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).
6.86(1)(ac)
(ac) Any elector qualifying under
par. (a) may make written application to the municipal clerk for an official ballot by means of facsimile transmission or electronic mail. Any application under this paragraph shall contain a copy of the applicant's original signature. An elector requesting a ballot under this paragraph shall return with the voted ballot a copy of the request bearing an original signature of the elector as provided in
s. 6.87 (4).
6.86(1)(ag)
(ag) An elector who is unable to write his or her name due to physical disability may authorize an application to be made by another elector on his or her behalf. In such case, the application shall state that it is made on request and by authorization of a named elector who is unable to sign the application due to physical disability.
6.86(1)(ar)
(ar) Except as authorized in
s. 6.875 (6), the municipal clerk shall not issue an absentee ballot unless the clerk receives a written application therefor from a qualified elector of the municipality. The clerk shall retain each absentee ballot application until destruction is authorized under
s. 7.23 (1).
6.86(1)(b)
(b) Except as provided in this section, if application is made by mail, the application, signed by the elector, shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on the 5th day immediately preceding the election. If application is made in person, the application shall be made no later than 5 p.m. on the day preceding the election. If the elector is making written application for an absentee ballot at the September primary or general election and the application indicates that the elector is a military elector, as defined in
s. 6.36 (2) (c), the application shall be received by the municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on election day. If the application indicates that the reason for requesting an absentee ballot is that the elector is a sequestered juror, the application shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on election day. If the application is received after 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the election, the municipal clerk or the clerk's agent shall immediately take the ballot to the court in which the elector is serving as a juror and deposit it with the judge. The judge shall recess court, as soon as convenient, and give the elector the ballot. The judge shall then witness the voting procedure as provided in
s. 6.87 and shall deliver the ballot to the clerk or agent of the clerk who shall deliver it to the polling place or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under
s. 7.52, to the municipal clerk as required in
s. 6.88. If application is made under
sub. (2) or
(2m), the application may be received no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the election.
6.86(1)(c)
(c) If an application is made by mail by a military elector, as defined in
s. 6.22 (1) (b), the application shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the election.
6.86(2)(a)(a) An elector who is indefinitely confined because of age, physical illness or infirmity or is disabled for an indefinite period may by signing a statement to that effect require that an absentee ballot be sent to the elector automatically for every election. The application form and instructions shall be prescribed by the board, and furnished upon request to any elector by each municipality. The envelope containing the absentee ballot shall be clearly marked as not forwardable. If any elector is no longer indefinitely confined, the elector shall so notify the municipal clerk.
6.86(2)(b)
(b) The mailing list established under this subsection shall be kept current through all possible means. If an elector fails to cast and return an absentee ballot received under this subsection, the clerk shall notify the elector by 1st class letter or postcard that his or her name will be removed from the mailing list unless the clerk receives a renewal of the application within 30 days of the notification. The clerk shall remove from the list the name of each elector who does not apply for renewal within the 30-day period. The clerk shall remove the name of any other elector from the list upon request of the elector or upon receipt of reliable information that an elector no longer qualifies for the service. The clerk shall notify the elector of such action not taken at the elector's request within 5 days, if possible.
6.86(2m)
(2m) An elector other than an elector who is eligible to receive absentee ballots under
sub. (2) may by written application filed with the municipal clerk of the municipality where the elector resides require that an absentee ballot be sent to the elector automatically for every election that is held within the same calendar year in which the application is filed. The application form and instructions shall be prescribed by the board, and furnished upon request to any elector by each municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall thereupon mail an absentee ballot to the elector for all elections that are held in the municipality during the same calendar year that the application is filed, except that the clerk shall not send an absentee ballot for an election if the elector's name appeared on the registration list in eligible status for a previous election following the date of the application but no longer appears on the list in eligible status. The municipal clerk shall ensure that the envelope containing the absentee ballot is clearly marked as not forwardable. If an elector who files an application under this subsection no longer resides at the same address that is indicated on the application form, the elector shall so notify the municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall discontinue mailing absentee ballots to an elector under this subsection upon receipt of reliable information that the elector no longer qualifies for the service. The clerk shall notify the elector of any such action not taken at the elector's request within 5 days, if possible. If a municipal clerk is notified by an elector that the elector's residence is changed to another municipality within this state, the municipal clerk shall forward the request to the municipal clerk of that municipality and that municipal clerk shall honor the request, except as provided in this subsection.
6.86(3)(a)1.1. Any elector who is registered and who is hospitalized, may apply for and obtain an official ballot by agent. The agent may apply for and obtain a ballot for the hospitalized absent elector by presenting a form prescribed by the board and containing the required information supplied by the hospitalized elector and signed by that elector and any other elector residing in the same municipality as the hospitalized elector, corroborating the information contained therein. The corroborating elector shall state on the form his or her full name and address.
6.86(3)(a)2.
2. If a hospitalized elector is not registered, the elector may register by agent under this subdivision at the same time that the elector applies for an official ballot by agent under
subd. 1. To register the elector under this subdivision, the agent shall present a completed registration form that contains the required information supplied by the elector and the elector's signature, unless the elector is unable to sign due to physical disability. In this case, the elector may authorize another elector to sign on his or her behalf. Any elector signing a form on another elector's behalf shall attest to a statement that the application is made on request and by authorization of the named elector, who is unable to sign the form due to physical disability. The agent shall present this statement along with all other information required under this subdivision. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, the agent shall in every case provide proof of the elector's residence under
s. 6.34. If the elector is registering to vote in the general election and the agent presents a valid driver's license issued to the elector by another state, the municipal clerk shall record on a separate list the name and address of the elector, the name of the state, and the license number and expiration date of the license. If the agent cannot present proof of residence, the registration form shall be signed and substantiated by another elector residing in the elector's municipality of residence, corroborating the information in the form. The form shall contain the full name and address of the corroborating elector. The agent shall then present proof of the corroborating elector's residence under
s. 6.34.
6.86(3)(b)
(b) When each properly executed form and statement required under
par. (a) is presented to the municipal clerk, if the elector who proposes to vote is qualified, an absentee ballot shall be issued and the name of such hospitalized elector shall be recorded by the clerk or special registration deputy. An agent who is issued an absentee ballot under this section shall present documentation of his or her identity, provide his or her name and address, and attest to a statement that the ballot is received solely for the benefit of a named elector who is hospitalized, and the agent will promptly transmit the ballot to such person.
6.86(3)(c)
(c) An application under
par. (a) 1. may be made and a registration form under
par. (a) 2. may be filed in person at the office of the municipal clerk not earlier than 7 days before an election and not later than 5 p.m. on the day of the election. A list of hospitalized electors applying for ballots under
par. (a) 1. shall be made by the municipal clerk and used to check that the electors vote only once, and by absentee ballot. If the elector is registering for the election after the close of registration or if the elector registered by mail and has not voted in an election in this state, the municipal clerk shall inform the agent that proof of residence under
s. 6.34 is required and the elector shall enclose proof of residence under
s. 6.34 in the envelope with the ballot. The ballot shall be sealed by the elector and returned to the municipal clerk either by mail or by personal delivery of the agent; but if the ballot is returned on the day of the election, the agent shall make personal delivery to the polling place serving the hospitalized elector's residence before the closing hour or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under
s. 7.52, to the municipal clerk no later than 8 p.m. on election day.
6.86(4)
(4) If a municipality employs an electronic voting system which utilizes a ballot that is inserted into automatic tabulating equipment, the municipality may distribute ballots for utilization with the electronic voting system as absentee ballots or it may distribute paper ballots as absentee ballots.
6.86(5)
(5) Whenever an elector returns a spoiled or damaged absentee ballot to the municipal clerk, or an elector's agent under
sub. (3) returns a spoiled or damaged ballot to the clerk on behalf of an elector, and the clerk believes that the ballot was issued to or on behalf of the elector who is returning it, the clerk shall issue a new ballot to the elector or elector's agent, and shall destroy the spoiled or damaged ballot. Any request for a replacement ballot under this subsection must be made within the applicable time limits under
subs. (1) and
(3) (c).
6.86 History
History: 1975 c. 85 ss.
37,
38,
65;
1975 c. 90,
199,
200,
275,
422;
1977 c. 394 ss.
14,
40,
41;
1979 c. 232,
311;
1981 c. 391;
1983 a. 183,
484;
1985 a. 304 ss.
69,
156;
1987 a. 391;
1995 a. 313;
1999 a. 182;
2001 a. 51;
2003 a. 265;
2005 a. 451.
6.86 Annotation
The sub. (1) (ar) requirement that an elector must apply for an absentee ballot is mandatory. The ballots of absentee voters who do not file a written application must not be included in certified election results. Lee v. Paulson, 2001 WI App 19,
241 Wis. 2d 38,
623 N.W.2d 577,
00-1626.
6.865
6.865
Federal absentee ballot requests. 6.865(1)
(1) In this section, "military elector" and "overseas elector" have the meanings given under
s. 6.34 (1).
6.865(2)
(2) A federal postcard registration and absentee ballot request form may be used to apply for an absentee ballot under
s. 6.86 (1) if the form is completed in such manner that the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners with whom it is filed is able to determine that the applicant is an elector of this state and of the ward or election district where the elector seeks to vote.
6.865(3)
(3) Except as provided in
sub. (3m), if the elector making a timely request for an absentee ballot is a military elector or an overseas elector and the elector requests that he or she be sent an absentee ballot for the next 2 general elections, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall comply with the request except that no ballot shall be sent for a succeeding general election if the elector's name appeared on the registration list for a previous general election and no longer appears on the registration list for the succeeding general election. If the elector's address for the succeeding general election is in a municipality that is different from the municipality in which the elector resided for the first general election, the clerk or board of election commissioners shall forward the request to the clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality where the elector resides.
6.865(3m)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (c), if any elector who certifies that he or she will be a military elector on election day requests an absentee ballot, the municipal clerk shall send or transmit to the elector an absentee ballot for all elections that occur in the municipality or portion thereof where the elector resides beginning on the date that the clerk receives the request and ending on the day after the 3rd successive general election that follows receipt of the request, unless the elector otherwise requests. In addition, the municipal clerk shall continue to send or transmit to the elector an absentee ballot for all elections ending on the day after the 3rd successive general election that follows any election at which the elector returns an absentee ballot under this section or renews his or her request under
par. (c).
6.865(3m)(b)
(b) A military elector may indicate an alternate address on his or her absentee ballot application. If the elector's ballot is returned as undeliverable prior to the deadline for receipt and return of absentee ballots under
sub. (3) and the elector remains eligible to receive absentee ballots under this subsection, the municipal clerk shall immediately send or transmit an absentee ballot to the elector at the alternate address.
6.865(3m)(c)
(c) If there occur 3 successive general elections at which a military elector fails to return an absentee ballot sent or transmitted to the elector under this subsection and the elector has not cast an absentee ballot at any intervening election, if the clerk is reliably informed that the elector is no longer a military elector or no longer resides in the municipality, or if the elector so requests, the clerk shall discontinue sending or transmitting absentee ballots to the elector under this subsection. If a military elector is subject to a registration requirement and the name of the military elector no longer appears on the registration list, the municipal clerk shall discontinue sending or transmitting absentee ballots to the elector under this subsection. If a military elector who has requested an absentee ballot changes his or her residence from the municipality where a request is filed to another municipality in this state, the municipal clerk of the municipality who received the request shall notify the clerk of the municipality to which the elector's residence is changed of the date of the request or latest renewal and the date of the most recent absentee ballot returned by the elector, and the municipal clerk who is so notified shall treat the request as having been made to him or her. Prior to any discontinuance of the service provided to a military elector under this subsection solely for failure to return absentee ballots, the municipal clerk shall mail the elector a 1st class letter or postcard notifying the elector that absentee ballots will no longer be sent to the elector unless the elector renews his or her request within 30 days of the date of the notification. The clerk shall notify a military elector of any action under this paragraph that is not taken at the elector's request within 5 days of taking that action, if possible.
6.865(4)
(4) If the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners rejects a request for an absentee ballot from a military elector or an overseas elector, the clerk or board of election commissioners shall promptly inform the elector of the reason for the rejection.
6.869
6.869
Uniform instructions. The board shall prescribe uniform instructions for absentee voters. The instructions shall include information concerning the procedure for correcting errors in marking a ballot and obtaining a replacement for a spoiled ballot. The procedure shall, to the extent possible, respect the privacy of each elector and preserve the confidentiality of each elector's vote.
6.869 History
History: 2003 a. 265.
6.87
6.87
Absent voting procedure. 6.87(1)
(1) Upon proper request made within the period prescribed in
s. 6.86, the municipal clerk or a deputy clerk authorized by the municipal clerk shall write on the official ballot, in the space for official endorsement, the clerk's initials and official title.
6.87(2)
(2) Except as authorized under
sub. (3) (d), the municipal clerk shall place the ballot in an unsealed envelope furnished by the clerk. The envelope shall have the name, official title and post-office address of the clerk upon its face. The other side of the envelope shall have a printed certificate in substantially the following form:
[STATE OF ....
County of ....]
or
[(name of foreign country and city or other jurisdictional unit)]
I, ...., certify subject to the penalties of
s. 12.60 (1) (b), Wis. Stats., for false statements, that I am a resident of the [.... ward of the] (town) (village) of ...., or of the .... aldermanic district in the city of ...., residing at ....* in said city, the county of ...., state of Wisconsin, and am entitled to vote in the (ward) (election district) at the election to be held on ....; that I am not voting at any other location in this election; that I am unable or unwilling to appear at the polling place in the (ward) (election district) on election day or have changed my residence within the state from one ward or election district to another within 10 days before the election. I certify that I exhibited the enclosed ballot unmarked to the witness, that I then in (his) (her) presence and in the presence of no other person marked the ballot and enclosed and sealed the same in this envelope in such a manner that no one but myself and any person rendering assistance under
s. 6.87 (5), Wis. Stats., if I requested assistance, could know how I voted.
Signed ....
Identification serial number, if any: ....
The witness shall execute the following:
I, the undersigned witness, subject to the penalties of
s. 12.60 (1) (b), Wis. Stats., for false statements, certify that I am an adult U.S. citizen and that the above statements are true and the voting procedure was executed as there stated. I am not a candidate for any office on the enclosed ballot (except in the case of an incumbent municipal clerk). I did not solicit or advise the elector to vote for or against any candidate or measure.
....(Name)
....(Address)**
* — An elector who provides an identification serial number issued under
s. 6.47 (3), Wis. Stats., need not provide a street address.
** — If this form is executed before 2 special voting deputies under
s. 6.875 (6), Wis. Stats., both deputies shall witness and sign.
6.87(3)(a)(a) Except as authorized under
par. (d) and as otherwise provided in
s. 6.875, the municipal clerk shall mail the absentee ballot to the elector's residence unless otherwise directed by the elector, or shall deliver it to the elector personally at the clerk's office or at an alternate site under
s. 6.855. If the ballot is mailed, and the ballot qualifies for mailing free of postage under federal free postage laws, the clerk shall affix the appropriate legend required by U.S. postal regulations. Otherwise, the clerk shall pay the postage required for return when the ballot is mailed from within the United States. If the ballot is not mailed by the absentee elector from within the United States, the absentee elector shall provide return postage. If the ballot is delivered to the elector at the clerk's office, or an alternate site under
s. 6.855, the ballot shall be voted at the office or alternate site and may not be removed by the elector therefrom.
6.87(3)(b)
(b) No elector may direct that a ballot be sent to the address of a candidate, political party or other registrant under
s. 11.05 unless the elector permanently or temporarily resides at that address. Upon receipt of reliable information that an address given by an elector is not eligible to receive ballots under this subsection, the municipal clerk shall refrain from mailing or transmitting ballots to that address. Whenever possible, the municipal clerk shall notify an elector if his or her ballot cannot be mailed or transmitted to the address directed by the elector.
6.87(3)(d)
(d) A municipal clerk may, if the clerk is reliably informed by an absent elector of a facsimile transmission number or electronic mail address where the elector can receive an absentee ballot, transmit a facsimile or electronic copy of the absent elector's ballot to that elector in lieu of mailing under this subsection if, in the judgment of the clerk, the time required to send the ballot through the mail may not be sufficient to enable return of the ballot by the time provided under
sub. (6). An elector may receive an absentee ballot under this subsection only if the elector has filed a valid application for the ballot under
s. 6.86 (1). If the clerk transmits an absentee ballot under this paragraph, the clerk shall also transmit a facsimile or electronic copy of the text of the material that appears on the certificate envelope prescribed in
sub. (2), together with instructions prescribed by the board. The instructions shall require the absent elector to make and subscribe to the certification as required under
sub. (4) and to enclose the absentee ballot in a separate envelope contained within a larger envelope, that shall include the completed certificate. The elector shall then affix sufficient postage unless the absentee ballot qualifies for mailing free of postage under federal free postage laws and shall mail the absentee ballot to the municipal clerk. Except as authorized in
s. 6.97 (2), an absentee ballot received under this paragraph shall not be counted unless it is cast in the manner prescribed in this paragraph and in accordance with the instructions provided by the board.
6.87(4)
(4) Except as otherwise provided in
s. 6.875, the elector voting absentee shall make and subscribe to the certification before one witness who is an adult U.S. citizen. The absent elector, in the presence of the witness, shall mark the ballot in a manner that will not disclose how the elector's vote is cast. The elector shall then, still in the presence of the witness, fold the ballots so each is separate and so that the elector conceals the markings thereon and deposit them in the proper envelope. If a consolidated ballot under
s. 5.655 is used, the elector shall fold the ballot so that the elector conceals the markings thereon and deposit the ballot in the proper envelope. If proof of residence is required, the elector shall enclose proof of residence under
s. 6.34 in the envelope. Proof of residence is required if the elector is not a military elector or an overseas elector, as defined in
s. 6.34 (1), and the elector registered by mail and has not voted in an election in this state. If the elector requested a ballot by means of facsimile transmission or electronic mail under
s. 6.86 (1) (ac), the elector shall enclose in the envelope a copy of the request which bears an original signature of the elector. The elector may receive assistance under
sub. (5). The return envelope shall then be sealed. The witness may not be a candidate. The envelope shall be mailed by the elector, or delivered in person, to the municipal clerk issuing the ballot or ballots. If the envelope is mailed from a location outside the United States, the elector shall affix sufficient postage unless the ballot qualifies for delivery free of postage under federal law. Failure to return an unused ballot in a primary does not invalidate the ballot on which the elector's votes are cast. Return of more than one marked ballot in a primary or return of a ballot prepared under
s. 5.655 or a ballot used with an electronic voting system in a primary which is marked for candidates of more than one party invalidates all votes cast by the elector for candidates in the primary.
6.87(5)
(5) If the absent elector declares that he or she is unable to read, has difficulty in reading, writing or understanding English or due to disability is unable to mark his or her ballot, the elector may select any individual, except the elector's employer or an agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a labor organization which represents the elector, to assist in marking the ballot, and the assistant shall then sign his or her name to a certification on the back of the ballot, as provided under
s. 5.55.
6.87(6)
(6) Except as provided in
s. 6.221 (3), the ballot shall be returned so it is received by the municipal clerk no later than 8 p.m. on election day. Except in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under
s. 7.52, if the municipal clerk receives an absentee ballot on election day, the clerk shall secure the ballot and cause the ballot to be delivered to the polling place serving the elector's residence before the closing hour. Except as provided in
s. 6.221 (3), the ballot not mailed or delivered as provided in this subsection may not be counted.
6.87(6m)
(6m) Except as authorized in
s. 6.47 (8), the municipal clerk shall withhold from public inspection under
s. 19.35 (1) the name and address of any absent elector who obtains a confidential listing under
s. 6.47 (2).
6.87(7)
(7) No individual who is a candidate at the election in which absentee ballots are cast may serve as a witness. Any candidate who serves as a witness shall be penalized by the discounting of a number of votes for his or her candidacy equal to the number of certificate envelopes bearing his or her signature.
6.87(8)
(8) The provisions of this section which prohibit candidates from serving as a witness for absentee electors shall not apply to the municipal clerk in the performance of the clerk's official duties.
6.87(9)
(9) If a municipal clerk receives an absentee ballot with an improperly completed certificate or with no certificate, the clerk may return the ballot to the elector, inside the sealed envelope when an envelope is received, together with a new envelope if necessary, whenever time permits the elector to correct the defect and return the ballot within the period authorized under
sub. (6).
6.87 Annotation
The directions in sub. (3) for mailing or personal delivery of an absentee ballot and in sub. (6) that a ballot not mailed or delivered as provided in the section should not be counted, are directory and not mandatory. Lanser v. Koconis,
62 Wis. 2d 86,
214 N.W.2d 425.
6.87 Annotation
Sub. (4) is directory and not mandatory, and voters printing their names constituted substantial, albeit nontechnical compliance with the statute's requirements. Lanser v. Koconis,
62 Wis. 2d 86,
214 N.W.2d 425.
6.87 Annotation
A challenge of compliance with procedures for absent voting is within the board of canvasser's jurisdiction. Absent connivance, fraud or undue influence, substantial compliance with statutory voting procedures is sufficient. Appeal From Recount in Election Contest,
105 Wis. 2d 468,
313 N.W.2d 869 (Ct. App. 1981).
6.875
6.875
Absentee voting in nursing and retirement homes and certain community-based residential facilities. 6.875(1)(a)
(a) "Community-based residential facility" has the meaning given in
s. 50.01 (1g), except that the term does not include a place where fewer than 10 adults who are not related to the operator or administrator reside.
6.875(1)(am)
(am) "Nursing home" means a facility occupied by 10 or more unrelated individuals for the primary purpose of obtaining full-time personal or nursing care which is necessitated by their physical or mental conditions, but does not include a hospital.
6.875(1)(as)
(as) "Qualified community-based residential facility" means a community-based residential facility that qualifies under
sub. (2) (b) to utilize the procedures under this section.
6.875(1)(at)
(at) "Qualified retirement home" means a retirement home that qualifies under
sub. (2) (c) to utilize the procedures under this section.
6.875(1)(b)
(b) "Relative" means a spouse or individual related within the 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree of kinship under
s. 990.001 (16).
6.875(1)(c)
(c) "Retirement home" means a facility occupied as a primary place of abode by 10 or more unrelated individuals.
6.875(2)(a)(a) The procedures prescribed in this section are the exclusive means of absentee voting for electors who are occupants of nursing homes, qualified community-based residential facilities or qualified retirement homes.
6.875(2)(b)
(b) The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of any municipality where a community-based residential facility home is located may adopt the procedures under this section for absentee voting in any community-based residential facility located in the municipality if the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners finds that a significant number of the occupants of the community-based residential facility lack adequate transportation to the appropriate polling place, a significant number of the occupants of the community-based residential facility may need assistance in voting, there are a significant number of the occupants of the community-based residential facility aged 60 or over, or there are a significant number of indefinitely confined electors who are occupants of the community-based residential facility.
6.875(2)(c)
(c) The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of any municipality where a retirement home is located may adopt the procedures under this section for absentee voting in any retirement home located in the municipality if the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners finds that a significant number of the occupants of the retirement home lack adequate transportation to the appropriate polling place, a significant number of the occupants of the retirement home may need assistance in voting, there are a significant number of the occupants of the retirement home aged 60 or over, or there are a significant number of indefinitely confined electors who are occupants of the retirement home.
6.875(3)
(3) An occupant of a nursing home or qualified retirement home or qualified community-based residential facility who qualifies as an absent elector and desires to receive an absentee ballot shall make application under
s. 6.86 (1),
(2), or
(2m) with the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality in which the elector is a resident. The clerk or board of election commissioners of a municipality receiving an application from an elector who is an occupant of a nursing home or qualified retirement home or qualified community-based residential facility located in a different municipality shall, as soon as possible, notify and transmit an absentee ballot for the elector to the clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality in which the home or qualified community-based residential facility is located. The clerk or board of election commissioners of a municipality receiving an application from an elector who is an occupant of a nursing home or qualified retirement home or qualified community-based residential facility located in the municipality but who is a resident of a different municipality shall, as soon as possible, notify and request transmission of an absentee ballot from the clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality in which the elector is a resident. The clerk or board of election commissioners shall make a record of all absentee ballots to be transmitted, delivered, and voted under this section.
6.875(4)(a)(a) For the purpose of absentee voting in nursing homes and qualified retirement homes and qualified community-based residential facilities, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of each municipality in which one or more nursing homes or qualified retirement homes or qualified community-based residential facilities are located shall appoint at least 2 special voting deputies for the municipality. Upon application under
s. 6.86 (1),
(2), or
(2m) by one or more qualified electors who are occupants of a nursing home or qualified retirement home or qualified community-based residential facility, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality in which the home or facility is located shall dispatch 2 special voting deputies to visit the home or qualified community-based residential facility for the purpose of supervising absentee voting procedure by occupants of the home or qualified community-based residential facility. The clerk shall maintain a list, available to the public upon request, of each nursing home or qualified retirement home or qualified community-based residential facility where an elector has requested an absentee ballot. The list shall include the date and time the deputies intend to visit each home or facility. The 2 deputies designated to visit each nursing home or qualified retirement home and qualified community-based residential facility shall be affiliated with different political parties whenever deputies representing different parties are available.
6.875(4)(b)
(b) Nominations for the special voting deputy positions described in
par. (a) may be submitted by the 2 recognized political parties whose candidates for governor or president received the greatest numbers of votes in the municipality at the most recent general election. The deputies shall be specially appointed to carry out the duties under
par. (a) for the period specified in
s. 7.30 (6) (a). The clerk or board of election commissioners may revoke an appointment at any time. No individual who is employed or retained, or within the 2 years preceding appointment has been employed or retained, at a nursing home or qualified retirement home or qualified community-based residential facility in the municipality, or any member of the individual's immediate family, as defined in
s. 19.42 (7), may be appointed to serve as a deputy.
6.875(5)
(5) Prior to entering upon his or her duties, each individual appointed to serve as a deputy under this section shall file the oath required by
s. 7.30 (5). In the oath, the individual shall swear that he or she is qualified to act as a deputy under this section, that he or she has read the statutes governing absentee voting, that he or she understands the proper absentee voting procedure, that he or she understands the penalties for noncompliance with the procedure under
s. 12.13, that his or her sacred obligation will be to fully and fairly implement the absentee voting law and seek to have the intent of the electors ascertained. In addition, the oath shall state that the individual realizes that any error in conducting the voting procedure may result in invalidation of an elector's vote under
s. 7.51 (2) (e) and that the individual realizes that absentee voting is a privilege and not a constitutional right. The form of the oath shall be prescribed by the board.
6.875(6)(a)(a) Special voting deputies in each municipality shall, not later than 5 p.m. on the Friday preceding an election, arrange one or more convenient times with the administrator of each nursing home, qualified retirement home, and qualified community-based residential facility in the municipality from which one or more occupants have filed an application under
s. 6.86 to conduct absentee voting for the election. The time may be no earlier than the 4th Monday preceding the election and no later than 5 p.m. on the Monday preceding the election. The municipal clerk shall post a notice at the home or facility indicating the date and time that absentee voting will take place at that home or facility. The notice shall be posted as soon as practicable after arranging the visit but in no case less than 24 hours before the visit. At the designated time, 2 deputies appointed under
sub. (4) shall visit the home or facility.
