Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,
the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a
report.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be
printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB548,1 1Section 1 . 5.05 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB548,5,102 5.05 (1) (e) Issue an order under s. 5.06, exempt a polling place from
3accessibility requirements under s. 5.25 (4) (a), permit a municipality to provide
4notices required at polling places by alternative means under s. 5.35 (6) (d),
exempt
5a municipality from the requirement to use voting machines or an electronic voting
6system under s. 5.40 (5m), approve an electronic data recording system for
7maintaining poll lists under s. 6.79, or authorize nonappointment of an individual
8who is nominated to serve as an election official under s. 7.30 (4) (e), or review and
9investigate complaints received under s. 12.17 (4) and order corrective measures
10under s. 12.17 (5) (a)
.
SB548,2 11Section 2 . 5.056 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB548,6,3 125.056 Matching program with secretary of transportation. The
13commission administrator shall enter into the agreement with the secretary of
14transportation specified under s. 85.61 (1) to match personally identifiable
15information on the official registration list maintained by the commission under s.
166.36 (1) and the information specified in s. ss. 6.256 (2) and 6.34 (2m) with personally
17identifiable information maintained by the department of transportation. Subject

1to s. 343.14 (2p) (b), the agreement shall provide for the electronic transfer of
2information under s. 6.256 (2) to the commission on a continuous basis, no less often
3than monthly.
SB548,3 4Section 3 . 5.06 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB548,6,135 5.06 (2) No Except as authorized in ss. 5.07 (2) and 12.17 (3), no person who
6is authorized to file a complaint under sub. (1), other than the attorney general or
7a district attorney, may commence an action or proceeding to test the validity of any
8decision, action or failure to act on the part of any election official with respect to any
9matter specified in sub. (1) without first filing a complaint under sub. (1), nor prior
10to disposition of the complaint by the commission. A complaint is deemed disposed
11of if the commission fails to transmit an acknowledgment of receipt of the complaint
12within 5 business days from the date of its receipt or if the commission concludes its
13investigation without a formal decision.
SB548,4 14Section 4 . 5.07 of the statutes is renumbered 5.07 (1).
SB548,5 15Section 5 . 5.07 (2) of the statutes is created to read:
SB548,6,2216 5.07 (2) Whenever a violation of s. 5.25 (4) (b), 5.35 (6) (a) 4c., 7.08 (3), 12.09,
17or 12.19 occurs or is proposed to occur, any elector of this state may sue for injunctive
18relief, a writ of mandamus or prohibition, or such other legal or equitable relief as
19may be appropriate to compel compliance with the law. The action shall be filed in
20circuit court for the county where the violation occurs or is proposed to occur. In such
21actions, the court shall award costs and reasonable actual attorney fees to the
22plaintiff if the plaintiff prevails in the action.
SB548,6 23Section 6 . 5.25 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB548,7,324 5.25 (4) (b) In any jurisdiction that is subject to the requirement under 42 USC
251973aa-1a
to provide voting materials in any a language other than English, the

1commission shall, for each such language, ensure that the notices specified in s. 5.35
2(6) are given in that language and
the voting system used at each polling place in that
3jurisdiction is in compliance with 42 USC 1973aa-1a.
SB548,7 4Section 7 . 5.25 (4) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
SB548,7,125 5.25 (4) (c) In any jurisdiction that is subject to the requirement under 42 USC
61973aa-1a
to provide voting materials in a language other than English, the
7municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall, for each such language,
8contact and coordinate with organizations that advocate for the rights of individuals
9who speak that language to ensure that each polling place in the jurisdiction
10adequately serves the needs of those individuals and shall endeavor to ensure that
11at least one of the election officials who serves at each polling place in the jurisdiction
12speaks that language.
SB548,8 13Section 8 . 5.35 (6) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB548,7,1714 5.35 (6) (a) (intro.) At Except as authorized under par. (d), at each polling place
15in the state, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall post the
16following materials, positioned so that they the materials may be readily observed
17by electors entering the polling place or waiting in line to vote:
SB548,9 18Section 9 . 5.35 (6) (a) 4c. of the statutes is created to read:
SB548,7,1919 5.35 (6) (a) 4c. A voter bill of rights in substantially the following form:
SB548,7,20 20Voter Bill of Rights
SB548,7,21 21You have the following rights:
SB548,8,2 22 The right to vote if you are registered and eligible to vote. You are
23eligible to vote if you (1) are a U.S. citizen, (2) are at least 18 years old, (3) are
24registered where you currently live, (4) are not currently serving any portion of a
25felony sentence, including probation or supervision, (5) are not currently found

1mentally incompetent to vote by a court, and (6) have not placed a bet or a wager on
2the outcome of the election.
SB548,8,3 3 The right to inspect a sample ballot before voting.
SB548,8,6 4 The right to cast a ballot if you are in line when your polling place
5closes
or when your municipal clerk's office closes if you are voting by in-person
6absentee ballot on the last day for which such voting is allowed.
SB548,8,8 7 The right to cast a secret ballot, without anyone bothering you or telling
8you how to vote.
SB548,8,10 9 If you have a disability, the right to get help casting your ballot from
10anyone you choose, except from your employer or union representative.
SB548,8,12 11 The right to get help voting in a language other than English if enough
12voters where you live speak your language.
SB548,8,14 13 The right to get a new ballot if you made a mistake. You can get up to
143 ballots in all if you make a mistake and have not already cast your ballot.
SB548,8,20 15 The right to cast a provisional ballot. You can cast a provisional ballot
16if you are unable or unwilling to provide required proof of identification for voting or
17a valid driver license or identification card number for registering to vote on election
18day. Your provisional ballot will not be counted unless you provide the required
19information to the poll workers by 8:00 p.m. on election day or to the municipal clerk
20by 4:00 p.m. of the Friday following the election.
SB548,8,21 21 The right to have your ballot counted accurately.
SB548,8,23 22 The right to vote free from coercion or intimidation by any election
23official or other person.
SB548,8,25 24 The right to report any illegal or fraudulent election activity to an
25elections official or the State of Wisconsin Elections Commission.
SB548,10
1Section 10. 5.35 (6) (a) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB548,9,32 5.35 (6) (a) 5. Any other voting information directed to be posted by the
3commission to be posted or to be noticed under par. (d).
SB548,11 4Section 11 . 5.35 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB548,9,145 5.35 (6) (b) At Except as authorized under par. (d), at each polling place in the
6state where a consolidated ballot under s. 5.655 is used or an electronic voting system
7is utilized at a partisan primary election incorporating a ballot upon which electors
8may mark votes for candidates of more than one recognized political party, the
9municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall prominently post a sign in
10the form prescribed by the commission warning electors in substance that on any
11ballot with votes cast for candidates of more than one recognized political party, no
12votes cast for any candidates for partisan office will be counted unless a preference
13for a party is made. If the elector designates a preference, only votes cast for
14candidates of that preference will be counted.
SB548,12 15Section 12 . 5.35 (6) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB548,9,2116 5.35 (6) (c) At Except as authorized under par. (d), at each polling place located
17in a municipality that is served by more than one polling place for an election, the
18municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall prominently post a map of
19the geographic area served by the polling place for that election. The posting shall
20clearly show the boundaries of the ward or wards served by the polling place for that
21election.
SB548,13 22Section 13 . 5.35 (6) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
SB548,9,2523 5.35 (6) (d) As an alternative to any posting requirement under this subsection,
24the commission may authorize another means of providing notice to affected electors
25of the information specified in this subsection if the commission determines that the

1alternative means of providing the information is at least as effective as posting. Any
2authorization under this paragraph shall be in writing and shall specify the
3particular alternative means of notification that may be used.
SB548,14 4Section 14 . 6.256 of the statutes is created to read:
SB548,10,10 56.256 Commission shall facilitate registration of electors. (1) Except as
6provided for individuals specified in sub. (8) and as otherwise expressly provided, the
7commission shall use all feasible means to facilitate the registration of all eligible
8electors of this state who are subject to a registration requirement and the
9maintenance of the registration of all eligible electors for so long as an elector
10remains eligible.
SB548,10,14 11(2) Subject to s. 343.14 (2p) (b), for the purpose of carrying out its functions
12under sub. (1), the commission shall obtain the following information from the
13department of transportation, to the extent that the department has the
14information:
SB548,10,1815 (a) The full name of each individual who holds a current operator's license
16issued to the individual under ch. 343 or a current identification card issued to the
17individual under s. 343.50, together with the following information pertaining to
18that individual:
SB548,10,2019 1. The current address of the individual together with any address history and
20any name history maintained by the department of transportation.
SB548,10,2121 2. The date of birth of the individual.
SB548,10,2222 3. The number of the license or identification card issued to the individual.
SB548,11,223 4. A copy of the document that the applicant provided as proof of citizenship
24and a statement from the department of transportation indicating that the
25department verified the applicant's citizenship. For purposes of this subdivision, the

1applicant shall provide a document that meets the requirements under 42 USC
21320b-7
(d).
SB548,11,53 (b) For each item of information specified in this subsection, the most recent
4date that the item of information was provided to or obtained by the department of
5transportation.
SB548,11,14 6(3) The commission shall compare the information obtained under sub. (2) with
7the information in the registration list under s. 6.36 (1) (a). If the commission finds
8discrepancies between the information obtained under sub. (2) regarding an elector
9and the information in the registration list under s. 6.36 (1) (a) regarding that same
10elector, the commission shall contact the elector by mail or telephone or in person to
11resolve the discrepancies. If the commission is able to resolve the discrepancies after
12contacting the elector, the commission shall update the information on the
13registration list. If the commission is unable to contact the elector, the commission
14shall resolve any discrepancies in favor of the information in the registration list.
SB548,12,2 15(4) Except as provided in this subsection and sub. (8), if the commission
16concludes that an individual appears eligible to vote in this state but is not
17registered, and the commission has obtained from reliable sources all the
18information required under s. 6.33 (1) to complete the individual's registration, the
19commission shall enter the individual's name on the registration list. If the
20commission has not obtained from reliable sources all the information pertaining to
21an individual that is required under s. 6.33 (1), the commission shall attempt to
22obtain from reliable sources the necessary information under s. 6.33 (1) that is
23required to complete the individual's registration. If an elector's status has been
24changed from eligible to ineligible under s. 6.50 (2) or (2g) and the elector's eligibility,
25name, or residence has not changed, the commission may not change the individual's

1name to eligible status unless the commission first verifies that the individual is
2eligible and wishes to change his or her status to eligible.
SB548,12,5 3(5) The commission shall attempt to contact an individual described in sub. (4)
4if necessary to obtain all the information specified in s. 6.33 (1) pertaining to the
5individual that is required to complete the individual's registration.
SB548,12,8 6(6) If the commission is able to obtain all the required information specified in
7s. 6.33 (1) pertaining to an individual, the commission shall enter the name of the
8individual on the registration list maintained under s. 6.36 (1) (a).
SB548,12,13 9(7) The commission shall mail a notice to each individual whose name the
10commission enters under sub. (6) on the registration list maintained under s. 6.36
11(1) (a). The notice shall be printed in English, Spanish, and other languages spoken
12by a significant number of state residents, as determined by the commission, and
13shall include all of the following:
SB548,12,1614 (a) A statement informing the individual that his or her name has been entered
15on the registration list and showing the current address for the individual based on
16the commission's records.
SB548,12,1817 (b) A statement informing the individual that he or she may request to have
18his or her name deleted from the registration list and instructions for doing so.
SB548,12,1919 (c) Instructions for notifying the commission of a change in name or address.
SB548,12,2120 (d) Instructions for obtaining a confidential listing under s. 6.47 (2) and a
21description of how an individual qualifies for a confidential listing.
SB548,13,8 22(8) Any individual may file a request with the commission to exclude his or her
23name from the registration list maintained under s. 6.36 (1) (a). Any individual
24whose name is added to the registration list by the commission may file a request
25with the commission or a municipal clerk to have his or her name deleted from the

1list. A request for exclusion or deletion shall be filed in the manner prescribed by the
2commission. An individual who files an exclusion or deletion request under this
3subsection may revoke his or her request by the same means that an individual may
4request an exclusion or deletion. The commission shall ensure that the name of any
5individual who has filed an exclusion or deletion request under this subsection is
6excluded from the registration list or, if the individual's name appears on the list, is
7removed from the registration list and is not added to the list at any subsequent time
8unless the individual files a revocation of his or her request under this subsection.
SB548,13,16 9(9) If the commission removes from the registration list the name of an elector
10who does not request that his or her name be deleted, other than to correct an entry
11that the commission positively determines to be a duplication or to change the name
12of an individual who is verified to be deceased to ineligible status, the commission
13shall mail to the individual a notice of the removal or change in status by 1st class
14postcard to the individual's last-known address. The notice shall provide that the
15individual may apply to have his or her status changed to eligible if he or she is a
16qualified elector.
SB548,13,19 17(10) The commission shall attempt to facilitate the initial registration of all
18eligible electors, except as otherwise provided in this section, no later than July 1,
192025.
SB548,13,23 20(11) The commission shall maintain the confidentiality of all information
21obtained from the department of transportation under sub. (2) and may use this
22information only for the purpose of carrying out its functions under sub. (1) and s.
236.34 (2m) and in accordance with the agreement under s. 85.61 (1).
SB548,15 24Section 15 . 6.29 (2) (e) of the statutes is created to read:
SB548,14,4
16.29 (2) (e) The municipal clerk or clerk's agent shall promptly add the name
2of a qualified elector who registers and votes under this section to the registration
3list. The clerk or clerk's agent shall add the name of a qualified elector who votes at
4the elector's polling place in the manner prescribed in s. 6.33 (5) (a).
SB548,16 5Section 16 . 6.33 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB548,14,166 6.33 (2) (a) All information may be recorded by any person, except that the clerk
7shall record the ward and aldermanic district, if any, other geographic information
8under sub. (1), the indication of whether the registration is received by mail, and the
9type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence under s.
106.34 or the indication of verification of information in lieu of proof of residence under
11s. 6.34 (2m)
. Except as provided in s. 6.30 (5), each elector shall sign his or her own
12name unless the elector is unable to sign his or her name due to physical disability.
13In such case, the elector may authorize another elector to sign the form on his or her
14behalf. If the elector so authorizes, the elector signing the form shall attest to a
15statement that the application is made upon request and by authorization of a named
16elector who is unable to sign the form due to physical disability.
SB548,17 17Section 17 . 6.35 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB548,14,2218 6.35 (3) Original Except for electronic registrations, original registration forms
19shall be maintained in the office of the municipal clerk or board of election
20commissioners at all times. The commission shall maintain electronic registration
21forms and make such forms available for inspection by the municipal clerk, the
22clerk's designated agent, or the board of election commissioners.
SB548,18 23Section 18 . 6.86 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB548,16,224 6.86 (1) (b) Except as provided in this section, if application is made by mail,
25the application shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on the 5th day immediately

1preceding the election. If application is made in person, the application shall be
2made no earlier than 14 days preceding the election and no later than the Sunday
3preceding the election. No application may be received on a legal holiday. A
4municipality shall specify the hours in the notice under s. 10.01 (2) (e). The
5municipal clerk or an election official shall witness the certificate for any in-person
6absentee ballot cast. Any elector waiting to cast an in-person absentee ballot at the
7time the municipal clerk's office officially closes on the last day for which such ballots
8may be cast, whether the elector is waiting within or in the line outside the municipal
9clerk's office, shall be permitted to cast his or her in-person absentee ballot.
Except
10as provided in par. (c), if the elector is making written application for an absentee
11ballot at the partisan primary, the general election, the presidential preference
12primary, or a special election for national office, and the application indicates that
13the elector is a military elector, as defined in s. 6.34 (1), the application shall be
14received by the municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on election day. If the application
15indicates that the reason for requesting an absentee ballot is that the elector is a
16sequestered juror, the application shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on election
17day. If the application is received after 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding
18the election, the municipal clerk or the clerk's agent shall immediately take the ballot
19to the court in which the elector is serving as a juror and deposit it with the judge.
20The judge shall recess court, as soon as convenient, and give the elector the ballot.
21The judge shall then witness the voting procedure as provided in s. 6.87 and shall
22deliver the ballot to the clerk or agent of the clerk who shall deliver it to the polling
23place or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, to the
24municipal clerk as required in s. 6.88. If application is made under sub. (2) or (2m),

1the application may be received no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately
2preceding the election.
SB548,19 3Section 19 . 6.86 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB548,16,234 6.86 (3) (c) An application under par. (a) 1. may be made and a registration form
5under par. (a) 2. may be filed in person at the office of the municipal clerk not earlier
6than 7 days before an election and not later than 5 p.m. on the day of the election.
7A list of hospitalized electors applying for ballots under par. (a) 1. shall be made by
8the municipal clerk and used to check that the electors vote only once, and by
9absentee ballot. If Except as provided in s. 6.34 (2m), if the elector is registering for
10the election after the close of registration or if the elector registered by mail and has
11not voted in an election in this state, the municipal clerk shall inform the agent that
12proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required and the elector shall enclose proof of
13residence under s. 6.34 in the envelope with the ballot. The clerk shall verify that
14the name on any required proof of identification presented by the agent conforms to
15the name on the elector's application. The clerk shall then enter his or her initials
16on the carrier envelope indicating that the agent presented proof of identification to
17the clerk. The agent is not required to enter a signature on the registration list. The
18ballot shall be sealed by the elector and returned to the municipal clerk either by mail
19or by personal delivery of the agent; but if the ballot is returned on the day of the
20election, the agent shall make personal delivery to the polling place serving the
21hospitalized elector's residence before the closing hour or, in municipalities where
22absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, to the municipal clerk no later than 8
23p.m. on election day.
SB548,20 24Section 20 . 7.08 (3) (d) to (g) of the statutes are created to read:
SB548,16,2525 7.08 (3) (d) Be written in clear, unambiguous language.
SB548,17,1
1(e) Be indexed by subject.
SB548,17,32 (f) Contain specific examples of common problems encountered at polling
3places on election day and detailed, specific procedures for resolving those problems.
SB548,17,44 (g) Include an explanation of all of the following:
SB548,17,65 1. Laws and rules governing solicitation by individuals and groups at a polling
6place.
SB548,17,87 2. Procedures to be followed with respect to electors whose names do not appear
8on the registration list under s. 6.36 (1) (a).
SB548,17,109 3. Procedures to be followed with respect to electors attempting to vote on
10election day who have cast an absentee ballot in the election.
SB548,17,1211 4. Procedures for assisting voters who need help due to language barriers or
12disabilities.
SB548,17,1313 5. Proper operation of any electronic voting system used at a polling place.
SB548,17,1414 6. Procedures for handling ballots.
SB548,17,1515 7. Procedures governing spoiled ballots.
SB548,17,1616 8. Procedures to be followed after a polling place closes.
SB548,17,1717 9. Rights of electors at the polls.
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