6.28
6.28
Where and when to register. 6.28(1)
(1)
Registration locations; deadline. Registration in person for any election shall close at 5 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday preceding the election. Registrations made by mail under
s. 6.30 (4) must be delivered to the office of the municipal clerk or postmarked no later than the 2nd Wednesday preceding the election. All applications for registration corrections and additions may be made throughout the year at the office of the city board of election commissioners, at the office of the municipal clerk, at the office of any register of deeds or at other locations provided by the board of election commissioners or the common council in cities over 500,000 population or by either or both the municipal clerk, or the common council, village or town board in all other municipalities and may also be made during the school year at any high school by qualified persons under
sub. (2) (a). Other registration locations may include but are not limited to fire houses, police stations, public libraries, institutions of higher education, supermarkets, community centers, plants and factories, banks, savings and loan associations and savings banks. Special registration deputies shall be appointed for all locations.
6.28(2)(a)(a) Public high schools shall be used for registration for enrolled students and members of the high school staff.
6.28(2)(b)
(b) The municipal clerk of each municipality in which elector registration is required shall notify the school board of each school district in which the municipality is located that high schools shall be used for registration pursuant to
par. (a). The school board and the municipal clerk shall agree upon the appointment of at least one qualified elector at each high school as a special school registration deputy. The municipal clerk shall appoint such person as a school registration deputy and explain the person's duties and responsibilities. Students and staff may register at the high school on any day that classes are regularly held. The school registration deputies shall promptly forward properly completed registration forms to the municipal clerk of the municipality in which the registering student or staff member resides. The municipal clerk, upon receiving such registration forms, shall add all those registering electors who have met the registration requirements to the registration list. The municipal clerk may reject any registration form and shall promptly notify the person whose registration is rejected of the rejection and the reason therefor. A person whose registration is rejected may reapply for registration if he or she is qualified. The form of each high school student who is qualified and will be eligible to vote at the next election shall be filed in such a way that when a student attains the age of 18 years the student is registered to vote automatically. Each school board shall assure that the principal of every high school communicates elector registration information to students.
6.28(2)(c)
(c) The principal of any private high school having a substantial number of students residing in a municipality may request the municipal clerk to establish registration dates when a special registration deputy will be present in the high school, or to appoint a special school registration deputy in accordance with
par. (b). The clerk shall establish registration dates or appoint a special school registration deputy in the high school if the clerk determines the school to have a substantial number of students residing in the municipality.
6.28(3)
(3) At office of register of deeds. Any person who resides in a municipality requiring registration of electors shall be given an opportunity to register to vote at the office of the register of deeds. An applicant may fill out the required registration form under
s. 6.33. Upon receipt of a completed form, the register of deeds shall forward the form within 5 days to the appropriate municipal clerk, or to the board of election commissioners in cities over 500,000 population. The register of deeds shall forward the form immediately whenever registration closes within 5 days of receipt.
6.29
6.29
Late registration in person. 6.29(1)
(1) No names may be added to a registration list for any election after the close of registration, except as authorized under this section or
s. 6.55 (2) or
(3). Any person whose name is not on the registration list but who is otherwise a qualified elector is entitled to vote at the election upon compliance with this section.
6.29(2)(a)(a) Any qualified elector of a municipality where registration is required who has not previously filed a registration form or whose name does not appear on the registration list of the municipality shall be entitled to vote at the election if he or she delivers to the municipal clerk a registration form executed by the elector. The form shall contain a certification by the elector that all statements are true and correct. Alternatively, if the elector cannot obtain a registration form, the elector may deliver a statement, signed by the elector, containing all of the information required on the registration form. The elector shall present acceptable proof of residence as provided in
s. 6.55 (7). If no proof is presented, the registration form or the listing of required information shall be substantiated by one other elector of the municipality, corroborating all the material statements therein. The corroborating elector shall then provide acceptable proof of residence under
s. 6.55 (7). The signing of the form by the registering elector and statement by the corroborating elector shall be done in the presence of the municipal clerk or deputy clerk not later than 5 p.m. of the day before an election.
6.29(2)(b)
(b) Upon the filing of the registration form required by this section, the municipal clerk shall issue a certificate addressed to the inspectors of the proper ward directing that the elector be permitted to cast his or her vote. The certificate shall be numbered serially, prepared in duplicate and one copy preserved in the office of the municipal clerk.
6.29(2)(c)
(c) The elector, at the time he or she appears at the correct polling place, shall deliver the certificate issued under
par. (b) to the inspectors. If the elector applies for and obtains an absentee ballot, the certificate shall be annexed to and mailed with the absentee ballot to the office of the municipal clerk.
6.29(2)(d)
(d) The inspectors shall record the names of electors who present certificates in person or for whom certificates are presented with absentee ballots under this section on the list maintained under
s. 6.56 (1). These names shall then be added to the registration list if the electors are qualified.
6.30
6.30
How to register. 6.30(1)(1)
In person. Registration applications shall be made in person, except under
subs. (2) to
(4).
6.30(2)
(2) When confined or disabled. A registration form for a qualified elector may be completed at the home or institution where an elector is confined because of physical illness or infirmity or where a disabled elector resides if the elector finds it difficult, due to such illness, infirmity or disability, to register in another manner. The form shall contain a certification by the elector that all statements are true and correct. A registration form for such an elector may be made in the presence of any individual who is authorized to register electors, or a form may be signed by the elector and witnessed by one other elector of the municipality and then mailed or delivered to the municipal clerk. The form shall contain a statement that the elector is confined because of physical illness or infirmity or is disabled and finds it difficult, due to such illness, infirmity or disability, to register in another manner.
6.30(3)
(3) When absent. Any elector who is located more than 50 miles from his or her legal voting residence may register before the close of registration for any election as follows:
6.30(3)(a)
(a) The elector shall secure the necessary blank registration form and instructions for its completion from the municipal clerk.
6.30(3)(b)
(b) [The elector shall certify that all statements are true and correct. The elector's certification shall be witnessed by 2 adult U.S. citizens or by an individual who is authorized to administer oaths, who shall sign the form.]
6.30(3)(c)
(c) The elector shall return the registration form to the clerk of the municipality where the elector resides. The form shall be prepostpaid for return when mailed at any point within the United States. To be eligible to vote in an election the form shall be received by the clerk prior to the close of the clerk's office on the registration deadline date for that election.
6.30(4)
(4) By mail. Any eligible elector who is located not more than 50 miles from his or her legal voting residence may register by mail on a form prescribed by the board and provided by each municipality. The form shall be designed to obtain the information required in
ss. 6.33 (1) and
6.40 (1) (a) and
(b). The form shall contain a certification by the elector that all statements are true and correct. The form shall be prepostpaid for return when mailed at any point within the United States, and shall be signed by a special registration deputy or shall be signed and substantiated by one other elector residing in the same municipality in which the registering elector resides, corroborating all material statements therein. The form shall be available in the municipal clerk's office and may be distributed by any elector of the municipality. The clerk shall mail a registration form to any elector upon written or oral request.
6.32
6.32
Verification of mail registrations. 6.32(1)
(1) Upon receipt of a registration form which is submitted by mail under
s. 6.30 (4), the municipal clerk shall examine the form for sufficiency.
6.32(2)
(2) If the form is insufficient to accomplish registration or the clerk knows or has reliable information that the proposed elector is not qualified, the clerk shall notify the proposed elector within 5 days, if possible, and request that the elector appear at the clerk's office or other registration center to complete a proper registration or substantiate the information presented.
6.32(3)
(3) If the form is submitted later than the close of registration, the clerk shall make a good faith effort to notify the elector that he or she may register at the clerk's office under
s. 6.29 or at the proper polling place or other location designated under
s. 6.55 (2).
6.32(4)
(4) If the form is sufficient to accomplish registration and the clerk has no reliable information to indicate that the proposed elector is not qualified, the clerk shall enter the elector's name on the registration list and transmit a 1st class letter or postcard to the registrant, specifying the elector's ward or aldermanic district, and polling place. If such letter or postcard is returned, or if the clerk is informed of a different address than the one specified by the elector, the clerk shall strike the name of the elector from the list. The letter or postcard shall specify "Address correction requested" or "Do not forward—", and if a postcard, "Return postage guaranteed".
6.325
6.325
Disqualification of electors. No person may be disqualified as an elector unless the municipal clerk, board of election commissioners or a challenging elector under
s. 6.48 demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that the person does not qualify as an elector or is not properly registered. If it appears that the elector or proposed elector is registered in another location, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may require the challenged elector to sign an authorization to cancel registration under
s. 6.40 (1) (b) and shall notify the proper official at that location. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may require naturalized applicants to show their naturalization certificates.
6.325 History
History: 1983 a. 484 s.
37;
1985 a. 304.
6.33
6.33
Registration forms. 6.33(1)(1) The municipal clerk shall supply sufficient registration forms as prescribed by the board printed on loose-leaf sheets or cards to obtain from each applicant information as to name, date, residence location, citizenship, age, whether the applicant has resided within the ward or election district for at least 10 days, whether the applicant has lost his or her right to vote, and whether the applicant is currently registered to vote at any other location, and shall provide a space for the applicant's signature. Each register of deeds shall obtain sufficient registration forms at the expense of the unit of government by which he or she is employed for completion by any elector who desires to register to vote.
6.33(2)(a)(a) The information may be recorded by any person, but the applicant shall sign his or her own name unless the applicant is unable to sign his or her name due to physical disability. In such case, the applicant may authorize another elector to sign the form on his or her behalf. If the applicant so authorizes, the elector signing the form shall attest to a statement that the application is made upon request and by authorization of a named elector who is unable to sign the form due to physical disability. Ward and aldermanic district information shall be filled in by the clerk.
6.33(2)(b)
(b) The registration form shall be signed by the registering elector and any corroborating elector under
s. 6.29 (2) (a),
6.30 (2) to
(4) or
6.55 (2) before the clerk, issuing officer or registration deputy. The form shall contain a certification by the registering elector that all statements are true and correct.
6.33(3)
(3) The registration form may include a space for a voting record to be filled in by the municipal clerk. If the form does not include such a space, voting record information shall be maintained separately by the municipal clerk in such form that it may be retrieved by computer.
6.33(4)
(4) When an individual's registration is canceled, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall enter the date and reason for cancellation on the individual's registration form.
6.35
6.35
Filing registration forms. 6.35(1)
(1) Under the direction of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners, the original registration forms shall be filed in one of the following ways:
6.35(1)(a)
(a) In alphabetical order of the electors' names.
6.35(1)(b)
(b) In alphabetical order according to street names, in numerical order on each street and in alphabetical order of the electors' names at each address on the street.
6.35(2)
(2) Registration forms shall be kept on file in the office of the municipal clerk. When the original forms are used on election day, they shall be returned to the clerk within 2 days after the election.
6.35(3)
(3) In municipalities employing data processing for keeping of registration records, original registration forms shall be maintained in the office of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners at all times.
6.35(5)
(5) Duplicate registration forms shall be maintained by municipalities not employing data processing. Duplicates shall be filed in the same order as originals, except that duplicates shall be filed for the entire municipality without regard to wards.
6.35(6)
(6) Original registration forms in municipalities not employing data processing shall be maintained by ward. Original registration forms in municipalities employing data processing need not be maintained by ward, but the data processing system employed shall enable retrieval of the registration list by ward.
6.36
6.36
Official registration list. 6.36(1)
(1) The municipal clerk shall compile a registration list for use in each ward following the arrangement for registration forms under
s. 6.35.
6.36(2)
(2) The registration lists shall contain the full name and address of each registered elector, a blank column for the entry of the serial number of the electors when they vote, and a form of a certificate stating that each list is a true and complete combined check and registration list of the respective wards.
6.36(3)
(3) Municipalities shall prepare at least 2 copies of the registration list for each ward and bind them in book form. The original registration forms constitute the official registration list and shall be controlling whenever discrepancies occur.
6.40
6.40
Transferring registration. 6.40(1)(a)(a)
Within municipality. Any registered elector shall transfer registration after a change of residence within the municipality in which he or she is registered by appearing in person or by mailing to the municipal clerk a signed request stating his or her present address, affirming that this will be the elector's residence for 10 days prior to the election and providing the address where he or she was last registered. Alternatively, the elector may transfer his or her registration at the proper polling place or other registration location under
s. 6.02 (2) in accordance with
s. 6.55 (2) (a). If an elector is voting at a former ward or election district, the change shall be effective for the next election.
6.40(1)(b)
(b)
Within state. Any elector who changes residence within this state from one municipality to another shall give his or her previous residence upon application for registration at the new residence and shall sign an authorization to cancel voting privileges at the former residence on a form prescribed by the board and furnished by each municipality. The cancellation authorization shall be forwarded to the proper election officials no later than 3 days after the close of registration. Such elector may also transfer his or her registration at the proper polling place or other registration location as provided in
s. 6.55 (2) (a).
6.40(1)(c)
(c)
Name change. Whenever an elector's name is legally changed, including a change by marriage or divorce, the elector shall transfer his or her registration to his or her legal name by appearing in person or mailing to the municipal clerk a signed request for a transfer of registration to such name. Alternatively, a registered elector may make notification of a name change at his or her polling place under
s. 6.55 (2) (d).
6.40(2)(a)(a) Municipal clerks may transfer any elector's registration upon receipt of reliable information that the elector has changed residence within the municipality. The clerk shall mail the elector a notice of the transfer.
6.40(2)(b)
(b) In addition to the revision which is required under
s. 6.50, municipal clerks may conduct door-to-door and mail registration canvasses at any time. The door-to-door canvass shall consist of both the deletion from the registration list of the names of electors who no longer reside at the address for which they are registered and the addition to the registration list of the names of electors who reside at that address. The mail canvass shall consist of the municipal clerk examining the registration records and canceling the registration of electors after the mailing of notices in accordance with
s. 6.50 (1) and
(2) or
(2m). The mail canvass may also consist of adding to the registration list the names of eligible electors. Both door-to-door and mail canvasses whenever made shall be made throughout the municipality in a uniform manner.
6.40(3)
(3) Recording changes. All changes of names and addresses under this section shall be filed with the municipal clerk and the clerk shall then correct the official registration list.
6.45
6.45
Access to registration list. 6.45(1)
(1) After the deadline for revision of the registration list, the municipal clerk shall make copies of the list for election use. The registration list and any supplemental lists which are prepared at polling places or other registration locations under
s. 6.55, shall be open to public inspection. Under the regulations prescribed by the municipal clerk, any person may copy the registration list at the office of the clerk. A registration list maintained at a polling place may be examined by an observer when such use does not interfere with the conduct of the election.
6.45(2)
(2) The municipal clerk shall furnish upon request to each candidate who has filed nomination papers for an office which represents at least part of the residents of the municipality one copy of the current registration list for those areas for which he or she is a candidate for a fee not to exceed the cost of reproduction.
6.46
6.46
Poll lists; copying. Poll lists shall be preserved by the municipal clerk until destruction or other disposition is authorized under
s. 7.23, and shall be open to public inspection. The municipal clerk shall furnish upon request to each candidate who has filed nomination papers for an office which represents at least part of the municipality one copy of the current poll list for those areas for which he or she is a candidate for a fee not to exceed the cost of reproduction. If a copying machine is not accessible, the clerk shall remove the lists from the office for the purposes of copying, and return them immediately thereafter.
6.46 History
History: 1975 c. 85,
199.
6.48
6.48
Challenging registration. 6.48(1)(a)(a) Any registered elector of a municipality may challenge the registration of any other registered elector by submitting to the municipal clerk or executive director of the board of election commissioners in cities of more than 500,000 population an affidavit stating that the elector is not qualified to vote and the reasons therefor. The clerk or director, upon receipt of the affidavit, shall mail a notification of the challenge to the challenged elector, at his or her registered address.
6.48(1)(b)
(b) The challenged and challenging electors shall appear before the municipal clerk within one week of notification or arrange under
sub. (2) to appear before the board of election commissioners. The challenging elector shall make an affidavit answering any questions necessary to determine the challenged elector's qualifications. Judgment rests with the municipal clerk and decisions shall be rendered as soon as heard. If the clerk cannot resolve the issue or has reservations as to the answers, the clerk may require the challenging elector to take the oath under
s. 6.925. If the challenged elector appears and contests any answer of the challenging elector, the clerk may require the challenged elector to take the oath under
s. 6.94 and to answer any question necessary to determine the challenged elector's qualifications. If the challenging elector appears before the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners but the challenged elector fails to appear, such clerk or board may make the decision without consulting the challenged elector. If the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners does not sustain the challenge, the challenged elector's registration remains valid.
6.48(1)(c)
(c) If the challenging elector fails to appear before the municipal clerk within one week or in cities of more than 500,000 population fails to appear before the board of election commissioners under
sub. (2) to answer questions and take the oath under
s. 6.925, such clerk or board shall cancel the challenge.
6.48(1)(d)
(d) If the clerk determines that the challenged elector is not qualified, the clerk shall cancel the challenged elector's registration, make the necessary change in the registration list and notify the inspectors for the ward or election district where the elector was registered.
6.48(2)
(2) Special procedure in populous cities. 6.48(2)(a)(a) In cities of more than 500,000 population, objections may be made before the board of election commissioners which shall sit on the last Wednesday before each election from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. to hear objections then made or deferred under
sub. (1). If all the objections cannot then be determined, the commissioners shall sit during the same hours the next day.
6.48(2)(b)
(b) Upon appearing in person, objectors shall be examined, under oath, by the commissioners and testimony taken. Judgment rests with the board of election commissioners and decisions shall be rendered as soon as heard. All cases are heard and decided summarily. The commissioners shall determine whether the person objected to is qualified. If they determine that a person is not qualified, the name shall be stricken from the registration list and the proper ward officials notified of the change immediately.
6.48(3)
(3) Challenge based on incompetency. Section 6.03 (3) applies to any challenge which is made to registration based on an allegation that an elector is incapable of understanding the objective of the elective process and thereby ineligible for registration.
6.48(4)
(4) Disqualification. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may not disqualify an elector under this section except upon the grounds and in accordance with the procedure specified in
s. 6.325.
6.50
6.50
Revision of registration list. 6.50(1)
(1) Within 90 days following each general election, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of each municipality in which registration is required shall examine the registration records and identify each elector who has not voted within the previous 4 years if qualified to do so during that entire period and shall mail a notice to the elector in substantially the following form:
"NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF
REGISTRATION
You are hereby notified that your voter registration will be canceled, according to state law, for failure to vote within the previous 4-year period, unless you apply for continuation of your registration within 30 days. You may continue your registration by signing the statement below and returning it to this office by mail or in person.
APPLICATION FOR CONTINUATION
OF REGISTRATION
