LRB-0471/1
TKK:sac:ph
2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE
August 21, 2013 - Introduced by Senators Lazich, Leibham, Vukmir, Darling and
Grothman, cosponsored by Representatives Bernier, Strachota, Sanfelippo,
Tittl, Knodl and Pridemore. Referred to Elections and Urban Affairs.
SB267,1,4 1An Act to amend 6.15 (2) (bm), 6.29 (2) (b), 6.36 (1) (a), 6.36 (2) (a), 6.36 (2) (c),
26.55 (2) (b), 6.55 (2) (c) 1., 6.79 (2) (d), 6.82 (1) (a) and 6.88 (3) (a) of the statutes;
3relating to: recording the type of identifying document provided by an elector
4as proof of residence.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
With limited exceptions, current law requires each person who is an eligible
elector and who wishes to vote in this state to first register. In certain circumstances,
an eligible elector must submit proof of residence with his or her registration form
or prior to being permitted to vote. For example, a person who registers to vote on
election day must present proof of residence at the polls. In addition, a person who
registers in the clerk's office of his or her municipality within 20 days of an election
must submit proof of residence in order to obtain registration. Finally, a person who
is a first-time registrant in this state and who submits a registration form by mail
must include proof of residence with that registration form. Current law specifies
the types of identifying documents that qualify as proof of residence; these
documents must contain the registrant's name and current address and include a
real estate tax bill, a utility bill for the period commencing no earlier than 90 days
before election day, a bank statement, and a current and valid Wisconsin driver
license or identification card.
This bill requires the municipal clerk, clerk's agent, and other individuals
authorized to accept receipt of a registration form from an elector to enter on the
registration form or poll list, and in some cases both the registration form and poll

list, the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence
when proof of residence is required of the elector.
Under current law, the Government Accountability Board (board) must compile
and maintain an official registration list. The registration list must contain specific
information about each registered elector in the state, including the elector's name,
address, date of birth, and an indication of how the elector's registration form was
received. This bill requires the board to include on the official registration list an
indication of whether an elector was required to provide proof of residence and, if so,
the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB267,1 1Section 1. 6.15 (2) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB267,2,102 6.15 (2) (bm) Except as authorized in s. 6.79 (7), when making application in
3person at the office of the municipal clerk, each applicant shall present proof of
4identification. If any document presented by the applicant is not proof of residence
5under s. 6.34, the applicant shall also present proof of residence under s. 6.34. The
6clerk shall verify that the name on the proof of identification presented by the elector
7conforms to the name on the elector's application and , shall verify that any
8photograph appearing on that document reasonably resembles the elector , and shall
9enter the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence
10on the application form
.
SB267,2 11Section 2. 6.29 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB267,3,212 6.29 (2) (b) Upon the filing of the registration form required by this section, the
13municipal clerk or clerk's agent under s. 6.33 (5) (b) shall enter the type of identifying
14document submitted by the elector as proof of residence on the registration form and
15issue a certificate containing the name and address of the elector addressed to the
16inspectors of the proper ward or election district directing that the elector be
17permitted to cast his or her vote if the elector complies with all requirements for

1voting at the polling place. The certificate shall be numbered serially, prepared in
2duplicate and one copy preserved in the office of the municipal clerk.
SB267,3 3Section 3. 6.36 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB267,3,204 6.36 (1) (a) The board shall compile and maintain electronically an official
5registration list. The list shall contain the name and address of each registered
6elector in the state, the date of birth of the elector, the ward and aldermanic district
7of the elector, if any, and, for each elector, a unique registration identification number
8assigned by the board, the number of a valid operator's license issued to the elector
9under ch. 343, if any, or the last 4 digits of the elector's social security account
10number, if any, any identification serial number issued to the elector under s. 6.47
11(3), the date of any election in which the elector votes, an indication of whether the
12elector is an overseas elector, as defined in s. 6.24 (1), any information relating to the
13elector that appears on the current list transmitted to the board by the department
14of corrections under s. 301.03 (20m), an indication of any accommodation required
15under s. 5.25 (4) (a) to permit voting by the elector, an indication of the method by
16which the elector's registration form was received, an indication of whether the
17elector was required under s. 6.34 to provide proof of residence and, if so, the type of
18identifying document submitted as proof of residence,
and such other information as
19may be determined by the board to facilitate administration of elector registration
20requirements.
SB267,4 21Section 4. 6.36 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB267,4,1322 6.36 (2) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), each registration list prepared for use
23as a poll list at a polling place or for purposes of canvassing absentee ballots at an
24election shall contain the full name and address of each registered elector; a blank
25column for the entry of the serial number of the electors when they vote or the poll

1list number used by the municipal board of absentee ballot canvassers in canvassing
2absentee ballots; an indication next to the name of each elector for whom proof of
3residence under s. 6.34 is required; a space for entry of the type of identifying
4document submitted by the elector as proof of residence when proof of residence
5under s. 6.34 is required;
a space for entry of the elector's signature, or if another
6person signed the elector's registration form for the elector by reason of the elector's
7physical disability, the word "exempt"; and a form of certificate bearing the
8certification of the administrator of the elections division of the board stating that
9the list is a true and complete registration list of the municipality or the ward or
10wards for which the list is prepared. The board shall, by rule, prescribe the space and
11location for entry of each elector's signature on the poll list which shall provide for
12entry of the signature without changing the orientation of the poll list from the
13orientation used by the election officials.
SB267,5 14Section 5. 6.36 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB267,4,2015 6.36 (2) (c) The list shall contain, next to the name of each elector, an indication
16of whether proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required for the elector to be permitted
17to vote. If proof of residence is provided, the type of identifying document submitted
18by the elector shall be entered on the list in the space provided.
Proof of residence
19is required if the elector is not a military elector or an overseas elector and the elector
20registers by mail and has not previously voted in an election in this state.
SB267,6 21Section 6. 6.55 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB267,5,622 6.55 (2) (b) Upon executing the registration form under par. (a), the elector
23shall provide proof of residence under s. 6.34. The signing by the elector executing
24the registration form shall be in the presence of the special registration deputy or
25inspector who. Upon receipt of the registration form, the deputy or inspector shall

1enter the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence
2in the space provided on the form. The deputy or inspector
shall then print his or her
3name on and sign the form, indicating that the deputy or inspector has accepted the
4form. Upon compliance with this procedure, the elector shall be permitted to cast his
5or her vote, if the elector complies with all other requirements for voting at the polling
6place.
SB267,7 7Section 7. 6.55 (2) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB267,6,38 6.55 (2) (c) 1. As an alternative to registration at the polling place under pars.
9(a) and (b), the board of election commissioners, or the governing body of any
10municipality, may by resolution require a person who qualifies as an elector and who
11is not registered and desires to register on the day of an election to do so at another
12readily accessible location in the same building as the polling place serving the
13elector's residence or at an alternate polling place assigned under s. 5.25 (5) (b),
14instead of at the polling place serving the elector's residence. In such case, the
15municipal clerk shall prominently post a notice of the registration location at the
16polling place. An eligible elector who desires to register shall execute a registration
17form as prescribed under par. (a) and provide proof of residence as provided under
18s. 6.34. The signing by the person executing the registration form shall be in the
19presence of the municipal clerk, deputy clerk, or special registration deputy. Upon
20receipt of the registration form, the municipal clerk, deputy clerk, or special
21registration deputy shall enter the type of identifying document submitted by the
22elector as proof of residence in the space provided on the form.
The municipal clerk,
23the deputy clerk, or the special registration deputy shall then print his or her name
24and sign the form, indicating that the clerk, deputy clerk, or deputy has accepted the
25form. Upon proper completion of registration, the municipal clerk, deputy clerk, or

1special registration deputy shall serially number the registration and give one copy
2to the person for presentation at the polling place serving the person's residence or
3an alternate polling place assigned under s. 5.25 (5) (b).
SB267,8 4Section 8. 6.79 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB267,6,155 6.79 (2) (d) If the poll list indicates that proof of residence under s. 6.34 is
6required and the document provided by the elector under par. (a) does not constitute
7proof of residence under s. 6.34, the officials shall require the elector to provide proof
8of residence. If proof of residence is provided, the officials shall enter the type of
9identifying document submitted as proof of residence in the space provided on the
10registration form and shall
verify that the name and address on the identification
11identifying document submitted as proof of residence provided is the same as the
12name and address shown on the registration list. If proof of residence is required and
13not provided, or if the elector does not present proof of identification under par. (a),
14whenever required, the officials shall offer the opportunity for the elector to vote
15under s. 6.97.
SB267,9 16Section 9. 6.82 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB267,7,1717 6.82 (1) (a) When any inspectors are informed that an eligible elector is at the
18entrance to the polling place who as a result of disability is unable to enter the polling
19place, they shall permit the elector to be assisted in marking a ballot by any
20individual selected by the elector, except the elector's employer or an agent of that
21employer or an officer or agent of a labor organization which represents the elector.
22Except as authorized in s. 6.79 (6) and (7), the individual selected by the elector shall
23present to the inspectors proof of identification and, if the proof of identification does
24not constitute proof of residence under s. 6.34, shall also provide proof of residence
25under s. 6.34 for the assisted elector, whenever required, and all other information

1necessary for the elector to obtain a ballot under s. 6.79 (2). The inspectors shall
2verify that the name on the proof of identification presented by the person assisting
3the elector conforms to the elector's name on the poll list or separate list and, shall
4verify that any photograph appearing on that document reasonably resembles the
5elector, and shall enter the type of identifying document submitted by the assisted
6elector as proof of residence in the space provided on the poll list or separate list
. The
7inspectors shall then issue a ballot to the individual selected by the elector and shall
8accompany the individual to the polling place entrance where the assistance is to be
9given. If the ballot is a paper ballot, the assisting individual shall fold the ballot after
10the ballot is marked by the assisting individual. The assisting individual shall then
11immediately take the ballot into the polling place and give the ballot to an inspector.
12The inspector shall distinctly announce that he or she has "a ballot offered by ....
13(stating person's name), an elector who, as a result of disability, is unable to enter the
14polling place without assistance". The inspector shall then ask, "Does anyone object
15to the reception of this ballot?" If no objection is made, the inspectors shall record
16the elector's name under s. 6.79 and deposit the ballot in the ballot box, and shall
17make a notation on the poll list: "Ballot received at poll entrance".
SB267,10 18Section 10. 6.88 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB267,8,1719 6.88 (3) (a) Except in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed
20under s. 7.52, at any time between the opening and closing of the polls on election day,
21the inspectors shall, in the same room where votes are being cast, in such a manner
22that members of the public can hear and see the procedures, open the carrier
23envelope only, and announce the name of the absent elector or the identification
24serial number of the absent elector if the elector has a confidential listing under s.
256.47 (2). When the inspectors find that the certification has been properly executed,

1the applicant is a qualified elector of the ward or election district, and the applicant
2has not voted in the election, they shall enter an indication on the poll list next to the
3applicant's name indicating an absentee ballot is cast by the elector. They shall then
4open the envelope containing the ballot in a manner so as not to deface or destroy the
5certification thereon. The inspectors shall take out the ballot without unfolding it
6or permitting it to be unfolded or examined. Unless the ballot is cast under s. 6.95,
7the inspectors shall verify that the ballot has been endorsed by the issuing clerk. If
8the poll list indicates that proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required and proof of
9residence is enclosed, the inspectors shall enter the type of identifying document
10submitted by the absent elector on the poll list in the space provided.
If the poll list
11indicates that proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required and no proof of residence
12is enclosed or the name or address on the document that is provided is not the same
13as the name and address shown on the poll list, the inspectors shall proceed as
14provided under s. 6.97 (2). The inspectors shall then deposit the ballot into the proper
15ballot box and enter the absent elector's name or voting number after his or her name
16on the poll list in the same manner as if the elector had been present and voted in
17person.
SB267,8,1818 (End)
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