5.05(1)(c) (c) Bring civil actions to require forfeitures for any violation of ch. 11 under s. 11.60. Forfeiture actions brought by the board may concern only violations with respect to reports or statements required by law to be filed with it, and other violations arising under elections for state office or statewide referenda. The board may compromise and settle any civil action or potential action brought or authorized to be brought by it under ch. 11 which, in the opinion of the board, constitutes a minor violation, a violation caused by excusable neglect, or which for other good cause shown, should not in the public interest be prosecuted under such chapter. Notwithstanding s. 778.06, an action or proposed action authorized under this paragraph may be settled for such sum as may be agreed between the parties. Any settlement made by the board shall be in such amount as to deprive the alleged violator of any benefit of his or her wrongdoing and may contain a penal component to serve as a deterrent to future violations. In settling actions or proposed actions, the board shall treat comparable situations in a comparable manner and shall assure that any settlement bears a reasonable relationship to the severity of the offense or alleged offense. Forfeiture actions brought by the board shall be brought in the circuit court for the county wherein the violation is alleged to occur.
5.05(1)(d) (d) Sue for injunctive relief, a writ of mandamus or prohibition, or other such legal or equitable relief as may be appropriate to enforce any law regulating the conduct of elections or election campaigns or ensure its proper administration. No bond is required in such actions. Actions shall be brought in circuit court for the county where a violation occurs or may occur.
5.05(1)(e) (e) Delegate to its executive director the authority to issue a subpoena under par. (b), apply for a search warrant under par. (b), commence an action under par. (d), intervene in an action or proceeding under sub. (9), issue an order under s. 5.06, exempt a polling place from accessibility requirements under s. 5.25 (4) (a), exempt a municipality from the requirement to use voting machines or an electronic voting system under s. 5.40 (5m) or authorize nonappointment of an individual who is nominated to serve as an election official under s. 7.30 (4) (e), subject to such limitations as the board deems appropriate.
5.05(1)(f) (f) Promulgate rules under ch. 227 applicable to all jurisdictions for the purpose of interpreting or implementing the laws regulating the conduct of elections or election campaigns or ensuring their proper administration.
5.05(2) (2)Auditing. In addition to the facial examination of reports and statements required under s. 11.21 (13), the board shall conduct an audit of reports and statements which are required to be filed with it to determine whether violations of ch. 11 have occurred. The board may examine records relating to matters required to be treated in such reports and statements. The board shall make official note in the file of a candidate, committee, group or individual under ch. 11 of any error or other discrepancy which the board discovers and shall inform the person submitting the report or statement.
5.05(3) (3)Investigations.
5.05(3)(a)(a) The board shall upon complaint by any person or on its own motion investigate violations of the elections laws and shall notify the district attorney of the proper county, the attorney general or the governor where appropriate under s. 11.60 (4) or 11.61 (2) of any facts within its knowledge or evidence in its possession which may be grounds for civil action or criminal prosecution.
5.05(3)(b) (b) In any case in which the board refers information relating to an apparent violation of this section, the district attorney, attorney general, or any special counsel appointed under s. 14.11 (2) shall respond by report to the board with respect to any action taken regarding such apparent violation. The report shall be transmitted no later than 40 days after the date of the referral. If the matter is not disposed of during such period, the board shall receive a further report at the close of every 30-day period until the time of final disposition.
5.05(3)(c) (c) No investigation is required of any petition or complaint which is not verified. The board may summarily dismiss any complaint which it finds to be without merit.
5.05(4) (4)Employes. All employes of the board shall be nonpartisan.
5.05(5) (5)Biennial report. Notwithstanding s. 15.04 (1) (d), the board shall file its biennial report required by that paragraph on or before June 30 of each odd-numbered year, covering the biennium ending on the previous December 31. The board may include any information compiled under s. 11.21 (7) in such report.
5.05(6) (6)Formal opinions. Any interested person may make written request to the board to issue a formal opinion with respect to the person's authority or responsibilities under chs. 5 to 12.The board shall within 15 days advise the person requesting an opinion whether or not a formal opinion will be issued. If a formal opinion will be issued, it shall be issued within 30 days of the request. No person acting in good faith upon a formal opinion issued to the person by the board shall be subject to civil or criminal prosecution for so acting, if the material facts are as stated in the opinion request. Nothing in this subsection requires the issuance of an opinion by the board, nor precludes it from issuing an opinion or ruling in any other manner.
5.05(7) (7)Administrative meetings and conferences. The board shall conduct regular information and training meetings at various locations in the state for county and municipal clerks and other election officials. Administrative meetings shall be designed to explain the election laws and the forms and rules of the board, to promote uniform procedures and to assure that clerks and other officials are made aware of the integrity and importance of the vote of each citizen. The board may conduct conferences relating to election laws, practice and procedure. The board may charge persons attending the administrative meetings and conferences for its costs incurred in conducting the meetings and conferences at a rate not exceeding the per capita cost incurred by the board.
5.05(9) (9)Standing. The board has standing to commence or intervene in an action or proceeding for the purpose of enforcing the laws regulating the conduct of elections or election campaigns or ensuring their proper administration. If the board delegates authority to the executive director under sub. (1) (e) to act in its stead, the executive director has standing to commence or intervene in such an action or proceeding.
5.05 Annotation Notification to district attorney, attorney general or governor is not prerequisite to civil forfeiture under (1) (c); notification pursuant to (3) is required only as specified by 11.60 (4) or 11.61 (2). State Elections Board v. Hales, 149 W (2d) 306, 440 NW (2d) 579 (Ct. App. 1989).
5.06 5.06 Compliance review; appeal.
5.06(1) (1) Whenever any elector of a jurisdiction or district served by an election official believes that a decision or action of the official or the failure of the official to act with respect to any matter concerning nominations, qualifications of candidates, voting qualifications, including residence, ward division and numbering, recall, ballot preparation, election administration or conduct of elections is contrary to law, or the official has abused the discretion vested in him or her by law with respect to any such matter, the elector may file a written sworn complaint with the board requesting that the official be required to conform his or her conduct to the law, be restrained from taking any action inconsistent with the law or be required to correct any action or decision inconsistent with the law or any abuse of the discretion vested in him or her by law. The complaint shall set forth such facts as are within the knowledge of the complainant to show probable cause to believe that a violation of law or abuse of discretion has occurred or will occur. The complaint may be accompanied by relevant supporting documents. The board may conduct a hearing on the matter in the manner prescribed for treatment of contested cases under ch. 227 if it believes such action to be appropriate.
5.06(2) (2) No person who is authorized to file a complaint under sub. (1), other than the attorney general or a district attorney, may commence an action or proceeding to test the validity of any decision, action or failure to act on the part of any election official with respect to any matter specified in sub. (1) without first filing a complaint under sub. (1), nor prior to disposition of the complaint by the board. A complaint is deemed disposed of if the board fails to transmit an acknowledgment of receipt of the complaint within 5 business days from the date of its receipt or if the board concludes its investigation without a formal decision.
5.06(3) (3) A complaint under this section shall be filed promptly so as not to prejudice the rights of any other party. In no case may a complaint relating to nominations, qualifications of candidates or ballot preparation be filed later than 10 days after the complainant knew or should have known that a violation of law or abuse of discretion occurred or was proposed to occur.
5.06(4) (4) The board may, on its own motion, investigate and determine whether any election official, with respect to any matter concerning nominations, qualifications of candidates, voting qualifications, including residence, ward division and numbering, recall, ballot preparation, election administration or conduct of elections, has failed to comply with the law or abused the discretion vested in him or her by law or proposes to do so.
5.06(5) (5) Upon receipt of a complaint under sub. (1), or upon its own motion, the board may order any election official to immediately transfer to its possession any original documents in the custody of the official which the board finds to be necessary and relevant to permit review of compliance with the laws concerning nominations, qualifications of candidates, ward division and numbering, recall or ballot preparation or the proper administration of such laws.
5.06(6) (6) The board may, after such investigation as it deems appropriate, summarily decide the matter before it and, by order, require any election official to conform his or her conduct to the law, restrain an official from taking any action inconsistent with the law or require an official to correct any action or decision inconsistent with the law. The board shall immediately transmit a copy of the order to the official. An order issued under this subsection is effective immediately or at such later time as may be specified in the order.
5.06(7) (7) The board may withdraw, modify or correct an order issued under sub. (6) within a timely period if it finds such action to be appropriate.
5.06(8) (8) Any election official or complainant who is aggrieved by an order issued under sub. (6) may appeal the decision of the board to circuit court for the county where the official conducts business or the complainant resides no later than 30 days after issuance of the order. Pendency of an appeal does not stay the effect of an order unless the court so orders.
5.06(9) (9) The court may not conduct a de novo proceeding with respect to any findings of fact or factual matters upon which the board has made a determination, or could have made a determination if the parties had properly presented the disputed matters to the board for its consideration. The court shall summarily hear and determine all contested issues of law and shall affirm, reverse or modify the determination of the board, according due weight to the experience, technical competence and specialized knowledge of the board, pursuant to the applicable standards for review of agency decisions under s. 227.57.
5.06(10) (10) This section does not apply to matters arising in connection with a recount under s. 9.01.
5.06 History History: 1983 a. 484; 1985 a. 182 s. 57; 1985 a. 304; 1989 a. 192.
5.06 Annotation Plaintiff's failure to comply with method of review prescribed by this section deprived circuit court of jurisdiction to hear plaintiff's original action regarding election irregularities. Kuechmann v. LaCrosse School District, 170 W (2d) 218, 487 NW (2d) 639 (Ct. App. 1992).
5.07 5.07 Action to compel compliance. Whenever a violation of the laws regulating the conduct of elections or election campaigns occurs or is proposed to occur, the attorney general or the district attorney of the county where the violation occurs or is proposed to occur may sue for injunctive relief, a writ of mandamus or prohibition, or other such legal or equitable relief as may be appropriate to compel compliance with the law. No bond is required in such actions.
5.07 History History: 1973 c. 334; 1983 a. 484 s. 136m; Stats. 1983 s. 5.07; 1985 a. 304.
5.08 5.08 Petition for enforcement. Any elector may file a verified petition alleging such facts as are within his or her knowledge to indicate that an election official has failed or is failing to comply with any law regulating the conduct of elections or election campaigns or proposes to act in a manner inconsistent with such a law, and requesting that an action be commenced for injunctive relief, a writ of mandamus or prohibition or other such legal or equitable relief as may be appropriate to compel compliance with the law. The petition shall be filed with the district attorney of the county where the violation or proposed action inconsistent with this chapter occurs or is proposed to occur. The district attorney may then commence the action or dismiss the petition. If the district attorney declines to act upon the petition or if the district attorney fails to act upon the petition within 15 days of the date of filing, the petitioner may file the same petition with the attorney general, who may then commence the action.
5.08 History History: 1983 a. 484.
5.081 5.081 Petition for enforcement of voting rights. The attorney general shall accept a verified petition from any person alleging failure to comply with section 2 of the federal voting rights act, 42 USC 1973 (a) and (b). The attorney general may commence an action or proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction on behalf of any elector of this state whose rights under 42 USC 1973 (a) and (b) are violated.
5.081 History History: 1985 a. 312.
5.081 Note NOTE: This section, created by 1985 Wis. Act 312, and s. 1 of that act, entitled "Legislative findings and intent", first apply to alteration of district boundaries made to reflect population changes identified in the 1990 federal decennial census.
5.085 5.085 Elections advisory council.
5.085(1) (1) The elections advisory council shall promote communication and cooperation between local election officials and the board and shall attempt to assure uniform, equitable and efficient procedures in the administration of the law, consistent with legislative purpose.
5.085(2) (2) The council shall recommend material to be covered in administrative meetings conducted by the board under s. 5.05 (7) and make suggestions for improvements in such meetings.
5.085(3) (3) Before directing the printing, publication or major revision of any form, manual or other publication, the board shall refer the matter to the council for comments and suggestions.
5.085(4) (4) The council shall recommend technical revisions and procedural improvements in the law and its administration for the consideration of the board. Any recommendations which require legislative action shall, upon approval by the board, be forwarded to the legislature for consideration.
5.085 History History: 1975 c. 85; 1977 c. 427; 1983 a. 484 s. 7s; Stats. 1983 s. 5.085; 1985 a. 304.
5.09 5.09 Certification of documents. Whenever the board is authorized or required to make a certification of any document in the custody of the board, and the authority to make the certification is lawfully delegated to the executive director, the executive director may, personally or through an employe authorized by the director, affix his or her signature by means of a stamp, machine impression, reproduction print or similar process. This section does not apply to certificates of election.
5.09 History History: 1977 c. 427; 1985 a. 304.
5.10 5.10 Presidential electors. Although the names of the electors do not appear on the ballot and no reference is made to them, a vote for the president and vice president named on the ballot is a vote for the electors of the candidates for whom an elector's vote is cast. Under chs. 5 to 12, all references to the presidential election, the casting of votes and the canvassing of votes for president, or for president and vice president, mean votes for them through their pledged presidential electors.
5.10 History History: 1973 c. 334 s. 2; Stats. 1973 s. 5.10; 1977 c. 26; 1979 c. 89, 311.
5.15 5.15 Division of municipalities into wards.
5.15(1) (1)
5.15(1)(a)(a) Every city, village and town in this state shall by its common council or village or town board, respectively, be divided into wards as provided in this section, except as authorized in sub. (2). The boundaries of the wards established under this section, and the number assigned to each ward, are intended to be as permanent as possible, and to this end each ward shall when created contain a population at a convenient point within the applicable population range under sub. (2) (b), with due consideration for the known trends of population increase or decrease within that part of the municipality in which the ward is located. Once established, the boundaries of each ward shall remain unchanged until a further decennial federal census of population indicates that the population of a ward is then above or below the applicable population range or until the ward boundaries are required to be changed to permit creation of supervisory or aldermanic districts of substantially equal population or to enhance the participation of members of a racial or language minority group in the political process and their ability to elect representatives of their choice. If the population of a ward has increased above the maximum of its population range or if the population of a ward must be decreased for a reason specified in this paragraph, the ward shall be divided into 2 or more wards in compliance with sub. (2) (b). If the population of a ward has decreased below the minimum of its population range or if the population of a ward must be increased for a reason specified in this paragraph, the ward shall, if possible, be combined with an adjoining ward, or the underpopulated ward and one adjoining ward shall be combined and together subdivided into 2 or more wards in compliance with sub. (2).
5.15(1)(b) (b) Except as authorized in sub. (2) (a), within 60 days after the receipt of a tentative supervisory district plan and written statement, if any, from the county board of each county in which a municipality is located, the governing body of the municipality shall adjust its wards according to the schedule shown in sub. (2). All territory contained within the municipality, and only the territory so contained, on August 1 following the year of the federal decennial census shall be contained within a ward. Except as authorized in sub. (2), each ward shall consist of whole blocks. To suit the convenience of the voters residing therein each ward shall, as far as practicable, be kept compact and observe the community of interest of existing neighborhoods and other settlements. All territory within a ward shall be contiguous, except for island territory as defined in sub. (2) (f) 3. Enactment or adoption of a division ordinance or resolution requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the governing body.
5.15(1)(c) (c) The wards established by municipal governing bodies under this section on the basis of the published results of each federal decennial census of population shall govern the adjustment of supervisory districts under s. 59.10 (2) (a) and (3) (b) and of aldermanic districts under s. 62.08 (1) for the purpose of local elections beginning on January 1 of the 2nd year commencing after the year of the census until revised under this section on the basis of the results of the next decennial census of population unless adjusted under sub. (2) (f) 4., (6) (a) or (7), or unless adjusted, as a matter of statewide concern, in the enactment of legislative districts under article IV, section 3, of the constitution on the basis of the most recent decennial census of population.
5.15(1)(d) (d) Every ward shall be wholly contained within a single county.
5.15(2) (2)
5.15(2)(a)(a) Except as required by par. (d), no city electing its common council at large in which the total population is less than 1,000, and no village or town in which the total population is less than 1,000 is required to be divided into wards under this section, but any such city, village or town may divide itself into wards if the creation of wards facilitates the administration of elections. No village or town located in a county having only one town is required to be divided into wards under this section.
5.15(2)(b)1.1. In any city in which the population is at least 150,000, each ward shall contain not less than 1,000 nor more than 4,000 inhabitants.
5.15(2)(b)2. 2. In any city in which the population is at least 39,000 but less than 150,000, each ward shall contain not less than 800 nor more than 3,200 inhabitants.
5.15(2)(b)3. 3. In any city, village or town in which the population is at least 10,000 but less than 39,000, each ward shall contain not less than 600 nor more than 2,100 inhabitants.
5.15(2)(b)4. 4. In any city, village or town in which the population is less than 10,000, each ward shall contain not less than 300 nor more than 1,000 inhabitants.
5.15(2)(bm) (bm) Every city electing the members of its common council from aldermanic districts shall assemble the blocks wholly or partially contained within the city into wards that will enable the creation of aldermanic districts that are substantially equal in population.
5.15(2)(c) (c) If the population of a block exceeds the maximum population for a ward otherwise specified in this subsection, such block shall be constituted a ward by itself, except that if the population of a block substantially exceeds the population of proposed aldermanic districts in a city so that, if the block were to constitute an aldermanic district, the populations of the aldermanic districts in the city would not be substantially equal, the city shall divide the block to permit assembly into wards that will enable creation of aldermanic districts that are substantially equal in population.
5.15(2)(cm) (cm) Any division of blocks under this section shall be based on the best evidence available. In this paragraph, "best evidence" includes, but is not limited to, the population of the block and other information received from the U.S. bureau of the census and such data as number of housing units, utility connections and vehicle registrations or a special census conducted locally. For each ward so established, the population estimate shall be correlated with the results of the most recent federal decennial census, so that the total population reported for all wards in the municipality agrees with the census results.
5.15(2)(d) (d) Every municipality shall make a good faith effort to accommodate the tentative plan submitted by the county or counties in which it is located under s. 59.10 (2) (a) or (3) (b) 1., and shall divide itself into wards in such a manner that will permit the creation of county supervisory districts in accordance with the population requirements for the plan specified in s. 59.10 (2) (a) or (3) (b) 1.
5.15(2)(e) (e) Notwithstanding par. (b), if territory is detached from a city, village or town after adoption of a decennial ward plan, and the remaining portion of the ward to which it was attached falls below the prescribed minimum population for the applicable range, the remaining portion of the population may be constituted a ward by itself.
5.15(2)(f) (f) Notwithstanding par. (b), any city, village or town may establish a ward below the prescribed minimum population for the applicable range whenever the proposed ward is established under par. (a), (d) or (e) or whenever the proposed ward contains solely:
5.15(2)(f)1. 1. That part of a city or village situated in a county other than the county in which the major part of the municipality is located.
5.15(2)(f)2. 2. That part of a city, village or town belonging to a school district other than the school district to which the major part of the municipality belongs.
5.15(2)(f)3. 3. Island territory containing a resident population. In this subdivision, "island territory" means territory surrounded by water, or noncontiguous territory which is separated by the territory of another municipality or by water, or both, from the major part of the municipality to which it belongs.
5.15(2)(f)4. 4. New territory which becomes a part of a city, village or town after the adoption of a decennial ward plan.
5.15(2)(g) (g) If a block is affected by an annexation or detachment which establishes a municipal boundary that subdivides the block, the municipalities in which the block is contained shall incorporate only the portion of the block contained within their boundaries in their ward plans.
5.15(4) (4)
5.15(4)(a)(a) The division ordinance or resolution shall number all wards in the municipality in whole numbers in consecutive order, beginning with the number one, shall designate the polling place for each ward, and shall describe the boundaries of each ward consistent with the conventions set forth in s. 4.003. The ordinance or resolution shall be accompanied by a list of the block numbers used by the U.S. bureau of the census that are wholly or partly contained within each ward, with any block numbers partly contained within a ward identified, and a map of the municipality which illustrates the revised ward boundaries.
5.15(4)(b) (b) Within 5 days after adoption or enactment of an ordinance or resolution under this section, the municipal clerk shall transmit one copy of the ordinance or resolution to the county clerk of each county in which the municipality is contained, accompanied by the list and map specified in par. (a). If the population of the municipality exceeds 10,000, the municipal clerk shall furnish one copy to the legislative reference bureau at the same time. Each copy shall identify the name of the municipality and the county or counties in which it is located.
5.15(5) (5) When a town is divided into wards, the annual town meeting and special town elections shall be held at the first ward.
5.15(6) (6)
5.15(6)(a)(a) Following any municipality-wide special federal census of population, the governing body of the municipality in which the special census was held may, by ordinance or resolution, adjust the ward boundaries, but no ward line adjustment may cross the boundary of an assembly district. The municipal clerk shall transmit copies of the ordinance or resolution in compliance with sub. (4) (b).
5.15(6)(b) (b) No later than 60 days before each September primary and general election, and no later than 30 days before each other election the governing body of any municipality may by resolution combine 2 or more wards for voting purposes to facilitate using a common polling place. Whenever wards are so combined, the original ward numbers shall continue to be utilized for all official purposes. Except as otherwise authorized under this paragraph, every municipality having a population of 50,000 or more, or 35,000 or more after June 1, 1996, shall maintain separate returns for each ward so combined. In municipalities having a population of less than 50,000, or less than 35,000 after June 1, 1996, the governing body may provide in the resolution that returns shall be maintained only for each group of combined wards at any election. In municipalities having a population as shown in the 1990 federal decennial census of at least 87,000 but not more than 150,000, the governing body may provide in a resolution adopted prior to June 1, 1996 that groups of not more than 2 wards shall use common ballot boxes and ballots or voting machines and that returns shall be maintained only for each group of combined wards at any election held prior to June 1, 1996. Whenever a governing body provides for common ballot boxes and ballots or voting machines, separate returns shall be maintained for each separate ballot required under ss. 5.62 and 5.64 at the September primary and general election. The municipal clerk shall transmit a copy of the resolution to the county clerk of each county in which the municipality is contained. In municipalities having a population of less than 50,000, or less than 35,000 after June 1, 1996, the resolution shall remain in effect for each election until modified or rescinded, or until a new division is made under this section.
5.15(7) (7) If a new town is created or if part of a town is annexed to a city or village during a decennial period after the period for ward adjustments under sub. (1) (b), the town board of any town to which territory is attached or from which territory is detached, without regard to the time provisions of sub. (1) (b), may, by ordinance or resolution, adjust the wards in that town, but no ward line adjustment may cross the boundary of an assembly district. The town clerk shall transmit copies of the ordinance or resolution making the adjustment in compliance with sub. (4) (b).
5.15(8) (8) Until divided, all elections are held in the established wards.
5.15 Annotation City and county apportionment discussed. City of Janesville v. Rock County, 107 W (2d) 187, 319 NW (2d) 891 (Ct. App. 1982).
5.15 Annotation Court properly voided city's plan and adopted county's plan, even though county did not adopt plan within 60 days of receiving census data. County of La Crosse v. City of La Crosse, 108 W (2d) 560, 322 NW (2d) 531 (Ct. App. 1982).
5.18 5.18 Enforcement of division requirement. If any municipality fails to comply with s. 5.15, the county in which the municipality is located or any elector of the municipality may submit to the circuit court for any county in which the municipality is located within 14 days from the expiration of the 60-day period under s. 5.15 (1) (b) a proposed plan for the division of the municipality into wards in compliance with this section. If the circuit court finds that the existing division of the municipality into wards fails to comply with s. 5.15, it shall review the plan submitted by the petitioner and after reasonable notice to the municipality may promulgate the plan, or any other plan in compliance with s. 5.15, as a temporary ward plan for the municipality to remain in effect until superseded by a ward plan adopted by the governing body in compliance with s. 5.15.
5.18 History History: 1985 a. 304 ss. 9, 11, 12.
5.25 5.25 Polling places.
5.25(1)(1) All elections under chs. 5 to 12 shall be held at the polling places provided in this section. So far as practicable, the places chosen shall be public buildings.
5.25(2) (2) In cities over 500,000 population, polling shall be at the places established by the board of election commissioners. In all other cities and in villages and towns, polling shall be at the places established by the governing body.
5.25(3) (3) Polling places shall be established for each September primary and general election at least 60 days before the election, and for each other election at least 30 days before the election.
5.25(4) (4)
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