7.15(1)(cm)
(cm) Prepare official absentee ballots for delivery to electors requesting them, and mail an official absentee ballot to each elector who has requested one no later than the 30th day before each September primary and general election and no later than the 21st day before each other primary and election if the request is made before that day; otherwise, the municipal clerk shall mail an official absentee ballot within one day of the time the elector's request is received.
7.15(1)(cs)
(cs) Prepare write-in absentee ballots for delivery to military electors under
s. 6.25 (2) at each election, and prepare write-in absentee ballots for delivery to overseas electors under
s. 6.25 (3) at each election for national office, no later than the 90th day before the election, or as soon as possible after the offices to be contested at the election are known, whichever is later, and distribute the ballots to each military or overseas elector after ballots are available or within one day after a request is received, whichever is later, but beginning on the day that official absentee ballots become available, the clerk shall not mail write-in absentee ballots and shall substitute official absentee ballots for any write-in absentee ballots requested.
7.15(1)(d)
(d) Prepare the necessary notices and publications in connection with the conduct of elections or registrations.
7.15(1)(e)
(e) Instruct election officials in their duties, calling them together whenever advisable, advise them of changes in laws, rules and procedures affecting the performance of their duties, and administer examinations as authorized under
s. 7.30 (2) (c). The clerk shall assure that officials who serve at polling places where an electronic voting system is used are familiar with the system and competent to instruct electors in its proper use. The clerk shall inspect systematically and thoroughly the conduct of elections in the municipality so that elections are honestly, efficiently and uniformly conducted.
7.15(1)(f)
(f) Discharge election officials for improper conduct or wilful neglect of duties.
7.15(1)(g)
(g) Report suspected election frauds, irregularities or violations of which the clerk has knowledge to the district attorney.
7.15(1)(h)
(h) Review, examine and certify the sufficiency and validity of petitions and nomination papers.
7.15(1)(i)
(i) Direct how and when to destroy the contents of the blank ballot boxes and unused election materials.
7.15(1)(j)
(j) Send an absentee ballot automatically to each person making an authorized request therefor in accordance with
s. 6.22 (4) or
6.86 (2).
7.15(1)(k)
(k) Reassign inspectors appointed to serve at one polling place to another polling place within the municipality whenever necessary to assure adequate staffing at all polling places. No such reassignment may have the effect of eliminating representation at a polling place by one of the political parties entitled to nominate inspectors under
s. 7.30 (2) (a).
7.15(2)
(2) Municipal election duties. 7.15(2)(a)(a) In municipal elections, the municipal clerks shall perform the duties prescribed for county clerks by
s. 7.10.
7.15(2)(b)
(b) Cities over 500,000 population may prepare their own official and sample ballots. Official ballots not utilized as absentee ballots shall be printed so they are ready at least 2 days before the election.
7.15(2)(c)
(c) With the consent of the county clerk, municipalities may prepare their own ballots whenever voting machines or electronic voting systems are used in elections where candidates for both local offices and national, state or county offices appear on the ballot. This paragraph does not apply to cities under
par. (b).
7.15(2)(d)
(d) Whenever the governing body of any municipality submits any question to a vote of the electors or whenever a proper recall petition and certificate are filed under
s. 9.10, the municipal clerk shall issue a call for the election and prepare and distribute ballots as required in the authorization of submission or as provided in
s. 9.10. The date of the referendum shall be fixed by the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners unless otherwise provided by law or unless the governing body fixes a date. The ballot for any referendum shall conform to
s. 5.64 (2). If there is already an official municipal referendum ballot for the election, the question may appear on the same ballot.
7.15(3)
(3) Ballot supply; sample ballots. 7.15(3)(a)(a) Where voting machines are used or where electronic voting systems are employed, the municipal clerk shall provide at least 2 duplicate sample ballots for each ward in diagram form showing the board or screen inside each voting machine or the front of each ballot as it will appear in the voting machines or booths on election day.
7.15(3)(b)
(b) Sample ballots, voting machine ballots and ballot labels for electronic voting systems, whenever the labels are affixed to the voting devices, shall be furnished to the officials in the ward or election district at least one day before each election.
7.15(4)
(4) Recording electors. After each election where registration is used, the municipal clerk shall make a record of each elector who has voted at the election by stamping or writing the date of the election in the appropriate space on the original registration form of the elector. Municipalities employing data processing may, in lieu of this requirement, record voting information in such a manner that it is readily available for retrieval by computer.
7.15(5)
(5) Record of ballots received. Each municipal clerk shall keep a record of when and in what condition the packages containing the ballots were received from the county clerk. The municipal clerk shall deliver to the proper officials the unopened packages of ballots the day before the election.
7.15(6)(a)(a) The municipal clerk shall provide substitute paper ballots in substantially the form of the original ballots whenever the necessary original ballots are not delivered to the municipality, are destroyed, are lost or stolen after delivery, are not ready for distribution or the supply is exhausted during polling hours. The municipal clerk may also provide substitute paper ballots, together with ballot boxes and voting booths, whenever a voting machine or electronic voting system is rendered inoperable by a malfunction which occurs within 24 hours of the time set for opening of the polls. Paper ballots may be cast only in accordance with the procedures prescribed in
ss. 6.80 (2) and
7.37 (4).
7.15(6)(b)
(b) Upon receiving the substitute paper ballots accompanied by a statement made under oath by the municipal clerk that the ballots have been prepared and furnished by the clerk to replace the original ballots which are not available, or to substitute for a voting machine or electronic voting system which has been rendered inoperable by a malfunction which occurred within 72 hours of the time set for opening of the polls, the election officials shall use the substitute ballots in the same manner as if they had been original ballots.
7.15(7)
(7) Request canvass assistance. The municipal clerk may request all election officials to assist the inspectors in canvassing the votes received at the respective polling places.
7.15(8)
(8) Resolving notice doubts. When in doubt as to compliance with the statutory requirements for election notices or the correct fees to be paid for them, the municipal clerk may consult the board.
7.20
7.20
Board of election commissioners. 7.20(1)
(1) A municipal board of election commissioners and a county board of election commissioners shall be established in every city and county over 500,000 population.
7.20(2)
(2) Each board of election commissioners shall consist of 3 members, each member being chosen from lists of at least 3 names each, selected and approved by the county committee of the 2 political parties receiving the most votes for governor in the county in the case of the county board of election commissioners, and receiving the most votes for governor in the city in the case of the city board of election commissioners, in the last general election. The county executive, for the county board of election commissioners, shall select from the list 2 persons from the majority party and one person from the next highest party in the county. The mayor, for the city board of election commissioners, shall select from the list 2 persons from the majority party and one person from the next highest party in the city.
7.20(3)
(3) The persons chosen shall be qualified electors and residents of the state and county and, for the city board of election commissioners, of the city.
7.20(4)
(4) Before beginning their duties as election commissioners each appointee shall take and file the official oath.
7.20(5)
(5) Each board of election commissioners shall choose its own chairperson. An act of a majority of the board is an act of the board.
7.20(6)
(6) The election commissioners shall not hold any other public office and are ineligible for any appointive or elective public office, except the office of notary public, during their term.
7.20(7)
(7) The term of office shall be 4 years, and until successors have been commissioned and qualified, beginning on July 1 each year following a presidential election. Successors shall be appointed the same way.
7.21
7.21
Election commissioners, duties and regulations. 7.21(1)(1) All powers and duties assigned to the municipal or county clerk or the municipal or county board of canvassers under
chs. 5 to
12 shall be carried out by the municipal or county board of election commissioners or its executive director, unless specifically retained or assigned in this section or
s. 7.22.
7.21(2)
(2) The county board of election commissioners may hire an executive director who shall perform whatever duties the board assigns to him or her. The county board shall determine the salary of that executive director. Appointment and removal of that executive director shall be subject to civil service standards. An executive director of the city board of election commissioners shall be appointed under
s. 66.146.
7.21(3)
(3) The board of election commissioners is authorized to employ additional clerical assistants to carry out its necessary duties. The assistants' salaries shall be fixed by the governing body of the municipality or county.
7.21(4)
(4) The board of election commissioners may procure a seal to authenticate official papers and documents.
7.21(5)
(5) The city council and county board shall provide office space in the city hall and county courthouse, respectively, pay all the necessary expenses, cooperate with the board of election commissioners, provide storage space for the election equipment and supplies and assist with the moving and conducting of the elections as necessary.
7.22
7.22
Municipal board of election commissioners. 7.22(1)(1) The common council shall determine the salaries of the election commissioners and shall include sufficient funds in its budget to allow the municipal board of election commissioners to fulfill its duties.
7.22(2)
(2) All expenses shall be paid upon order of the municipal board of election commissioners, signed by the chairperson and executive director and countersigned by the city comptroller. The orders, made payable to persons in whose favor issued, shall be the vouchers for the city treasurer for the payment of the orders.
7.22(3)
(3) The municipal board of election commissioners shall prepare and furnish copies of all registrations, books, maps, instructions and blanks pertaining to the rules for registration and conducting elections for the use and guidance of the election officials.
7.22(4)
(4) The municipal board of election commissioners shall compile and publish a biennial report, containing election statistics and returns of all primaries and elections held within their city and county. Copies of the same shall be distributed to persons in such quantities as the municipal board of election commissioners deems proper.
7.22(5)
(5) The chief of police shall station a police officer at polling places designated by the municipal board of election commissioners for each election.
7.23
7.23
Destruction of election materials. 7.23(1)
(1) All materials and supplies associated with an election, except as provided in
sub. (2), may be destroyed according to the following schedule:
7.23(1)(a)
(a) Any unused materials after an election and the contents of the blank ballot box after a primary may be destroyed at a time and in a manner designated by the appropriate clerk.
7.23(1)(b)
(b) Voting machine recorders essential for proper operation of voting machines may be cleared and reactivated 14 days after any primary and 21 days after any other election.
7.23(1)(c)
(c) Registration cards which are canceled under
s. 6.50 (7) may be destroyed 4 years after cancellation.
7.23(1)(d)
(d) Except as provided in
s. 11.21 (11) (a), financial reports may be destroyed 6 years after the date of receipt. Financial registration statements may be destroyed 6 years after termination of registration.
7.23(1)(e)
(e) Registration and poll lists created at a nonpartisan primary or election may be destroyed 2 years after the primary or election at which they were created and registration and poll lists created at a partisan primary or election may be destroyed 4 years after the primary or election at which they were created.
7.23(1)(f)
(f) Except as authorized in
pars. (b) and
(g), ballots, applications for absentee ballots, registration forms, or other records and papers requisite to voting at any federal election, other than registration cards, may be destroyed after 22 months.
7.23(1)(g)
(g) Detachable recording units and compartments for use with electronic voting machines may be cleared or erased 14 days after any primary and 21 days after any other election. Before clearing or erasing the units or compartments, a municipal clerk shall transfer the data contained in the units or compartments to a disk or other recording medium which may be erased or destroyed 22 months after the election to which the data relates.
7.23(1)(h)
(h) Ballots may be destroyed 30 days after any election.
7.23(1)(i)
(i) Official canvasses may be destroyed 10 years after the election to which they relate.
7.23(1)(j)
(j) Election notices, and proofs of publication and correspondence filed in connection with such notices may be destroyed one year after the date of the election to which they relate.
7.23(1)(k)
(k) All other materials and supplies associated with an election may be destroyed 90 days after the election.
7.23(2)
(2) If there is a demand for a recount, notice of an election contest or any contest or litigation pending with respect to an election, materials may be destroyed and recorders, units or compartments may be cleared or erased only by order of the judge in whose court litigation is pending or if no litigation is pending, by order of any circuit judge for the affected jurisdiction. Upon petition of the attorney general or a district attorney or U.S. attorney for the affected jurisdiction, a circuit judge for the affected jurisdiction may order that specified materials not be destroyed or that specified recorders, units or compartments not be cleared or erased as otherwise authorized under this subsection until the court so permits. The governor may by order permit the clearing of voting machine recorders on machines needed to conduct a special election prior to the time authorized under this subsection, unless there is a demand for recount, notice of an election contest or a contest or litigation pending, or a court of record orders that the recorders not be cleared.
7.24
7.24
Title to election materials. The filing of a nomination paper, ballot application, financial report, affidavit, or other form or statement with the appropriate official or agency responsible for accepting such materials under
chs. 5 to
12 irrevocably transfers the legal title to such official or agency, regardless of the sufficiency of the filing. The official or agency shall retain all election materials until destruction or other disposition is authorized under
s. 7.23.
7.24 History
History: 1975 c. 93;
1979 c. 89.
7.25
7.25
Voting machine officials' duties. 7.25(1)
(1) The municipal clerk of each municipality in which voting machines are used is responsible for the proper ballot being placed on each machine, the sample ballots, setting, adjusting, and putting the machine in order to use in voting when delivered to the ward. For the purpose of labeling, setting, adjusting and putting the voting machines in order, one or more competent voting machine custodians may be employed.
7.25(2)
(2) Under the direction of the municipal clerk, the custodian shall label or insert, set, adjust, put in order and deliver the machines with all necessary furniture and appliances to the rooms where the election will be held for each ward at least one hour before the time set for opening the polls on election day.
7.25(3)
(3) In preparing a voting machine for an election according to the directions furnished, the custodian shall arrange the machine and ballot so both will meet all the requirements for voting and counting the election in the manner provided for in machine construction.
7.25(4)
(4) When a voting machine is properly prepared for an election and delivered to the election ward, it shall be locked and sealed against any movement and the governing body or board of election commissioners shall provide proper protection to prevent tampering with the machines. The custodians preparing the machines shall deliver the keys for the machines to the municipal clerk or executive director of the board of election commissioners together with a written report of each machine's condition.
7.25(5)
(5) Before an election each election official serving at a polling place where voting machines are used shall be instructed in their use and their duties in connection with them by the municipal clerk, who shall call as many meetings to give instructions to the election officials as are necessary. Officials and trainees may be compensated for attendance. Any person who does not understand the machines shall not be paid nor be allowed to serve.
7.25(6)(a)(a) Where voting machines are used, the election officials for each ward shall meet at their proper polling place at least 15 minutes before the time set for opening of the polls to arrange the voting machines and furniture to properly conduct the election.
7.25(6)(b)
(b) Before opening the polls, they shall compare the ballots on the machines with the sample ballots furnished by the municipal clerk to ensure that the names, numbers and letters thereon agree; examine the seal on each machine to see that it has not been broken; and examine the counter on each machine to see that each registers 000. If any counter on any machine does not register 000, the counter number and the number showing on the counter shall be recorded, signed by all the election officials and a copy shall be conspicuously posted by the inspectors at the polling place during polling hours.
7.25(6)(c)
(c) After the inspection under
par. (b), on the blanks furnished, they shall certify the condition of each voting machine and its counters. Each form shall be signed by each election official. After the election, one copy of each machine's certification shall be delivered with each copy of the election returns.
7.30
7.30
Appointment of election officials. 7.30(1)
(1)
Number. There shall be 7 inspectors for each polling place at each election. In municipalities where voting machines are used, the municipal governing body may reduce the number of inspectors to 5. A municipal governing body may provide for the appointment of additional inspectors whenever more than one voting machine is used or wards are combined under
s. 5.15 (6) (b). A municipal governing body may provide by ordinance for the selection of alternate officials or the selection of 2 sets of officials to work at different times on election day. Unless officials are appointed without regard to party affiliation under
sub. (4) (c), additional officials shall be appointed in such a manner that the total number of officials is an odd number and the predominant party under
sub. (2) is represented by one more official than the other party.
7.30(2)
(2) Qualifications and procedure. 7.30(2)(a)(a) Only election officials appointed under this section may conduct an election. Except as authorized in
s. 7.15 (1) (k), each inspector shall be a qualified elector in the ward for which the polling place is established. Special registration deputies appointed under
s. 6.55 (6) and election officials serving more than one ward or when necessary to fill a vacancy under
par. (b) need not be a resident of that ward, but shall be a resident of the municipality. Special registration deputies may be appointed to serve more than one polling place. All officials shall be able to read and write the English language, be capable, be of good understanding, and may not be a candidate, other than for party committeeman or committeewoman, to be voted for at an election at which they serve. In 1st class cities, they may hold no public office other than notary public. Except as authorized under
sub. (4) (c), all inspectors shall be affiliated with one of the 2 recognized political parties which received the largest number of votes for president, or governor in nonpresidential general election years, in the ward or combination of wards served by the polling place at the last election. The party which received the largest number of votes is entitled to one more inspector than the party receiving the next largest number of votes at each polling place. The same election officials may serve the electors of more than one ward where wards are combined under
s. 5.15 (6) (b). If a municipality is not divided into wards, the ward requirements in this paragraph apply to the municipality at large.
7.30(2)(b)
(b) When a vacancy occurs, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the municipal clerk. The vacancy shall be filled from the remaining names on the lists submitted under
sub. (4) or from additional names submitted by the chairperson of the county party committee of the appropriate party under
sub. (4) whenever names are submitted under
sub. (4) (d). If the vacancy is due to candidacy, sickness or any other temporary cause, the appointment shall be a temporary appointment and effective only for the election at which the temporary vacancy occurs. The same qualifications shall be required of persons who fill vacancies. Vacancies may be filled in cases of emergency or because of time limitations by a person from another aldermanic district or ward within the municipality.
7.30(2)(c)
(c) The governing body of any municipality may require all persons serving as election officials to prove their ability to read and write English and to have a general knowledge of the election laws. Examinations may be given to prove the qualifications can be met.
7.30(3)(a)(a) Not less than 30 days before any election the governing body or board of election commissioners of any municipality, by resolution, may authorize the municipal clerk or executive director of the board of election commissioners to select and employ tabulators for any election. Such authorization applies to the elections specified in the resolution, and if not specified, applies until the authorization is modified or revoked.
7.30(3)(b)
(b) The tabulators shall assist and be under the direction of the election inspectors after the close of the polls.
7.30(4)(a)(a) Except in cities where there is a board of election commissioners, the mayor, president or board chairperson of each municipality shall nominate to the governing body no later than their last regular meeting in December of each even-numbered year the necessary election officials for each polling place. If no regular meeting is scheduled, the mayor, president or chairperson shall call a special meeting for the purpose of considering nominations no later than December 31.
7.30(4)(b)
(b) The 2 dominant parties, under
sub. (2), are each responsible for submitting a list of names from which the appointees shall be chosen.
