6.55(2)(a)(a) Except where the procedure under
par. (c) is employed, any person who qualifies as an elector in the ward or election district where he or she desires to vote, but has not previously filed a registration form, or was registered at another location in a municipality where registration is required, may request permission to vote at the polling place for that ward or election district, or at an alternate polling place assigned under
s. 5.25 (5) (b). When a proper request is made, the inspector shall require the person to execute a registration form prescribed by the board which shall contain the following certification:
"I, ...., hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge, I am a qualified elector, having resided at .... for at least 10 days immediately preceding this election, and that I am not disqualified on any ground from voting, and I have not voted, at this election." If a change of address is made from outside the municipality, the elector shall file a cancellation under
s. 6.40 (1) (b).
6.55(2)(b)
(b) Upon executing the registration form under
par. (a), the person shall be required by a special registration deputy or inspector to present acceptable proof of residence under
sub. (7). If the person cannot supply such proof, the registration form shall be substantiated and signed by one other elector who resides in the same municipality as the registering elector, corroborating all the material statements therein. The corroborator shall then provide acceptable proof of residence. The signing by the elector executing the form and by any elector who corroborates the information in the form shall be in the presence of the special registration deputy or inspector. Upon compliance with this procedure, such person shall then be given the right to vote.
6.55(2)(c)1.1. As an alternative to registration at the polling place under
pars. (a) and
(b), the board of election commissioners, or the governing body of any municipality in which registration is required may by resolution require a person who qualifies as an elector and who is not registered and desires to register on the day of an election to do so at another readily accessible location in the same building as the polling place serving the elector's residence or at an alternate polling place assigned under
s. 5.25 (5) (b), instead of at the polling place serving the elector's residence. In such case, the municipal clerk shall prominently post a notice of the registration location at the polling place. The municipal clerk, deputy clerk or special registration deputy at the registration location shall require such person to execute a registration form as prescribed under
par. (a) and to provide acceptable proof of residence as provided under
sub. (7). If the person cannot supply such proof, the registration form shall be corroborated in the manner provided in
par. (b). The signing by the elector executing the form and by any corroborating elector shall be in the presence of the municipal clerk, deputy clerk or special registration deputy. Upon proper completion of registration, the municipal clerk, deputy clerk or special registration deputy shall serially number the registration and give one copy to the elector for presentation at the polling place serving the elector's residence or an alternate polling place assigned under
s. 5.25 (5) (b).
6.55(2)(c)2.
2. Upon compliance with the procedures under
subd. 1., the municipal clerk or deputy clerk shall issue a certificate addressed to the inspectors of the proper polling place directing that the elector be permitted to cast his or her vote. If the elector's registration is corroborated, the clerk shall enter the name and address of the corroborator on the face of the certificate. The certificate shall be numbered serially and prepared in duplicate. The municipal clerk shall preserve one copy in his or her office.
6.55(2)(c)3.
3. The elector, at the time he or she appears to vote at the polling place, shall deliver the certificate issued under
subd. 2. to the inspectors.
6.55(2)(d)
(d) A registered elector who has changed his or her name but resides at the same address, and has not notified the municipal clerk under
s. 6.40 (1) (c), shall notify the inspector of the change before voting. The inspector shall then notify the municipal clerk at the time which materials are returned under
s. 6.56 (1). If an elector changes both a name and address, the elector shall complete a registration form at the polling place or other registration location under
pars. (a) and
(b).
6.55(3)
(3) Any qualified elector in the ward or election district where the elector desires to vote whose name does not appear on the registration list where registration is required but who claims to be registered to vote in the election may request permission to vote at the polling place for that ward or election district. When the request is made, the inspector shall require the person to give his or her name and address. If the elector is not at the polling place which serves the ward or election district where the elector resides, the inspector shall provide the elector with directions to the correct polling place. If the elector is at the correct polling place, the elector shall then execute the following written statement: "I, ...., hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge, I am a qualified elector, having resided at .... for at least 10 days immediately preceding this election, and that I am not disqualified on any ground from voting, and I have not voted at this election and am properly registered to vote in this election." The person shall be required to provide acceptable proof of residence as provided under
sub. (7) and shall then be given the right to vote. If acceptable proof is presented, the elector need not have the information corroborated by any other elector. If acceptable proof is not presented, the statement shall be certified by the elector and shall be corroborated by another elector who resides in the municipality. The corroborator shall then provide acceptable proof of residence as provided in
sub. (7). Whenever the question cannot be satisfactorily resolved and the elector permitted to vote, an inspector shall telephone the office of the municipal clerk to reconcile the records at the polling place with those at the office.
6.55(6)
(6) The governing body or board of election commissioners of any municipality may provide by resolution that any of the registration duties of inspectors under
sub. (2) shall be carried out in the municipality by special registration deputies appointed by the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners at any polling place or other registration location whenever the clerk or board of election commissioners determines that the registration process provided for in that subsection will be facilitated thereby. The deputies shall be specially appointed by the clerk or board of election commissioners for one election only to conduct elector registration only.
6.55(7)(a)(a) For purposes of this section, a form of identification constitutes acceptable proof of residence if it includes:
6.55(7)(a)1.
1. A current and complete name, including both the given and family name; and
6.55(7)(a)2.
2. A current and complete residential address, including a numbered street address, if any, and the name of a municipality.
6.55(7)(b)
(b) If an elector's address has changed since a piece of identification was issued, the new information may be typed or printed on the identification by hand, in ink.
6.55(7)(c)
(c) Forms of identification which constitute acceptable proof of residence under this section, when they contain the information specified in
par. (a), include the following:
6.55(7)(c)1.
1. A Wisconsin motor vehicle operator's license.
6.55(7)(c)3.
3. Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit or by an employer in the normal course of business, but not including a business card.
6.55(7)(c)6.
6. A check-cashing or courtesy card issued by a merchant in the normal course of business.
6.55(7)(c)7.
7. A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.
6.55(7)(c)8.
8. A residential lease which is effective for a period that includes election day.
6.55(7)(c)9.
9. A university, college or technical institute fee card.
6.55(7)(c)10.
10. A university, college or technical institute identification card.
6.55(7)(c)12.
12. A gas, electric or telephone service statement for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before election day.
6.55(7)(d)
(d) Forms of identification specified in
par. (c) which are valid for use during a specified period shall be valid on the day of an election in order to constitute acceptable proof of residence at that election.
6.56
6.56
Verification of voters not appearing on list. 6.56(1)(1) The list containing the names of persons voting under
ss. 6.29 and
6.55 (2) and
(3) shall be returned together with all forms and certificates to the municipal clerk.
6.56(2)
(2) Upon receipt of the list, the municipal clerk shall make a check to determine whether each person who has been allowed to vote under
s. 6.55 (3) is properly registered. If so, the clerk shall correct the registration list. If the address on the registration list is not correct, the clerk shall correct the address. The clerk shall then notify the elector by postcard when he or she is properly registered. If such person is found not to be properly registered, the clerk shall send the person a 1st class letter with that information, containing a mail registration form under
s. 6.30 (4). The letter shall be marked "Address correction requested". If such letter is returned undelivered, or if the U.S. postal service notifies the clerk of an improper address which was apparently improper on the day of the election, the clerk shall notify the district attorney.
6.56(3)
(3) The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall make an audit of all electors registering to vote at the polling place or other registration location under
s. 6.55 (2) upon receipt of the list under
sub. (1). The audit shall be made by 1st class postcard. The postcard shall be labeled "Address correction requested" or "Do not forward—return postage guaranteed". If any postcard is returned undelivered, or if the clerk or board of election commissioners is informed of a different address than the one specified by the elector which was apparently improper on the day of the election, the clerk or board shall remove the elector's name from the registration list, mail the elector a notice of the removal and provide the name to the district attorney for the county where the polling place is located.
6.56(4)
(4) After each election, the municipal clerk shall carefully check to assure that no person has been allowed to vote more than once. Whenever the municipal clerk has good reason to believe that a person has voted more than once in an election, the clerk shall send the person a 1st class letter with return receipt and address correction requested, informing him or her that all registrations relating to that person may be canceled within 7 days unless the person contacts the office of the clerk to clarify the matter. A copy of such letter and any subsequent information received from or about the addressee shall be sent to the district attorney.
6.56(5)
(5) Whenever any letter or postcard mailed under this section is returned undelivered, or whenever the U.S. postal service notifies the clerk of an improper address which was apparently improper on the day of the election or whenever it otherwise appears that a person has voted who is not qualified or has voted more than once in an election, and the person has been permitted to vote after corroboration was made under
s. 6.55 (2) or
(3), the name of the corroborator shall also be provided to the district attorney.
6.56(6)
(6) The municipal clerk may not disqualify an elector under this section except upon the grounds and in accordance with the procedures specified in
s. 6.325.
6.57
6.57
Registration list for school and special elections. If the registration list has not been revised in time to be used at any school or special election, the registration list used at the last preceding general or municipal election plus a supplementary list shall be used for the election. Before issuing the supplementary list the municipal clerk shall add the newly registered electors and strike the names of those electors known to have died or become disqualified since the registration list was last revised.
6.57 History
History: 1975 c. 85 s.
30; Stats. 1975 s. 6.57;
1977 c. 394.
VOTING
6.76
6.76
Time off for voting. 6.76(1)(1) Any person entitled to vote at an election is entitled to be absent from work while the polls are open for a period not to exceed 3 successive hours to vote. The elector shall notify the affected employer before election day of the intended absence. The employer may designate the time of day for the absence.
6.76(2)
(2) No penalty, other than a deduction for time lost, may be imposed upon an elector by his or her employer by reason of the absence authorized by this section.
6.76(3)
(3) This section applies to all employers including the state and all political subdivisions of the state and their employes, but does not affect the employes' right to holidays existing on June 28, 1945, or established after that date.
6.76 History
History: 1977 c. 394;
1991 a. 316.
6.77
6.77
Place for voting. 6.77(1)(1) An elector may vote only at the polling place for his or her residence designated by the governing body or board of election commissioners.
6.77(2)
(2) Whenever territory which was formerly a part of one municipality becomes a part of another municipality, an elector of the territory shall vote in the municipality in which the territory is included on the day of the election.
6.77 History
History: 1975 c. 85;
1985 a. 304.
6.78
6.78
Poll hours. The polls at any election shall be open:
6.78(1)
(1) In 1st, 2nd and 3rd class cities, from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
6.78(2)
(2) In 4th class cities, villages and towns, from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.; extendable by the governing body to not earlier than 7 a.m. Notice of the change of hours shall be given by publication in a newspaper, under
ch. 985, once each week for 2 successive weeks, with the first insertion not less than 8 days before the election. The new hours shall take effect only after the notice provisions have been complied with. When the ordinance applies to all future elections, notice need be given only for the first election affected by the change.
6.78(3)
(3) The polls at school elections shall be open the same hours as provided under
subs. (1) and
(2) in the municipality or municipalities in which the school district is located, except as authorized in
s. 120.06 (9) (a).
6.78(4)
(4) Any elector waiting to vote, whether within the polling booth or in the line outside the booth at the time the polls officially close, shall be permitted to vote.
6.78 History
History: 1985 a. 304;
1991 a. 316.
6.79
6.79
Recording electors. Two election officials at each election ward shall be in charge of and shall maintain 2 separate lists of all persons voting.
6.79(1)
(1) Municipalities without registration. Where there is no registration, before being permitted to vote, each person shall state his or her full name and address. The officials shall record each name and address on a poll list in the same order as the votes are cast. If the residence of the elector does not have a number, the election officials shall, in the appropriate space, write "none". Alternatively, the municipal clerk may maintain a poll list consisting of the full name and address of electors compiled from previous elections. Whenever an elector appears to vote, the officials shall verify the correctness of the elector's name and address, and shall enter a serial number next to the name of the elector in the order that the votes are cast, beginning with the number one. If the name and address of an elector do not appear on the prepared poll list, the officials shall record the name, address and serial number of the elector at the bottom of the list. The officials may require any elector to provide identification, including acceptable proof of residence, or to have another elector corroborate his or her information in accordance with the procedure specified in
s. 6.55 (2) (b) before permitting the elector to vote. The officials shall maintain a separate list of those persons voting under
ss. 6.15 and
6.24.
6.79(2)
(2) Municipalities with registration. Where there is registration, each person, before receiving a voting number, shall state his or her full name and address. Upon the prepared registration list, after the name of each elector, the officials shall enter the serial number of the vote as it is polled, beginning with number one. Each elector shall receive a slip bearing the same serial number. A separate list shall be maintained for electors who are voting under
s. 6.15,
6.29 or
6.55 (2) or
(3) and electors who are reassigned from another polling place under
s. 5.25 (5) (b). Each such elector shall have his or her full name, address and serial number likewise recorded and shall be given a slip bearing such number.
6.79(3)
(3) Refusal to give name and address. If any elector offering to vote at any polling place refuses to give his or her name and address, the elector may not be permitted to vote.
6.79(4)
(4) Supplemental information. When any elector provides identification under
sub. (1) or
s. 6.15,
6.29 or
6.55 (2) or
(3), the election officials shall enter the type of identification on the poll or registration list, or supplemental list maintained under
sub. (2). If the form of identification includes a number which applies only to the individual holding that piece of identification, the election officials shall also enter that number on the list. When any elector corroborates the registration identity or residence of any person offering to vote under
sub. (1) or
s. 6.55 (2) (b) or
(c) or
(3) the name and address of the corroborator shall also be entered next to the name of the elector whose information is being corroborated on the registration or poll list, or the separate list maintained under
sub. (2). When any person offering to vote has been challenged and taken the oath, following the person's name on the registration or poll list, the officials shall enter the word "Sworn".
6.79(5)
(5) Poll list forms. Poll lists shall be kept on forms designed by the board to be substantially similar to the standard registration list forms used in municipalities where registration is required and shall require, for each person offering to vote, the entry of the person's full name and address.
6.80
6.80
Mechanics of voting. 6.80(1)(1)
Voting booth or machine use. Only one individual at a time is permitted to occupy a voting booth or machine, except that an elector who is a parent or guardian may be accompanied by the elector's minor child or minor ward, and an elector who qualifies for assistance under
s. 6.82 (2) may be assisted as provided in that subsection.
6.80(2)(a)(a) Upon receiving his or her ballot and without leaving the polling place, the elector shall enter an unoccupied voting booth or machine alone to cast his or her vote, except as authorized in
sub. (1). An elector may use or copy an unofficial sample ballot which may be marked in advance of entering the polling place, but an elector may not use or bring into the polling place any ballot printed upon paper of the type required or utilized for official ballots at that polling place.
6.80(2)(am)
(am) In partisan primaries, an elector may vote for a person as the candidate of the party of the elector's choice, if that person's name does not appear on the official ballot of that party, by writing in the name of the person in the space provided on the ballot or the ballot provided for that purpose, or where voting machines are used, in the irregular ballot device, designating the party for which the elector desires such person to be the nominee.
6.80(2)(b)
(b) After preparing his or her ballot, unless the ballot is intended for counting with automatic tabulating equipment, the elector shall fold it so its face will be concealed.
6.80(2)(c)
(c) Any elector who, by accident or mistake, spoils or erroneously prepares a ballot may receive another, by returning the defective ballot, but not to exceed 3 ballots in all.
6.80(2)(d)
(d) If an elector receives a ballot which is not initialed by 2 inspectors, or is defective in any other way, the elector shall return it to the inspectors. If the initials are missing, the inspectors shall supply the missing initials. If the ballot is defective, they shall destroy it and issue another ballot to the elector.
6.80(2)(e)
(e) Upon voting his or her ballot, the elector shall publicly and in person deposit it in the ballot box or deliver it to an inspector for deposit in the box.
6.80(2)(f)
(f) In the presidential preference primary and other partisan primary elections at polling places where ballots are distributed to electors, unless the ballots are utilized with an electronic voting system in which all candidates appear on the same ballot, after the elector prepares his or her ballot the elector shall detach the remaining ballots, fold the ballots to be discarded, fold the completed ballot unless the ballot is intended for counting with automatic tabulating equipment, personally deposit the ballots to be discarded in the separate ballot box marked "blank ballot box", and deposit the completed ballot in the ballot box indicated by the inspectors. The inspectors shall keep the blank ballot box locked until the canvass is completed and shall dispose of the blank ballots as prescribed by the municipal clerk.
6.80(3)
(3) Time in booth or machine. 6.80(3)(a)(a) Each elector shall be allowed a reasonable time to vote. Unless otherwise specified for that election, a majority of the inspectors shall determine the time each elector shall have to mark the ballot, taking into consideration the size of the ballot and the number of electors in line waiting to vote. In no case shall the time be less than one minute. If there are electors in line waiting to vote, the time shall not exceed 5 minutes.
6.80(3)(b)
(b) If an elector refuses to leave the booth or machine after being notified by one of the inspectors that the time has expired, the elector shall be removed by the inspectors.
6.82
6.82
Assisting electors. 6.82(1)(1)
Receipt of ballot at poll entrance. 6.82(1)(a)(a) When any inspectors are informed that an elector is at the entrance to the polling place who as a result of disability is unable to enter the polling place, they shall permit the elector to be assisted in marking or punching a ballot by any individual selected by the elector, except the elector's employer or an agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a labor organization which represents the elector. The inspectors shall issue a ballot to the individual selected by the elector and shall accompany the individual to the polling place entrance where the assistance is to be given. If the ballot is a paper ballot, the assisting individual shall fold the ballot after the ballot is marked or punched by the assisting individual. The assisting individual shall then immediately take the ballot into the polling place and give the ballot to an inspector. The inspector shall distinctly announce that he or she has "a ballot offered by .... (stating person's name), an elector who, as a result of disability, is unable to enter the polling place without assistance". The inspector shall then ask, "Does anyone object to the reception of this ballot?" If no objection is made, the inspectors shall record the elector's name under
s. 6.79 and deposit the ballot in the ballot box, and shall make a notation on the registration or poll list: "Ballot received at poll entrance".
6.82(1)(b)
(b) If objection to receiving the ballot is made by any qualified elector present, the inspectors shall receive the ballot under
s. 6.95.
6.82(2)(a)(a) If an elector declares to the presiding election official that he or she cannot read or write, or has difficulty in reading, writing or understanding English or that due to disability is unable to mark or punch a ballot or depress a button or lever on a voting machine, the elector shall be informed by the officials that he or she may have assistance. When assistance is requested, the elector may select any individual to assist in casting his or her vote. The selected individual rendering assistance may not be the elector's employer or an agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a labor organization which represents the elector. The selected individual shall certify on the back of the ballot that it was marked or punched with his or her assistance. Where voting machines are used, certification shall be made on the registration list.
6.82(2)(b)
(b) The individual chosen shall enter the voting booth or machine with the elector and shall read the names of all candidates on the ballot for each office, and ask, "For which one do you vote?". The ballot shall be marked or punched or the lever or button depressed according to the elector's expressed preference. The individual selected to assist may not disclose to anyone how the elector voted.
6.82(2)(c)
(c) Intoxication shall not be regarded as a disability.
6.82(2)(d)
(d) The election officials shall enter upon the poll list after the name of any elector who had assistance in voting the word "assisted". The officials shall also record on the poll list the full name and address of the individual who renders assistance.
6.82(3)
(3) Use of paper ballots. Whenever, in a municipality in which voting machines are used, an elector declares to the chief inspector that, due to physical disability, the elector is unable to depress a button or lever on a voting machine, the inspectors shall permit the elector to vote using a paper ballot and voting booth.
6.82(4)
(4) Solicitation prohibited. No election official or other person assisting an elector under this section or
s. 5.79 may request, suggest or seek to persuade an elector to cast a vote for or against any candidate, party or question.
