statement along with all other information required under this subdivision. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, the agent shall in every case present provide acceptable proof of the elector's residence under s. 6.55 (7). If the agent cannot present this proof, the registration form shall be signed and substantiated by another elector residing in the elector's municipality of residence, corroborating the information in the form. The form shall contain the full name and address of the corroborating elector. The agent shall then present acceptable proof of the corroborating elector's residence under s. 6.55 (7).

AB600, s. 104 Section 104. 6.86 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,51,22 6.86 (3) (b) When each properly executed form and statement required under par. (a) is presented to the municipal clerk, if the elector who proposes to vote is qualified, an absentee ballot shall be issued and the name of such hospitalized elector shall be recorded by the clerk or special registration deputy. An agent who is issued an absentee ballot under this section shall present identification documentation of his or her identity, provide his or her name and address, and attest to a statement that the ballot is received solely for the benefit of a named elector who is hospitalized, and the agent will promptly transmit the ballot to such person.

AB600, s. 105 Section 105. 6.86 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,52,9 6.86 (3) (c) An application under par. (a) 1. may be made and a registration form under par. (a) 2. may be filed in person at the office of the municipal clerk not earlier than 7 days before an election and not later than 5 p.m. on the day of the election. A list of hospitalized electors applying for ballots under par. (a) 1. shall be made by the municipal clerk and used to check that the electors vote only once, and by absentee ballot. If identification is required, the municipal clerk shall so inform the agent and the elector shall enclose identification in the envelope with the ballot. The ballot shall be sealed by the elector and returned to the municipal clerk either by mail or by personal delivery of the agent; but if the ballot is returned on the day of the election, the agent shall make personal delivery at the polling place serving the hospitalized elector's residence before the closing hour for the ballot to be counted.

AB600, s. 106 Section 106. 6.865 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,52,11 6.865 (title) Federal postcard request form absentee ballot requests.

AB600, s. 107 Section 107. 6.865 of the statutes is renumbered 6.865 (2).

AB600, s. 108 Section 108. 6.865 (1) of the statutes is created to read:

AB600,52,15 6.865 (1) In this section, "military elector" and "overseas elector" have the meanings given under s. 6.36 (2) (c).

AB600, s. 109 Section 109. 6.865 (3) and (4) of the statutes are created to read:

AB600,53,2 6.865 (3) If the elector making a timely request for an absentee ballot is a military elector or an overseas elector and the elector requests that he or she be sent an absentee ballot for the next 2 general elections, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall comply with the request except that no ballot shall be sent for a succeeding general election if the elector's name appeared on the registration list for a previous general election and no longer appears on the registration list for the succeeding general election. If the elector's address for the succeeding general election is in a municipality that is different from the municipality in which the elector resided for the first general election, the clerk or board of election commissioners shall forward the request to the clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality where the elector resides.

AB600,53,6 (4) If the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners rejects a request for an absentee ballot from a military elector or an overseas elector, the clerk or board of election commissioners shall promptly inform the elector of the reason for the rejection.

AB600, s. 110 Section 110. 6.869 of the statutes is created to read:

AB600,53,12 6.869 Uniform instructions. The board shall prescribe uniform instructions for absentee voters. The instructions shall include information concerning the procedure for correcting errors in marking a ballot and obtaining a replacement for a spoiled ballot. The procedure shall, to the extent possible, respect the privacy of each elector and preserve the confidentiality of each elector's vote.

AB600, s. 111 Section 111. 6.87 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB600,54,7 6.87 (3) (d) 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 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 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. The elector shall then mail the absentee ballot with postage prepaid to the municipal clerk. An Except as authorized in s. 6.97 (2), 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.