LRB-4034/3
JTK:kjf&wlj:pg
2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE
February 26, 2004 - Introduced by Representatives Gottlieb, J. Wood, Pocan,
Miller
and Berceau, cosponsored by Senator Reynolds. Referred to
Committee on Campaigns and Elections.
AB911,1,7 1An Act to amend 5.01 (3) (a), 5.58 (3), 7.08 (1) (c), 7.50 (1) (c), 7.51 (4) (a), 7.51
2(5) (a), 7.53 (1), 7.60 (4) (a), 7.60 (4) (c), 8.05 (3) (a), 8.05 (4) (a), 8.11 (1) (a) to (c),
38.11 (2), (2m) and (5), 8.50 (3) (b), 9.10 (3) (d) and 10.02 (3) (intro.); and to create
45.01 (3) (c), 5.01 (4) (e), 5.20, 5.40 (5s), 5.60 (6s), 6.80 (2) (g), 7.50 (2) (k), 7.52,
58.05 (1) (L), 8.11 (6) and 10.02 (4) of the statutes; relating to: use of preferential
6voting to determine the results of elections for nonpartisan local offices and
7granting rule-making authority.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Currently, a voter at a primary or other election for a county, municipal, or other
local nonpartisan office may cast one vote for a candidate for each office or seat that
appears on the ballot. If a primary is required, a voter may select the candidate of
his or her choice for each office or seat that appears on the ballot and the names of
the two candidates for that office or seat who receive the greatest numbers of votes
then appear on the ballot at the ensuing election. Generally, a primary election is
required to be held whenever there are more than two candidates who qualify to have
their names appear on the ballot for a nonpartisan office or seat or, whenever more
than one seat is to be filled on a governmental body at the same election, if there are
more than twice as many candidates for seats as there are seats to be filled from a
given jurisdiction or district. A primary is not held in elections for town or village

offices in a town or village where a caucus is used to nominate candidates for town
or village offices.
This bill permits the governing body of each municipality, except a town or
village where a caucus is used, and certain other local governmental units, to adopt
a preferential voting method (also called an "instant runoff" method) for the election
of nonpartisan officers. Under the bill, a local governmental unit other than a
municipality may use the preferential voting method for the election of its officers
only if all of the municipalities having territory within the jurisdiction of the local
governmental unit are using or agree to utilize an electronic voting system to conduct
the election. Under the preferential voting method, whenever there are three or
more candidates for an office or seat to be filled at an election, each voter may cast
as many votes for each office or seat as there are candidates whose names appear on
the ballot for that office or seat. If the voter votes for more than one candidate for
an office or seat, the voter must indicate a preference between the candidates by
designating one as "first choice," another as "second choice," and subsequent choices
in sequential preference. A voter may also vote for one or more write-in candidates
for any office or seat. A voter who casts one vote for a candidate for an office or seat
but does not indicate a preference is considered to have cast a "first-choice" vote for
that candidate. If any candidate receives a majority of the first-choice or no-choice
votes cast for the office or seat, that candidate is elected. If no candidate receives a
majority of the first-choice and no-choice votes cast for an office or seat, the name
of the candidate receiving the least number of first-choice votes is dropped and the
second-choice votes of the voters who voted for that candidate, if any, are then added
to the first-choice votes received by the other candidates. In addition, the
third-choice votes of the voters who voted for that candidate, if any, are then added
to the second-choice votes received by the other candidates. Additional choices of
those voters are allocated to the other candidates in a similar manner. If any
candidate for the office or seat then has a majority of the combined first-choice and
reallocated second-choice votes cast, that candidate is elected. If not, the procedure
is repeated until one candidate receives a majority of the combined first-choice and
reallocated votes cast. If this voting method is used, no primary election is held. Once
adopted, the preferential voting method must be used in all nonpartisan elections of
the local governmental unit, but the local governmental unit may discontinue use of
the system upon 90 days' notice to affected municipalities. The procedure does not
apply at recall elections for nonpartisan county offices.
Currently, municipalities having a population of 7,500 or more must use voting
machines or an electronic voting system at every election. This bill requires any local
governmental unit that elects to use the preferential voting method for the election
of its nonpartisan officers to ensure that an electronic voting system is used in every
municipality that lies wholly or partially within the jurisdiction of the local
governmental unit at every election where this method of voting is used. If a
municipality which lies within the jurisdiction of a local governmental unit does not
utilize an electronic voting system, the local governmental unit must obtain the

concurrence of that municipality to acquire the system before an election using the
preferential voting method may be held.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB911, s. 1 1Section 1. 5.01 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB911,3,52 5.01 (3) (a) Except as provided in par. pars. (b) and (c), in every election to
3choose any officer, each elector has one vote for each office unless clearly indicated
4otherwise. The person receiving the greatest number of legal votes for the office shall
5be declared elected, and the canvassers shall so determine and certify.
AB911, s. 2 6Section 2. 5.01 (3) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
AB911,3,107 5.01 (3) (c) In every election for a local office in which the preferential voting
8method is used, any person who receives a majority of the first-choice votes shall be
9declared elected, and if no person receives a majority of first-choice votes, the
10election shall be determined in accordance with s. 7.52.
AB911, s. 3 11Section 3. 5.01 (4) (e) of the statutes is created to read:
AB911,3,1612 5.01 (4) (e) This subsection applies to elections at which the preferential voting
13method is used to break ties between candidates for an office or seat who receive the
14same number of votes of specified choice, but does not apply at such elections if more
15than one candidate for an office or seat receives the same number of lowest choice
16votes.
AB911, s. 4 17Section 4. 5.20 of the statutes is created to read:
AB911,3,18 185.20 Preferential voting method. (1) In this section:
AB911,3,2019 (a) "Local governmental unit" means a county, city, village, town, or special
20purpose district.
AB911,4,4
1(b) "Preferential voting" means a voting method in which the electors voting
2in an election for an elective office are permitted to express and order their
3preferences for all candidates whose names appear on the ballot for the same office
4or seat.
AB911,4,14 5(2) Except as provided in ss. 5.40 (5s), 8.05 (1) (L) and 9.10 (3) (d), the
6policy-making body of any local governmental unit that is served by elective officers
7may adopt preferential voting as the method of voting and determination of the
8results of all elections for nonpartisan offices to be filled in the local governmental
9unit. If the preferential voting method is to be used in elections for the office of
10municipal judge of a joint municipal court under s. 755.01 (4), the governing body of
11each contracting municipality shall act under this subsection. A body may act under
12this subsection by ordinance, or if the body does not enact ordinances, by resolution
13adopted at a meeting of the body. A policy-making body that has adopted
14preferential voting under this subsection may revoke that action in like manner.
AB911,4,17 15(3) Action of a body under sub. (2) is effective for all elections held for the
16election of nonpartisan officers of a local governmental unit on and after the 120th
17day beginning after the action is taken, except as provided in sub. (7).
AB911,5,4 18(4) In jurisdictions where preferential voting is used, an elector may cast as
19many preferential votes for each office as there are candidates for the office whose
20names appear on the ballot. If more than one seat on a policy-making body is to be
21filled at large, an elector may cast one vote for each seat that is contested multiplied
22by the number of candidates and, in addition, may cast as many preferential votes
23for the seats to be filled as there are candidates for those seats whose names appear
24on the ballot. If write-in votes are permitted, a voter may vote for a write-in
25candidate in lieu of any candidate whose name appears on the ballot. To indicate a

1preference, an elector shall mark his or her ballot with or cause the voting machine
2to reflect the elector's first choice, second choice, third choice, and subsequent
3choices, if any. An elector is not required to indicate a choice and is not required to
4indicate as many choices as the elector is eligible to indicate.
AB911,5,11 5(5) The preferential voting method may not be used for balloting or canvassing
6within any ward or election district in which an election for an office is held unless
7it is used for balloting and canvassing within all wards and election districts in which
8that election is held. A preferential voting method may not be used in balloting or
9canvassing of votes for any nonpartisan office of a governmental unit to be filled at
10an election unless it is used in balloting and canvassing of votes for all of the
11nonpartisan offices of the governmental unit to be filled at that election.
AB911,5,13 12(6) In tallying votes in elections where preferential voting is used, the method
13of canvassing specified in s. 7.52 shall be used.
AB911,5,20 14(7) Whenever the policy-making body of a governmental unit adopts or
15discontinues the preferential voting method to determine the election of the elective
16nonpartisan officers of the governmental unit, the body shall promptly provide
17written notice of its action to the municipal clerk of each municipality other than the
18governmental unit that lies wholly or partially within the jurisdiction of the
19governmental unit. The body shall provide the notice no later than the 120th day
20preceding any election at which the preferential voting method is to be used.
AB911, s. 5 21Section 5. 5.40 (5s) of the statutes is created to read:
AB911,6,922 5.40 (5s) Any municipality that elects under s. 5.20 to utilize the preferential
23voting method to determine the results of its elections for nonpartisan officers of the
24local governmental unit shall ensure that an electronic voting system is used for
25those elections at every polling place in the municipality. A local governmental unit,

1other than a municipality, that elects under s. 5.20 to utilize the preferential voting
2method to determine the results of its elections for nonpartisan offices of the local
3governmental unit may utilize the preferential voting method only if all the
4municipalities having territory within the jurisdiction of the local governmental unit
5are utilizing an electronic voting system on the date of that election or the local
6governmental unit obtains a written agreement with every such municipality that
7does not utilize an electronic voting system on that date, signed by the municipal
8clerk on behalf of the municipality, that the municipality will acquire an electronic
9voting system approved under s. 5.91 to be utilized in those elections.
AB911, s. 6 10Section 6. 5.58 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB911,7,211 5.58 (3) Names on spring ballot. Only Except in elections at which the
12preferential voting method is used, only
2 candidates for state superintendent, for
13any judicial office, for any elected seat on a metropolitan sewerage commission or
14town sanitary district commission, in counties having a population of 500,000 or
15more only 2 candidates for member of the board of supervisors within each district,
16in counties having a population of less than 500,000 only 2 candidates for each
17member of the county board of supervisors from each district or numbered seat or
18only 4 candidates for each 2 members of the county board of supervisors from each
19district whenever 2 supervisors are elected to unnumbered seats from the same
20district, in 1st class cities only 2 candidates for any at-large seat and only 2
21candidates from any election district to be elected to the board of school directors, in
22school districts electing school board members to numbered seats, or pursuant to an
23apportionment plan or district representation plan, only 2 school board candidates
24for each numbered seat or within each district, and twice as many candidates as are
25to be elected members of other school boards or other elective officers receiving the

1highest number of votes at the primary shall be nominees for the office at the spring
2election. Only their names shall appear on the official spring ballot.
AB911, s. 7 3Section 7. 5.60 (6s) of the statutes is created to read:
AB911,7,64 5.60 (6s) Preferential voting method. If the preferential voting method is
5used in an election for local office, the form of the ballot shall conform to the
6requirements of s. 5.20 (4).
AB911, s. 8 7Section 8. 6.80 (2) (g) of the statutes is created to read:
AB911,7,178 6.80 (2) (g) In elections for offices at which the preferential voting method is
9used, an elector may cast as many preferential votes for each office or seat as there
10are candidates whose names appear on the ballot for that office or seat. If more than
11one seat on a governmental body is to be filled at large, an elector may cast as many
12preferential votes for that office or seat as there are candidates whose names appear
13on the ballot for all of the seats to be filled. An elector who indicates preferences for
14candidates for an office or seat must indicate a different preference for each
15candidate for that office or seat. If an elector does not indicate a preference between
16candidates for an office or seat, the elector has one vote for each office or seat to be
17filled at the election.
AB911, s. 9 18Section 9. 7.08 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB911,7,2319 7.08 (1) (c) Prescribe forms required by ss. 6.24 (3) and (4), 6.30 (4), 6.33 (1),
206.40 (1) (b), 6.47 (1) (a) 2. and (3), 6.55 (2) and (3), 6.79 (5) and, 6.86 (2) and (3), and
217.52 (1)
. All such forms shall contain a statement of the penalty applicable to false
22or fraudulent registration or voting through use of the form. Forms are not required
23to be furnished by the board.
AB911, s. 10 24Section 10. 7.50 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB911,8,3
17.50 (1) (c) If Except in elections at which the preferential voting method is
2used, if
an elector casts more than one vote for the same candidate for the same office,
3the first vote is valid and the remaining votes are invalid.
AB911, s. 11 4Section 11. 7.50 (2) (k) of the statutes is created to read:
AB911,8,135 7.50 (2) (k) In elections at which the preferential voting method is used, if an
6elector casts no more than one vote for each office or seat for which the elector is
7entitled to vote, but does not indicate a preference, the elector's votes shall be counted
8as first choice votes for the candidates receiving the elector's votes. If an elector
9indicates the same preference for more than one candidate for an office or seat in an
10election where those expressed preferences exceed the number of offices or seats to
11be filled, the elector's votes are invalid. If an elector indicates both a preference and
12no preference for candidates for an office or seat in an election where the elector's
13votes exceed the number of offices or seats to be filled, the elector's votes are invalid.
AB911, s. 12 14Section 12. 7.51 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB911,9,715 7.51 (4) (a) The tally sheets shall state the total number of votes cast for each
16office and for each individual receiving votes for that office, whether or not the
17individual's name appears on the ballot, and shall state the vote for and against each
18proposition voted on. In elections in which the preferential voting method is
19employed, the tally sheets shall state the total number of first-choice votes received
20by each candidate and the total number of lesser-choice votes received by each
21candidate, indicating the total number of votes for each choice.
Upon completion of
22the tally sheets, the inspectors shall immediately complete inspectors' statements in
23duplicate. The inspectors shall state the excess by which the number of ballots
24exceeds the number of electors voting as shown by the poll or registration list, if any,
25and shall state the number of the last elector as shown by the registration or poll lists.

1At least 3 inspectors, including the chief inspector and, unless election officials are
2appointed under s. 7.30 (4) (c) without regard to party affiliation, at least one
3inspector representing each political party, shall then certify to the correctness of the
4statements and tally sheets and sign their names. All other election officials
5assisting with the tally shall also certify to the correctness of the tally sheets. When
6the tally is complete, the inspectors shall publicly announce the results from the
7statements.
AB911, s. 13 8Section 13. 7.51 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB911,9,259 7.51 (5) (a) The inspectors shall make full and accurate return of the votes cast
10for each candidate and proposition on tally sheet forms provided by the municipal
11clerk for that purpose. Each tally sheet shall record the returns for each office or
12referendum by ward, unless combined returns are authorized in accordance with s.
135.15 (6) (b) in which case the tally sheet shall record the returns for each group of
14combined wards. After recording the votes, the inspectors shall seal in a carrier
15envelope outside the ballot bag or container one inspectors' statement under sub. (4)
16(a), one tally sheet, and one poll or registration list for delivery to the county clerk,
17unless the election relates only to municipal or school district offices or referenda.
18The inspectors shall also similarly seal one inspectors' statement, one tally sheet,
19and one poll or registration list for delivery to the municipal clerk. For elections in
20which the preferential voting method is used, the inspectors shall enclose the tally
21sheet provided under s. 7.52 (1).
For school district elections, except in 1st class
22cities, the inspectors shall similarly seal one inspectors' statement, one tally sheet,
23and one poll or registration list for delivery to the school district clerk. The inspectors
24shall immediately deliver all ballots, statements, tally sheets, lists, and envelopes
25to the municipal clerk.
AB911, s. 14
1Section 14. 7.52 of the statutes is created to read:
AB911,10,4 27.52 Canvass procedure for preferential voting method. In any election
3in which the preferential voting method is used, the election shall be canvassed in
4the following manner:
AB911,10,7 5(1) The board shall prescribe a tally sheet form for canvassing of elections in
6which the preferential voting method is used. The inspectors shall use the form in
7preparing the returns and shall retain the form as a part of the official returns.
AB911,11,5 8(2) If any candidate receives a majority of the first-choice votes cast for an office
9or seat, the candidate shall be declared elected. If no candidate for an office or seat
10receives a majority of the first-choice votes cast, the first-choice votes received by
11the candidate having the least number of first-choice votes shall be excluded from
12the tally and the 2nd-choice votes, if any, cast by the electors who voted for that
13candidate shall be added to the first-choice votes received by the other candidates.
14If more than one candidate receives the least number of first-choice votes the names
15of the candidates receiving these votes shall be excluded from the tally and the
162nd-choice votes, if any, cast by electors who voted for those candidates shall be
17added to the first-choice votes received by the other candidates. The 3rd-choice
18votes, if any, cast for that candidate shall be added to the 2nd-choice votes received
19by the other candidates. Additional choice votes, if any, shall be tallied in the same
20manner. If at an election at which the preferential voting method is used an elector
21in voting for an office or seat indicates a choice for a lesser preference without also
22indicating a choice for all greater preferences available to the elector for that office
23or seat, each lesser preference of the elector for that office or seat shall be counted
24as a higher preference in the order that the elector's choices are indicated so that all
25of the preferences of the elector are cast in consecutive order. If any candidate then

1receives a majority of the first-choice votes cast for an office or seat, the candidate
2shall be declared elected. If no candidate for an office or seat receives a majority of
3the first-choice votes cast, the canvassers shall exclude from the tally the
4first-choice votes received by that candidate and repeat the above procedure until
5one candidate receives a majority of the first-choice votes cast for the office or seat.
AB911, s. 15 6Section 15. 7.53 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB911,11,187 7.53 (1) Municipalities with one polling place. Where the municipality
8constitutes one ward or combines all wards to utilize a single polling place under s.
95.15 (6) (b), the canvass shall be conducted publicly under s. 7.51 and the inspectors
10shall act as the municipal board of canvassers. Upon completion of the canvass and
11ascertainment of the results by the inspectors, the clerk shall publicly read the
12names of the persons voted for and the number of votes for each person for each
13municipal office,; in elections in which the preferential voting method is used, the
14number of first-choice votes and the number of lesser-choice votes for each person
15for each office, indicating the numbers for each choice;
the names of the persons
16declared by the inspectors to have won nomination or election to each municipal
17office; and the number of votes cast for and against each municipal referendum
18question.
AB911, s. 16 19Section 16. 7.60 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB911,12,1620 7.60 (4) (a) The board of canvassers shall make separate duplicate statements
21showing the numbers of votes cast for the offices of president and vice president; state
22officials; U.S. senators and representatives in congress; state legislators; justice;
23court of appeals judge; circuit judges; district attorneys; and metropolitan sewerage
24commissioners, if the commissioners are elected under s. 200.09 (11) (am). If a
25municipal judge elected under s. 755.01 (4) serves a municipality that is located

1partially within the county and candidates for that judgeship file nomination papers
2in another county, the board of canvassers shall prepare a duplicate statement
3showing the numbers of votes cast for that judgeship in that county for transmittal
4to the other county. For partisan candidates, the statements shall include the
5political party or principle designation, if any, next to the name of each candidate.
6The board of canvassers shall also prepare a statement showing the results of any
7county, technical college district or statewide referendum. Each statement shall
8state the total number of votes cast in the county for each office; the names of all
9persons for whom the votes were cast, as returned; the number of votes cast for each
10person; after elections at which the preferential voting method is used, the number
11of first-choice votes and lesser-choice votes cast for each person, indicating the
12numbers for each choice;
and the number of votes cast for and against any question
13submitted at a referendum. The board of canvassers shall use one copy of each
14duplicate statement to report to the elections board, technical college district board
15or board of canvassers of any other county and shall file the other statement in the
16office of the county clerk or board of election commissioners.
AB911, s. 17 17Section 17. 7.60 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB911,13,618 7.60 (4) (c) In preparing the statements and determinations, the board of
19canvassers shall carefully review the tally sheets and inspectors' statement. The
20board of canvassers may omit the names of individuals whose names do not appear
21on the ballot and who receive a comparatively small number of votes. The board of
22canvassers shall designate votes received by such individuals as scattering votes.
23The board of canvassers shall append to each statement and determination a
24tabulation of the votes cast at each election district, ward or combination of wards
25authorized under s. 5.15 (6) (b) in the county for each office and each individual,

1whether the votes are canvassed or not, as well as the total canvassed votes cast for
2each individual and each office, except where scattering votes are designated, and,
3after elections at which the preferential voting method is used, the number of
4first-choice votes and lesser-choice votes cast for each person for each office,
5indicating the numbers for each choice
. If any votes are rejected, the board of
6canvassers shall specify the reasons therefor.
AB911, s. 18 7Section 18. 8.05 (1) (L) of the statutes is created to read:
AB911,13,118 8.05 (1) (L) Whenever a caucus is used to nominate candidates for town or
9village offices, the preferential voting method shall not be used. If a town or village
10institutes a nonpartisan primary, the preferential voting method may be substituted
11as provided in s. 5.20.
AB911, s. 19 12Section 19. 8.05 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB911,13,2013 8.05 (3) (a) In lieu of sub. (1) Except as provided in s. 8.11 (6), the electors either
14by referendum or at the town meeting may, in lieu of holding a caucus under sub. (1),
15provide for nomination of elective town office candidates at a nonpartisan primary
16conducted as provided in sub. (5). The nomination papers shall be signed by not less
17than 20 nor more than 100 electors of the town. The nomination papers shall be
18circulated not sooner than December 1 preceding the election and shall be filed with
19the town clerk not later than 5 p.m. the first Tuesday in January, or the next day if
20Tuesday is a holiday.
AB911, s. 20 21Section 20. 8.05 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB911,14,222 8.05 (4) (a) A Except as provided in s. 8.11 (6), a majority of the governing body
23of any village may provide under s. 8.11 (1) (a) and (b) that candidates for elective
24village office shall be nominated by a nonpartisan primary, under sub. (5).

1Determination of the governing body to provide for such primary under s. 8.11 (1) (a)
2shall be made not later than December 1 preceding the election.
AB911, s. 21 3Section 21. 8.11 (1) (a) to (c) of the statutes are amended to read:
AB911,14,84 8.11 (1) (a) A Except as provided in sub. (6), a primary may be held in any city
5for the nomination of candidates for city office. When a majority of all the members
6of the governing body of a city decide upon a spring primary for any specific election,
7they shall so provide not later than 3 days after the deadline for filing nomination
8papers.
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