6.56 Note
NOTE: The bracketed language indicates the correct cross-reference. Corrective legislation is pending.
6.56(4)
(4) After each election, the municipal clerk shall perform an audit 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 marked in accordance with postal regulations to ensure that it will be returned to the clerk if the elector does not reside at the address given on the letter. The letter shall inform the person that all registrations relating to that person may be changed from eligible to ineligible status within 7 days unless the person contacts the office of the clerk to clarify the matter. A copy of the letter and of 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
6.86 (3) (a) 2., 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.
6.56(7)
(7) The board may elect to perform the duties of municipal clerks to conduct the audits required under
subs. (3) and
(4) for any election on behalf of all municipalities in the state. If the board so elects, the board shall, no later than the date of the election for which the audits will be performed, notify the municipal clerk of each municipality that the board will perform the audits.
6.57
6.57
Registration list for special elections. The municipal clerk of each municipality where a special election is held nonconcurrently with a regularly scheduled election shall obtain a copies of the current registration list from the board for use in the special election.
6.57 History
History: 1975 c. 85 s.
30; Stats. 1975 s. 6.57;
1977 c. 394;
2003 a. 265.
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 employees, but does not affect the employees' 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(1m)(1m) The polls at every election shall be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
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.
6.79
6.79
Recording electors. 6.79(1m)(1m)
Separate poll lists. Two election officials at each election ward shall be in charge of and shall maintain 2 separate poll lists containing information relating to all persons voting. The municipal clerk may elect to maintain the information on the lists manually or electronically. If the lists are maintained electronically, the officials shall enter the information into an electronic data recording system that enables retrieval of printed copies of the lists at the polling place. The system employed is subject to the approval of the board.
6.79(2)(a)(a) Unless information on the poll list is entered electronically, the municipal clerk shall supply the inspectors with 2 copies of the most current official registration list or lists prepared under
s. 6.36 (2) (a) for use as poll lists at the polling place. Except as provided in
sub. (6), each person, before receiving a serial number, shall state his or her full name and address. The officials shall verify that the name and address provided by the person are the same as the person's name and address on the poll list.
6.79(2)(b)
(b) Upon the poll list, after the name of each elector, the officials shall enter a serial number for each elector in the order that votes are cast, beginning with number one.
6.79(2)(c)
(c) The officials shall maintain separate lists 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) and shall enter the full name, address, and serial number of each of these electors on the appropriate separate list. Alternatively, if the poll list is maintained electronically, the officials may enter on the poll list the information that would otherwise appear on a separate list if the information that would be obtainable from a separate list is entered on the poll list.
6.79(2)(d)
(d) [If] the poll list indicates that proof of residence under
s. 6.34 is required, the officials shall require the elector to provide proof of residence. If proof of residence is provided, the officials shall verify that the name and address on the document submitted as proof of residence provided is the same as the name and address shown on the registration list. If proof of residence is required and not provided, the officials shall offer the opportunity for the elector to vote under
s. 6.97.
6.79 Note
NOTE: The bracketed language was erroneously deleted by
2005 Wis. Act 451. Corrective legislative is pending.
6.79(2)(dm)
(dm) If the poll list indicates that the elector is ineligible to vote because the elector's name appears on the current list provided by the department of corrections under
s. 301.03 (20) [
s. 301.03 (20m)], the inspectors shall inform the elector of this fact. If the elector maintains that he or she is eligible to vote in the election, the inspectors shall provide the elector with a ballot and, after the elector casts his or her vote, shall challenge the ballot as provided in
s. 6.92 and treat the ballot in the manner provided in
s. 6.95.
6.79 Note
NOTE: The bracketed language indicates the correct cross-reference. Corrective legislation is pending.
6.79(2)(e)
(e) The officials shall then provide each elector with a slip bearing the same serial number as is recorded for the elector upon the poll list or separate list.
6.79(3)
(3) Refusal to give name and address. Except as provided in
sub. (6), 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 proof of residence under
s. 6.15,
6.29 or
6.55 (2), the election officials shall enter the type of identifying document provided on the poll list, or separate list maintained under
sub. (2) (c). If the document submitted as proof of identity or residence includes a number which applies only to the individual holding that document, 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
s. 6.55 (2) (b) or
(c), or the registration identity or residence of any person registering on election day under
s. 6.86 (3) (a) 2., the election officials shall also enter the name and address of the corroborator next to the name of the elector whose information is being corroborated on the poll list, or the separate list maintained under
sub. (2) (c). When any person offering to vote has been challenged and taken the oath, following the person's name on the poll list, the officials shall enter the word "Sworn".
6.79(6)
(6) Confidential names and addresses. An elector who has a confidential listing under
s. 6.47 (2) may present his or her identification card issued under
s. 6.47 (3), or give his or her name and identification serial number issued under
s. 6.47 (3), in lieu of stating his or her name and address under
sub. (2). If the elector's name and identification serial number appear on the confidential portion of the list, the inspectors shall issue a voting serial number to the elector, record that number on the poll list and permit the elector to vote.
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 into the ballot box or deliver it to an inspector, who shall deposit the ballot into the ballot 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 prepared under
s. 5.655 or 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 and fold the completed ballot unless the ballot is intended for counting with automatic tabulating equipment. The elector shall then either personally deposit the ballots to be discarded into the separate ballot box marked "blank ballot box" and deposit the completed ballot into the ballot box indicated by the inspectors, or give the ballots to an inspector who shall deposit the ballots directly into the appropriate ballot boxes. 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 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 individual selected by the elector shall provide proof of residence under
s. 6.34 for the assisted elector, whenever required, and all other information necessary for the elector to obtain a ballot under
s. 6.79 (2). 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 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 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 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 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 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.
6.82 Annotation
An elector with dyslexia may qualify for voter assistance under sub. (2), [1971 stats.]. 62 Atty. Gen. 195.
VOTING ABSENTEE
6.84(1)(1)
Legislative policy. The legislature finds that voting is a constitutional right, the vigorous exercise of which should be strongly encouraged. In contrast, voting by absentee ballot is a privilege exercised wholly outside the traditional safeguards of the polling place. The legislature finds that the privilege of voting by absentee ballot must be carefully regulated to prevent the potential for fraud or abuse; to prevent overzealous solicitation of absent electors who may prefer not to participate in an election; to prevent undue influence on an absent elector to vote for or against a candidate or to cast a particular vote in a referendum; or other similar abuses.
6.84(2)
(2) Interpretation. Notwithstanding
s. 5.01 (1), with respect to matters relating to the absentee ballot process,
ss. 6.86,
6.87 (3) to
(7) and
9.01 (1) (b) 2. and
4. shall be construed as mandatory. Ballots cast in contravention of the procedures specified in those provisions may not be counted. Ballots counted in contravention of the procedures specified in those provisions may not be included in the certified result of any election.
6.84 History
History: 1985 a. 304;
1987 a. 391.
6.85
6.85
Absent elector; definition. An absent elector is any otherwise qualified elector who for any reason is unable or unwilling to appear at the polling place in his or her ward. Any otherwise qualified elector who changes residence within this state by moving to a different ward or municipality later than 10 days prior to an election may vote an absentee ballot in the ward or municipality where he or she was qualified to vote before moving. An elector qualifying under this section may vote by absentee ballot under
ss. 6.86 to
6.89.
6.85 Annotation
Voter residency and absentee voting is discussed. 60 Atty. Gen. 214.
6.855
6.855
Alternate absentee ballot site. 6.855(1)
(1) The governing body of a municipality may elect to designate a site other than the office of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners as the location from which electors of the municipality may request and vote absentee ballots and to which voted absentee ballots shall be returned by electors for any election. The designated site shall be located as near as practicable to the office of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners and no site may be designated that affords an advantage to any political party. An election by a governing body to designate an alternate site under this section shall be made no fewer than 14 days prior to the time that absentee ballots are available for the primary under
s. 7.15 (1) (cm), if a primary is scheduled to be held, or at least 14 days prior to the time that absentee ballots are available for the election under
s. 7.15 (1) (cm), if a primary is not scheduled to be held, and shall remain in effect until at least the day after the election. If the governing body of a municipality makes an election under this section, no function related to voting and return of absentee ballots that is to be conducted at the alternate site may be conducted in the office of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners.
6.855(2)
(2) The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall prominently display a notice of the designation of the alternate site selected under
sub. (1) in the office of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners beginning on the date that the site is designated under
sub. (1) and continuing through the period that absentee ballots are available for the election and for any primary under
s. 7.15 (1) (cm). If the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners maintains a Web site on the Internet, the clerk or board of election commissioners shall post a notice of the designation of the alternate site selected under
sub. (1) on the Web site during the same period that notice is displayed in the office of the clerk or board of election commissioners.
6.855(3)
(3) An alternate site under
sub. (1) shall be staffed by the municipal clerk or the executive director of the board of election commissioners, or employees of the clerk or the board of election commissioners.
6.855(4)
(4) An alternate site under
sub. (1) shall be accessible to all individuals with disabilities.
6.855 History
History: 2005 a. 451.
6.86
6.86
Methods for obtaining an absentee ballot. 6.86(1)(a)(a) Any elector who is registered to vote whenever required and who qualifies under
ss. 6.20 and
6.85 as an absent elector may make written application to the municipal clerk for an official ballot by one of the following methods:
6.86(1)(a)2.
2. In person at the office of the municipal clerk or at an alternate site under
s. 6.855, if applicable.
6.86(1)(a)6.
6. By electronic mail or facsimile transmission as provided in
par. (ac).
