AB161: Bill Text

AB161,9,11 5.62 (2) (a) Except as provided in par. (b) and s. 5.64 (1) (e) 2., any political organization may be represented on a separate primary ballot or in one or more separate columns or rows on the primary ballot as prescribed in sub. (1) (a) and in a separate column on the general election ballot in every ward and election district. To qualify for a separate ballot under this paragraph, the political organization shall, not later than 5 p.m. on June May 1 in the year of the September partisan primary, file with the board a petition requesting separate ballot status. The petition shall be signed by at least 10,000 electors, including at least 1,000 electors residing in each of at least 3 separate congressional districts. The petition shall conform to the requirements of s. 8.40. No signature obtained before January 1 in the year of filing is valid. When the candidates of a political organization filing a valid petition fulfill the requirements prescribed by law, they shall appear on a separate ballot or one or more separate columns or rows on the ballot for the period ending with the following general election.

AB161,9,25 (b) Paragraph (a) applies to a party within any assembly district or county at any September partisan primary election only if at least one candidate of the party for any national, state or county office qualifies to have his or her name appear on the ballot under the name of that party within that assembly district or county. The county clerk or county board of election commissioners shall provide a combined separate ballot or one or more separate columns or rows on the ballot that will permit an elector to cast a vote for a write-in candidate for the nomination of any such party for each national, state and county office whenever that party qualifies to be represented on a separate primary ballot or in one or more separate columns or rows under par. (a) but does not qualify under this paragraph. The ballot shall include the name of each party qualifying for a separate ballot or one or more separate columns or rows on the ballot under each office, with the names of the candidates for each such party appearing in the same order in which the ballots of the parties would appear under sub. (1) (a).

AB161, s. 10 Section 10. 5.62 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,10,11 5.62 (3) The board shall designate the official primary ballot arrangement for statewide offices and district attorney within each prosecutorial district by using the same procedure as provided in s. 5.60 (1) (b). On each ballot and on each separate column or row on the ballot, the candidates for office shall be listed together with the offices which they seek in the following order whenever these offices appear on the September partisan primary ballot: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, U.S. senator, U.S. representative in congress, state senator, representative to the assembly, district attorney and the county offices. Below the names of the independent candidates shall appear the party or principle of the candidates, if any, in 5 words or less, as shown on their nomination papers.

AB161, s. 11 Section 11. 5.62 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,10,20 5.62 (5) At the September partisan primary, an elector may vote for the candidates of only one party, or the elector may vote for any of the independent candidates for state office listed; but the elector may not vote for more than one candidate for a single office. A space shall be provided on the ballot for an elector to write in the name of his or her choice as a party candidate for any office, including a party candidate of a party whose name appears on the ballot, column or row designated for independent candidates, as provided in sub. (1) (b) or (2) (b), but no space shall be provided to write in the names of independent candidates.

AB161, s. 12 Section 12. 6.22 (2) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

AB161,11,2 6.22 (2) (e) A military elector may file an application for an absentee ballot by means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission in the manner prescribed in s. 6.86 (1) (ac). Upon receipt of a valid application, the municipal clerk shall send the elector an absentee ballot or, if the elector so requests, shall transmit an absentee ballot to the elector by means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission in the manner prescribed in s. 6.87 (3) (d).

AB161, s. 13 Section 13. 6.22 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,11,10 6.22 (4) (a) A request for an absentee ballot by an individual who qualifies as a military elector shall be treated as a request for an absentee ballot for all elections unless the individual otherwise requests. Upon receiving a timely request for an absentee ballot under par. (b) by an individual who qualifies as a military elector, the municipal clerk shall send or transmit to the elector an absentee ballot for all elections that occur in the municipality or portion thereof where the elector resides beginning on the date that the clerk receives the request.

AB161, s. 14 Section 14. 6.22 (4) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,11,22 6.22 (4) (e) Whenever the material is mailed, the material shall be prepared and mailed to make use of the federal free postage laws. If the material does not qualify for mailing without postage under federal free postage laws, the municipal clerk shall pay the postage required for mailing to the military elector. If the return envelope qualifies for mailing free of postage under federal free postage laws, the clerk shall affix the appropriate legend required by U.S. postal regulations. Otherwise the municipal clerk shall pay the postage required for return when the ballot is mailed from within the United States. If the ballot is not mailed by the military elector from within the United States the military elector shall provide return postage. The mailing list established under this subsection shall be kept current in the same manner as provided in s. 6.86 (2) (b).

AB161, s. 15 Section 15. 6.22 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,12,10 6.22 (6) Military elector list. Each municipal clerk shall keep an up-to-date list of all eligible military electors who reside in the municipality ; city clerks shall keep the lists by wards in the format prescribed by the board. The list shall contain the name, latest-known military residence and military mailing address of each military elector. The list shall indicate whether each elector whose name appears on the list is a military elector, as defined in s. 6.36 (2) (c) 6.34 (1), and has so certified under s. 6.865 (3m). All persons over 18 years of age or who will be 18 years old prior to an election shall be listed and remain on the list for the duration of their tour of duty. The list shall be kept current through all possible means. Each clerk shall exercise reasonable care to avoid duplication of names or listing anyone who is not eligible to vote. Each clerk shall distribute 2 copies of one copy of the list to the appropriate ward each polling place in the municipality for use on election day.

AB161, s. 16 Section 16. 6.221 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,12,13 6.221 (title) Counting of absentee ballots for certain military electors; September partisan primary and general election.

AB161, s. 17 Section 17. 6.221 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,12,16 6.221 (1) In this section, "military elector" has the meaning given in s. 6.36 (2) (c) 6.34 (1) and active duty status for any election is determined as of election day.

AB161, s. 18 Section 18. 6.221 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,12,22 6.221 (3) (a) At the September partisan primary, a ballot that is cast under s. 6.22 by an elector who is a military elector, that is received by mail from the U. S. postal service, and that is postmarked no later than election day shall be counted as provided in this section if it is received by a municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on the 7th day after the election.

AB161,13,3 (b) At the general election, the presidential preference primary, or a special election for national office, a ballot that is cast under s. 6.22 by an elector who is a military elector, that is received by mail from the U.S. postal service, and that is postmarked no later than election day shall be counted as provided in this section if it is received by a municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on the 10th day after the election.

AB161, s. 19 Section 19. 6.221 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,13,12 6.221 (5) No later than the closing hour of the polls on the day of the September partisan primary and the day of the general election, the municipal clerk of each municipality shall post at his or her office and on the Internet at a site announced by the clerk before the polls open, and shall make available to any person upon request, a statement of the number of absentee ballots that the clerk has mailed or transmitted to military electors under this section and that have not been returned to the polling places where the electors reside by the closing hour on election day. The posting shall not include the names or addresses of any military electors.

AB161, s. 20 Section 20. 6.24 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,13,19 6.24 (2) Eligibility. An overseas elector under sub. (1) may vote in any election for national office, including the September partisan primary and presidential preference primary and any special primary or election. Such elector may not vote in an election for state or local office. An overseas elector shall vote in the ward or election district in which the elector was last domiciled or in which the elector's parent was last domiciled prior to departure from the United States.

AB161, s. 21 Section 21. 6.24 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,14,9 6.24 (4) (c) Upon receipt of a timely application from an individual who qualifies as an overseas elector and who has registered to vote in a municipality under sub. (3), the municipal clerk of the municipality shall send an absentee ballot to the individual for all subsequent elections for national office to be held during the year in which the ballot is requested, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, unless the individual otherwise requests or until the individual no longer qualifies as an overseas elector. of the municipality. The clerk shall not send an absentee ballot for an election if the overseas elector's name appeared on the registration list in eligible status for a previous election following the date of the application but no longer appears on the list in eligible status. The municipal clerk shall ensure that the envelope containing the absentee ballot is clearly marked as not forwardable. If an overseas elector who files an application under this subsection no longer resides at the same address that is indicated on the application form, the elector shall so notify the municipal clerk.

AB161, s. 22 Section 22. 6.24 (4) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

AB161,14,16 6.24 (4) (e) An overseas elector may file an application for an absentee ballot by means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission in the manner prescribed in s. 6.86 (1) (ac). Upon receipt of a valid application, the municipal clerk shall send the elector an absentee ballot or, if the elector so requests, shall transmit an absentee ballot to the elector by means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission in the manner prescribed in s. 6.87 (3) (d).

AB161, s. 23 Section 23. 6.25 (1) of the statutes is is renumbered 6.25 (1) (a) and amended to read:

AB161,15,3 6.25 (1) (a) Any individual who qualifies as a military elector under s. 6.22 (1) (b) or an overseas elector under s. 6.24 (1) and who transmits an application for an official absentee ballot for a general election any election, including a primary election, no later than 30 days before election day the latest time specified for the elector in s. 6.86 (1) (b) may, in lieu of the official ballot, cast a federal write-in absentee ballot prescribed under 42 USC 1973ff-2 for any candidate for an office listed on the official ballot or for all of the candidates of any recognized political party for national office the offices listed on the official ballot at the general that election if the federal write-in absentee ballot is received by the appropriate municipal clerk no later than the applicable time prescribed in s. 6.221 (3) or 6.87 (6).

AB161, s. 24 Section 24. 6.25 (1) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB161,15,13 6.25 (1) (b) Any individual who qualifies as an overseas elector under s. 6.24 (1) and who transmits an application for an official absentee ballot for an election for national office, including a primary election, no later than the latest time specified for an elector in s. 6.86 (1) (b) may, in lieu of the official ballot, cast a federal write-in absentee ballot prescribed under 42 USC 1973ff-2 for any candidate or for all candidates of any recognized political party for national office listed on the official ballot at that election, if the federal write-in absentee ballot is received by the appropriate municipal clerk no later than the applicable time prescribed in s. 6.221 (3) or 6.87 (6).

AB161, s. 25 Section 25. 6.25 (4) (intro.), (a) and (b) of the statutes are consolidated, renumbered 6.25 (4) and amended to read:

AB161,15,20 6.25 (4) A write-in absentee ballot issued under sub. (1), (2) or (3) is valid only if all of the following apply: (a) The ballot is submitted from a location outside the United States. (b) The the elector submitting the ballot does not submit an official ballot within the time prescribed in s. 6.87 (6) and, if the elector is an overseas elector, the elector resides outside the United States.

AB161, s. 26 Section 26. 6.36 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,16,12 6.36 (1) (a) The board shall compile and maintain electronically an official registration list. The list shall contain the name and address of each registered elector in the state, the date of birth of the elector, the ward and aldermanic district of the elector, if any, and, for each elector, a unique registration identification number assigned by the board, the number of a valid operator's license issued to the elector under ch. 343, if any, or the last 4 digits of the elector's social security account number, if any, any identification serial number issued to the elector under s. 6.47 (3), the date of any election in which the elector votes, an indication of whether the elector is a military elector, as defined in sub. (2) (c) s. 6.34 (1), who has so certified under s. 6.865 (3m), an indication of whether the elector is an overseas elector, as defined in s. 6.24 (1), any information relating to the elector that appears on the current list transmitted to the board by the department of corrections under s. 301.03 (20m), an indication of any accommodation required under s. 5.25 (4) (a) to permit voting by the elector, an indication of the method by which the elector's registration form was received, and such other information as may be determined by the board to facilitate administration of elector registration requirements.

AB161, s. 27 Section 27. 6.50 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,17,6 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 partisan 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).

AB161, s. 28 Section 28. 6.86 (1) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,17,11 6.86 (1) (a) (intro.) Any elector of a municipality who is registered to vote whenever required and who qualifies under ss. 6.20 and 6.85 as an absent elector may make written application to the municipal clerk of that municipality for an official ballot by one of the following methods:

AB161, s. 29 Section 29. 6.86 (1) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,17,14 6.86 (1) (a) 3. By signing a statement and filing a request to receive absentee ballots under sub. (2) or (2m) (a) or s. 6.22 (4) or 6.24 (4).

AB161, s. 30 Section 30. 6.86 (1) (ac) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,17,21 6.86 (1) (ac) Any elector qualifying under par. (a) may make written application to the municipal clerk for an official ballot by means of facsimile transmission or electronic mail. Any application under this paragraph shall need not contain a copy of the applicant's original signature. An elector requesting a ballot under this paragraph shall return with the voted ballot a copy of the request bearing an original signature of the elector as provided in s. 6.87 (4).

AB161, s. 31 Section 31. 6.86 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,18,18 6.86 (1) (b) Except as provided in this section, if application is made by mail, the application, signed by the elector, shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on the 5th day 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 Except as provided in par. (c), if the elector is making written application for an absentee ballot at the September partisan primary or, the general election, the presidential preference primary, or a special election for national office, and the application indicates that the elector is a military elector, as defined in s. 6.36 (2) (c), the application shall be received by the municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on election day. If 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 witness the voting procedure 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 or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, to the municipal clerk as required in s. 6.88. If application is made under sub. (2) or (2m), the application may be received no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the election.

AB161, s. 32 Section 32 . 6.86 (1) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 2011 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

AB161,19,16 6.86 (1) (b) Except as provided in this section, if application is made by mail, the application shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on the 5th day 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. Except as provided in par. (c), if the elector is making written application for an absentee ballot at the partisan primary, the general election, the presidential preference primary, or a special election for national office, and the application indicates that the elector is a military elector, as defined in s. 6.36 (2) (c) 6.34 (1), the application shall be received by the municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on election day. If 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 witness the voting procedure 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 or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, to the municipal clerk as required in s. 6.88. If application is made under sub. (2) or (2m), the application may be received no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the election.

AB161, s. 33 Section 33. 6.86 (2m) of the statutes is renumbered 6.86 (2m) (a) and amended to read:

AB161,20,20 6.86 (2m) (a) An Except as provided in this subsection, any elector other than an elector who is eligible to receive absentee ballots under sub. (2) receives an absentee ballot under s. 6.22 (4) or 6.24 (4) (c) may by written application filed with the municipal clerk of the municipality where the elector resides require that an absentee ballot be sent to the elector automatically for every election that is held within the same calendar year in which the application is filed. The application form and instructions shall be prescribed by the board, and furnished upon request to any elector by each municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall thereupon mail an absentee ballot to the elector for all elections that are held in the municipality during the same calendar year that the application is filed, except that the clerk shall not send an absentee ballot for an election if the elector's name appeared on the registration list in eligible status for a previous election following the date of the application but no longer appears on the list in eligible status. The municipal clerk shall ensure that the envelope containing the absentee ballot is clearly marked as not forwardable. If an elector who files an application under this subsection no longer resides at the same address that is indicated on the application form, the elector shall so notify the municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall discontinue mailing absentee ballots to an elector under this subsection upon receipt of reliable information that the elector no longer qualifies for the service as an elector of the municipality. In addition, the municipal clerk shall discontinue mailing absentee ballots to an elector under this subsection if the elector fails to return any absentee ballot mailed to the elector. The municipal clerk shall notify the elector of any such action not taken at the elector's request within 5 days, if possible. An elector who fails to cast an absentee ballot but who remains qualified to receive absentee ballots under this subsection may then receive absentee ballots for subsequent elections by notifying the municipal clerk that the elector wishes to continue receiving absentee ballots for subsequent elections.

AB161,20,24 (b) If a municipal clerk is notified by an elector that the elector's residence is changed to another municipality within this state, the municipal clerk shall forward the request to the municipal clerk of that municipality and that municipal clerk shall honor the request, except as provided in this subsection.

AB161, s. 34 Section 34. 6.865 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,21,1 6.865 (title) Federal absentee ballot requests ballots.

AB161, s. 35 Section 35. 6.865 (3) of the statutes is repealed.

AB161, s. 36 Section 36. 6.865 (3m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,21,16 6.865 (3m) (a) Except as provided in par. (c), if any elector who certifies If an individual who will be a military elector on election day applies for an absentee ballot, the individual may certify that he or she will be a military elector on election day requests an absentee ballot, the municipal clerk shall send or transmit to the elector an absentee ballot for all elections that occur in the municipality or portion thereof where the elector resides beginning on the date that the clerk receives the request and ending on the day after the 3rd successive general election that follows receipt of the request, unless the elector otherwise requests. In addition, the municipal clerk shall continue to send or transmit to the elector an absentee ballot for all elections ending on the day after the 3rd successive general election that follows any election at which the elector returns an absentee ballot under this section or renews his or her request under par. (c) and the municipal clerk shall treat the ballot as provided under s. 6.221.

AB161, s. 37 Section 37. 6.865 (3m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,21,23 6.865 (3m) (b) A military elector may indicate an alternate address on his or her absentee ballot application. If the elector's ballot is returned as undeliverable prior to the deadline for receipt and return of absentee ballots under sub. (3) s. 6.87 (6) and the elector remains eligible to receive absentee ballots under this subsection, the municipal clerk shall immediately send or transmit an absentee ballot to the elector at the alternate address.

AB161, s. 38 Section 38. 6.865 (3m) (c) of the statutes is repealed.

AB161, s. 39 Section 39. 6.869 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,22,9 6.869 Uniform instructions. The board shall prescribe uniform instructions for municipalities to provide to absentee voters. electors. The instructions shall include the specific means of electronic communication that an absentee elector may use to file an application for an absentee ballot and, if the absentee elector is required to register, to request a registration form or change his or her registration. The instructions also 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.

AB161, s. 40 Section 40. 6.87 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,23,6 6.87 (3) (d) A municipal clerk may shall, 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 s. 6.86 (1). If the clerk transmits an absentee ballot under this paragraph to an absent elector electronically, 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 affix sufficient postage unless the absentee ballot qualifies for mailing free of postage under federal free postage laws and shall mail the absentee ballot to the municipal clerk. Except as authorized in s. 6.97 (2), an absentee ballot received under this paragraph from an elector who receives the ballot electronically shall not be counted unless it is cast in the manner prescribed in this paragraph and sub. (4) and in accordance with the instructions provided by the board.

AB161, s. 41 Section 41. 6.87 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,23,14 6.87 (6) Except as provided in s. 6.221 (3), the ballot shall be returned so it is received by the municipal clerk no later than 8 p.m. on election day. Except in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, if the municipal clerk receives an absentee ballot on election day, the clerk shall secure the ballot and cause the ballot to be delivered to the polling place serving the elector's residence before the closing hour. Except as provided in s. 6.221 (3), the any ballot not mailed or delivered as provided in this subsection may not be counted.

AB161, s. 42 Section 42. 7.08 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,23,20 7.08 (2) (b) The certified list of candidates for president and vice president nominated at a national convention by a party entitled to a September partisan primary ballot or for whom electors have been nominated under s. 8.20 shall be sent as soon as possible after the closing date for filing nomination papers, but no later than the deadlines established in s. 10.06.

AB161, s. 43 Section 43. 7.08 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,24,4 7.08 (2) (c) As soon as possible after the canvass of the spring and September partisan primary votes, but no later than the first Tuesday in March and the 4th Tuesday in September August, transmit to the state treasurer a certified list of all eligible candidates for state office who have filed applications under s. 11.50 (2) and whom the board determines to be eligible to receive payments from the Wisconsin election campaign fund. The list shall contain each candidate's name, the mailing address indicated upon the candidate's registration form, the office for which the individual is a candidate and the party or principle which he or she represents, if any.

AB161, s. 44 Section 44. 7.10 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,24,13 7.10 (3) (a) The county clerk shall distribute the ballots to the municipal clerks no later than 31 days before each September partisan primary and general election and no later than 22 days before each other primary and election. Election forms prepared by the board shall be distributed at the same time. If the board transmits an amended certification under s. 7.08 (2) (a) or if the board or a court orders a ballot error to be corrected under s. 5.06 (6) or 5.72 (3) after ballots have been distributed, the county clerk shall distribute corrected ballots to the municipal clerks as soon as possible.

AB161, s. 45 Section 45. 7.15 (1) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,24,20 7.15 (1) (cm) Prepare official absentee ballots for delivery to electors requesting them, and send an official absentee ballot to each elector who has requested one no later than the 30th day before each September partisan 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 send an official absentee ballot within one day of the time the elector's request is received.

AB161, s. 46 Section 46. 7.15 (1) (j) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,24,24 7.15 (1) (j) Send an absentee ballot automatically to each person making an authorized request therefor in accordance with s. 6.22 (4), 6.24 (4) (c), or 6.86 (2) or (2m).

AB161, s. 47 Section 47. 7.60 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,25,19 7.60 (5) (a) Immediately following the canvass, the county clerk shall deliver or send to the government accountability board, by 1st class mail, a certified copy of each statement of the county board of canvassers for president and vice president, state officials, senators and representatives in congress, state legislators, justice, court of appeals judge, circuit judge, district attorney, and metropolitan sewerage commissioners, if the commissioners are elected under s. 200.09 (11) (am). The statement shall record the returns for each office or referendum by ward, unless combined returns are authorized under s. 5.15 (6) (b) in which case the statement shall record the returns for each group of combined wards. Following primaries the county clerk shall enclose on forms prescribed by the government accountability board the names, party or principle designation, if any, and number of votes received by each candidate recorded in the same manner. The county clerk shall deliver or transmit the certified statement to the government accountability board no later than 7 days after each primary except the September partisan primary, no later than 10 days after the September partisan primary and any other election except the general election, and no later than 14 days after the general election. The board of canvassers shall deliver or transmit a certified copy of each statement for any technical college district referendum to the secretary of the technical college district board.

AB161, s. 48 Section 48. 7.70 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,26,2 7.70 (3) (a) The chairperson of the board or a designee of the chairperson appointed by the chairperson to canvass a specific election shall publicly canvass the returns and make his or her certifications and determinations on or before the 2nd Tuesday following a spring primary, the 15th day of May following a spring election, the 3rd Wednesday following a September partisan primary, the first day of December following a general election, the 2nd Thursday following a special primary, or within 18 days after any special election.

AB161, s. 49 Section 49. 7.70 (3) (e) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,26,9 7.70 (3) (e) 1. After each September partisan primary, the name of each candidate not defeated in the primary who receives at least 6% of the total vote cast for all candidates on all ballots at the primary for each separate state office except district attorney, and the percentage of the total vote received by that candidate. Such percentage shall be calculated within each district in the case of legislative candidates.

AB161, s. 50 Section 50. 8.10 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,26,15 8.10 (1) Candidates for office to be filled at the spring election shall be nominated by nomination papers, or by nomination papers and selection at the primary if a primary is held, except as provided for towns and villages under s. 8.05. Unless designated in this section or s. 8.05, the general provisions pertaining to nomination at the September partisan primary apply.

AB161, s. 51 Section 51. 8.15 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,26,17 8.15 (title) Nominations for September partisan primary.

AB161, s. 52 Section 52. 8.15 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB161,27,10 8.15 (1) Nomination papers may be circulated no sooner than June May 1 preceding the general election and may be filed no later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of July June preceding the September partisan primary, except as authorized in this subsection. If an incumbent fails to file nomination papers and a declaration of candidacy by 5 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of July June preceding the September partisan primary, all candidates for the office held by the incumbent, other than the incumbent, may file nomination papers no later than 72 hours after the latest time prescribed in this subsection. No extension of the time for filing nomination papers applies if the incumbent files written notification with the filing officer or agency with whom nomination papers are filed for the office which the incumbent holds, no later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd Friday preceding the latest time prescribed in this subsection for filing nomination papers, that the incumbent is not a candidate for reelection to his or her office, and the incumbent does not file nomination papers for that office within the time prescribed in this subsection. Only those candidates for whom nomination papers containing the necessary signatures acquired within the allotted time and filed before the deadline may have their names appear on the official September partisan primary ballot.

AB161, s. 53 Section 53. 8.16 (1) of the statutes is amended to read: