LRB-3400/1
JK:jld:jf
2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE
October 14, 2013 - Introduced by Representatives Bernier, Berceau, Murphy,
Pridemore, Thiesfeldt, Weininger and Nerison. Referred to Committee on
Campaigns and Elections.
AB419,1,2
1An Act to repeal 7.50 (2) (e); and
to create 7.50 (2) (em) of the statutes;
relating
2to: counting votes for write-in candidates.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, generally, every vote at an election is counted for the
candidate for whom it was intended, if the elector's intent can be determined from
the ballot itself. Under this bill, generally, write-in votes are only counted if no
candidates have been certified to appear on the ballot. If a candidate has been
certified to appear on the ballot, write-in votes are only counted for candidates who
have filed registration statements. If a certified candidate dies or withdraws before
the election, all write-in votes are counted.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB419,1
3Section
1. 7.50 (2) (e) of the statutes is repealed.
AB419,2
4Section
2. 7.50 (2) (em) of the statutes is created to read:
AB419,2,55
7.50
(2) (em) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, write-in votes
6shall only be counted if no candidates have been certified to appear on the ballot. If
7candidates have been certified to appear on the ballot, write-in votes may only be
1counted for candidates who file registration statements under s. 11.05 (2g). If a
2candidate certified to appear on the ballot dies or withdraws before the election, all
3write-in votes shall be counted. When write-in votes are counted, every vote shall
4be counted for the candidate for whom it was intended, if the elector's intent can be
5ascertained from the ballot itself.
