6.25(1)(b)
(b) Any individual who qualifies as an overseas elector under
s. 6.24 (1) and who transmits an application for an official absentee ballot for an election for national office, including a primary election, no later than the latest time specified for an elector in
s. 6.86 (1) (b) may, in lieu of the official ballot, cast a federal write-in absentee ballot prescribed under
42 USC 1973ff-2 for any candidate or for all candidates of any recognized political party for national office listed on the official ballot at that election, if the federal write-in absentee ballot is received by the appropriate municipal clerk no later than the applicable time prescribed in
s. 6.87 (6) or
7.515 (3).
6.25(1)(c)
(c) A completed and signed federal write-in absentee ballot submitted by a qualified elector under
par. (a) serves as an application for an absentee ballot and need not be accompanied by a separate application.
6.25(4)
(4) A write-in absentee ballot issued under
sub. (1) is valid only if the elector submitting the ballot does not submit an official ballot within the time prescribed in
s. 6.87 (6) and, if the elector is an overseas elector, the elector resides outside the United States.
REGISTRATION
Subch. II of ch. 6 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
GAB 3, Wis. adm. code.
6.26
6.26
Special registration deputies. 6.26(1)
(1) The municipal clerk or the board of election commissioners of each municipality shall administer elector registration within the municipality in accordance with the procedures prescribed under
sub. (3).
6.26(2)(a)(a) A qualified elector of the state may apply to any municipal clerk or board of election commissioners to be appointed as a special registration deputy for the purpose of registering electors of the municipality prior to the close of registration. An applicant may be appointed by more than one municipal clerk or board of election commissioners to serve more than one municipality.
6.26(2)(b)
(b) The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may appoint any applicant who qualifies under this subsection, unless the applicant's appointment has been revoked by a municipality for cause. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may revoke an appointment made by the clerk or board of election commissioners for cause at any time.
6.26(2)(c)
(c) No individual may serve as a special registration deputy in a municipality unless the individual is appointed by the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality and the individual completes training required under
s. 7.315.
6.26(2)(cm)
(cm) Each municipal clerk shall maintain a record of the names and addresses of each individual who is appointed by the clerk to serve as a special registration deputy under this section and who has complied with the training requirements for service as a special registration deputy under
s. 7.315 (1) (b) 1.
6.26(3)
(3) The board shall, by rule, prescribe procedures for appointment of special registration deputies, for revocation of appointments of special registration deputies, and for training of special registration deputies by municipal clerks and boards of election commissioners. The procedures shall be coordinated with training programs for special registration deputies conducted by municipal clerks under
s. 7.315 and shall be formulated to promote increased registration of electors consistent with the needs of municipal clerks and boards of election commissioners to efficiently administer the registration process.
6.26(4)
(4) Each special registration deputy under this section who obtains a registration form from an elector shall print his or her name on and sign the form, affirming that the deputy has accepted the form.
6.26 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
GAB 3, Wis. adm. code.
6.27
6.27
Elector registration required. Each elector shall register under this chapter before voting in any election, except as authorized under
ss. 6.15,
6.18, and
6.22.
6.275
6.275
Registration and voting statistics. 6.275(1)
(1) Within 30 days after each primary and election at which a state or national office is filled or a statewide referendum is held, including any special election, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall make a written statement in duplicate to the county clerk or board of election commissioners of each county in which the municipality is located specifying:
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (1) (intro.) is amended eff. 1-1-16 by
2013 Wis. Act 148 to read:
Effective date text
(1) Except as provided in par. (f), no later than 30 days after each primary and election at which a state or national office is filled or a statewide referendum is held, including any special election, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall submit electronically a report to the board and the county clerk or board of election commissioners of each county in which the municipality is located specifying:
6.275(1)(a)
(a) The total number of electors residing in that county who voted in the municipality in that primary or election.
6.275(1)(b)
(b) The total number of electors of the municipality residing in that county who were preregistered on the deadline specified in
s. 6.28 (1), including valid mail registrations which are postmarked by that day.
6.275(1)(c)
(c) The total number of electors of the municipality residing in that county who registered after the close of registration and prior to the day of the primary or election under
ss. 6.29 and
6.86 (3) (a) 2.
6.275(1)(d)
(d) The total number of electors of the municipality residing in that county who registered on the day of the primary or election under
ss. 6.55 and
6.86 (3) (a) 2.
6.275(1)(e)
(e) The total number of electors of the municipality voting absentee ballots at the primary or election.
6.275(1)(f)
(f) The total number of postcards sent by the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners under
s. 6.56 (3), the total number of such postcards returned to the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners because the elector did not reside at the address given on the postcard, the total number of electors whose status was changed from eligible to ineligible on the registration list as a result of the audit under
s. 6.56 (3), and the number of individuals referred to the district attorney under
s. 6.56 (3). The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall provide the information described under this paragraph to the board and the county clerk or county board of election commissioners at the earliest practicable time after, but no later than 90 days after, each primary and election at which a state or national office is filled or a statewide referendum is held, including any special election. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall update the information described under this paragraph on a monthly basis and shall submit, on a monthly basis, any such updated information to the board and the county clerk or county board of election commissioners.
6.275(2)
(2) Upon receipt of each report filed under this section, the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall forward one copy to the board within 7 days.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (2) is amended eff. 1-1-16 by
2013 Wis. Act 148 to read:
Effective date text
(2) Upon receipt of each report filed under this section, the board shall, within 7 days of receiving the report, publish the information on its Internet site. The board shall update the information published under this subsection on a monthly basis.
6.276
6.276
Federal absentee voting statistics. 6.276(1)
(1) In this section, "military elector" and "overseas elector" have the meanings given in
s. 6.34 (1).
6.276(2)
(2) Within 30 days after each general election, each municipal clerk shall transmit to the board a report of the number of absentee ballots transmitted by the clerk to absent military electors and overseas electors for that election and the combined number of those ballots that were cast by those electors in that election.
6.276(3)
(3) Within 90 days after each general election, the board shall compile the information contained in the reports received from municipal clerks under
sub. (2) and transmit the information to the federal Election Assistance Commission.
6.276 History
History: 2003 a. 265;
2005 a. 451.
6.28
6.28
Where and when to register. 6.28(1)
(1)
Registration locations; deadline. Except as authorized in
ss. 6.29,
6.55 (2), and
6.86 (3) (a) 2., registration in person for any election shall close at 5 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday preceding the election. Registrations made by mail under
s. 6.30 (4) must be delivered to the office of the municipal clerk or postmarked no later than the 3rd Wednesday preceding the election. All applications for registration corrections and additions may be made throughout the year at the office of the city board of election commissioners, at the office of the municipal clerk, at the office of the county clerk, or at other locations provided by the board of election commissioners or the common council in cities over 500,000 population or by either or both the municipal clerk, or the common council, village or town board in all other municipalities. Other registration locations may include but are not limited to fire houses, police stations, public libraries, institutions of higher education, supermarkets, community centers, plants and factories, banks, savings and loan associations and savings banks. Special registration deputies shall be appointed for each location unless the location can be sufficiently staffed by the board of election commissioners or the municipal clerk or his or her deputies. An elector who wishes to obtain a confidential listing under
s. 6.47 (2) shall register at the office of the municipal clerk of the municipality where the elector resides.
6.28(4)
(4) At the office of the county clerk. Any person shall be given an opportunity to register to vote at the office of the county clerk for the county in which the person's residence is located. An applicant may complete the required registration form under
s. 6.33. Unless the county clerk performs registration functions for the municipality where the elector resides under
s. 6.33 (5) (b), the county clerk shall forward the form submitted by an elector to the appropriate municipal clerk, or to the board of election commissioners in cities over 500,000 population within 5 days of receipt. The clerk shall forward the form immediately whenever registration closes within 5 days of receipt.
6.29
6.29
Late registration in person. 6.29(1)
(1) No names may be added to a registration list for any election after the close of registration, except as authorized under this section or
s. 6.55 (2) or
6.86 (3) (a) 2. Any person whose name is not on the registration list but who is otherwise a qualified elector is entitled to vote at the election upon compliance with this section, if the person complies with all other requirements for voting at the polling place.
6.29(2)(a)(a) Any qualified elector of a municipality who has not previously filed a registration form or whose name does not appear on the registration list of the municipality may register after the close of registration but not later than 5 p.m. or the close of business, whichever is later, on the Friday before an election at the office of the municipal clerk and at the office of the clerk's agent if the clerk delegates responsibility for electronic maintenance of the registration list to an agent under
s. 6.33 (5) (b). The elector shall complete, in the manner provided under
s. 6.33 (2), a registration form containing all information required under
s. 6.33 (1). The registration form shall also 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 28 consecutive days immediately preceding this election, and I have not voted at this election". The elector shall also provide proof of residence under
s. 6.34.
6.29(2)(am)
(am) The board shall provide to each municipal clerk a list prepared for use at each municipal clerk's office showing the name and address of each person whose name appears on the list provided by the department of corrections under
s. 301.03 (20m) as ineligible to vote on the date of the election, whose address is located in the municipality, and whose name does not appear on the registration list for that municipality. Prior to permitting an elector to register to vote under this subsection, the municipal clerk shall review the list. If the name of an elector who wishes to register to vote appears on the list, the municipal clerk shall inform the elector that the elector is ineligible to register to vote. If the elector maintains that he or she is eligible to vote in the election, the municipal clerk shall permit the elector to register to vote but shall mark the elector's registration form as "ineligible to vote per Department of Corrections." If the elector wishes to vote, the municipal clerk shall challenge the elector's ballot in the same manner as provided for inspectors who challenge ballots under
s. 6.79 (2) (dm).
6.29(2)(b)
(b) Upon the filing of the registration form required by this section, the municipal clerk or clerk's agent under
s. 6.33 (5) (b) shall enter the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence, the name of the entity or institution that issued the identifying document, and, if the identifying document includes a number that applies only to the individual holding that document, the last 4 digits of that number on the registration form. If the number on the identifying document submitted by the elector has 6 or fewer digits, the clerk shall enter only the last 2 digits of that number. The municipal clerk or clerk's agent under
s. 6.33 (5) (b) shall issue a certificate containing the name and address of the elector addressed to the inspectors of the proper ward or election district directing that the elector be permitted to cast his or her vote if the elector complies with all requirements for voting at the polling place. The certificate shall be numbered serially, prepared in duplicate and one copy preserved in the office of the municipal clerk.
6.29(2)(c)
(c) At the time he or she appears at the correct polling place, the elector shall deliver any certificate issued under
par. (b) to the inspectors. If the elector applies for and obtains an absentee ballot, any certificate shall be annexed to and mailed with the absentee ballot to the office of the municipal clerk.
6.29(2)(d)
(d) The inspectors shall record the names of electors who present certificates in person or for whom certificates are presented with absentee ballots under this section on the list maintained under
s. 6.56 (1). These names shall then be added to the registration list if the electors are qualified.
6.30
6.30
How to register. 6.30(1)(1)
In person. An elector shall apply for registration in person, except as provided under
sub. (4) and
s. 6.86 (3) (a) 2.
6.30(4)
(4) By mail. Any eligible elector may register by mail on a form prescribed by the board and provided by each municipality. The form shall be designed to obtain the information required in
ss. 6.33 (1) and to provide for changes authorized under
s. 6.40 (1) (a). The form shall contain a certification by the elector that all statements are true and correct. The form shall be prepostpaid for return when mailed at any point within the United States. The form shall be available in the municipal clerk's office and may be distributed by any elector of the municipality. The clerk shall mail a registration form to any elector upon written or oral request.
6.30 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
GAB 3, Wis. adm. code.
6.32
6.32
Verification of certain registrations. 6.32(1)
(1) Upon receipt of a registration form that is submitted by mail under
s. 6.30 (4) or that is submitted by a special registration deputy appointed under
s. 6.26, the municipal clerk shall examine the form for sufficiency.
6.32(2)
(2) If the form is insufficient to accomplish registration or the clerk knows or has reliable information that the proposed elector is not qualified, the clerk shall notify the proposed elector within 5 days, if possible, and request that the elector appear at the clerk's office or other registration center to complete a proper registration or substantiate the information presented.
6.32(3)
(3) If the form is submitted later than the close of registration, the clerk shall make a good faith effort to notify the elector that he or she may register at the clerk's office under
s. 6.29 or at the proper polling place or other location designated under
s. 6.55 (2).
6.32(4)
(4) If the form is sufficient to accomplish registration and the clerk has no reliable information to indicate that the proposed elector is not qualified, the clerk shall enter the elector's name on the registration list and transmit a 1st class letter or postcard to the registrant, specifying the elector's ward or aldermanic district, or both, if any, and polling place. The letter or postcard shall be sent within 10 days of receipt of the form. If the letter or postcard is returned, or if the clerk is informed of a different address than the one specified by the elector, the clerk shall change the status of the elector on the list from eligible to ineligible. The letter or postcard shall be 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 or postcard.
6.325
6.325
Disqualification of electors. No person may be disqualified as an elector unless the municipal clerk, board of election commissioners or a challenging elector under
s. 6.48 demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that the person does not qualify as an elector or is not properly registered. If it appears that the challenged elector is registered at a residence in this state other than the one where the elector now resides, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall, before permitting the elector to vote, require the elector to transfer his or her registration under
s. 6.40 (1) (a) and shall notify the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners at the former residence. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may require naturalized applicants to show their naturalization certificates.
6.33
6.33
Registration forms; manner of completing. 6.33(1)(1) The board shall prescribe the format, size, and shape of registration forms. All forms shall be printed on cards and each item of information shall be of uniform font size, as prescribed by the board. The municipal clerk shall supply sufficient forms to meet voter registration needs. The forms shall be designed to obtain from each applicant information as to name; date; residence location; location of previous residence immediately before moving to current residence location; citizenship; date of birth; age; the number of a current and valid operator's license issued to the elector under
ch. 343 or the last 4 digits of the elector's social security account number; whether the applicant has resided within the ward or election district for at least 28 consecutive days; whether the applicant has been convicted of a felony for which he or she has not been pardoned, and if so, whether the applicant is incarcerated, or on parole, probation, or extended supervision; whether the applicant is disqualified on any other ground from voting; and whether the applicant is currently registered to vote at any other location. The form shall include a space for the applicant's signature. Below the space for the signature, the form shall state "Falsification of information on this form is punishable under Wisconsin law as a Class I felony.". The form shall include a space to enter the name of any special registration deputy under
s. 6.26 or
6.55 (6) or inspector, municipal clerk, or deputy clerk under
s. 6.55 (2) who obtains the form and a space for the deputy, inspector, clerk, or deputy clerk to sign his or her name, affirming that the deputy, inspector, clerk, or deputy clerk has accepted the form. The form shall include a space for entry of the ward and aldermanic district, if any, where the elector resides and any other information required to determine the offices and referenda for which the elector is certified to vote. The form shall also include a space where the clerk may record an indication of whether the form is received by mail, a space where the clerk shall record an indication of the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence under
s. 6.34, the name of the entity or institution that issued the identifying document, and, if the identifying document includes a number that applies only to the individual holding that document, that number. The form shall also include a space where the clerk, for any applicant who possesses a valid voting identification card issued to the person under
s. 6.47 (3), may record the identification serial number appearing on the voting identification card. Each county clerk shall obtain sufficient registration forms for completion by an elector who desires to register to vote at the office of the county clerk under
s. 6.28 (4).
6.33(2)(a)(a) All information may be recorded by any person, except that the ward and aldermanic district, if any, other geographic information under
sub. (1), the indication of whether the registration is received by mail, the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence under
s. 6.34, and any information relating to an applicant's voting identification card shall be recorded by the clerk. Each applicant shall sign his or her own name unless the applicant is unable to sign his or her name due to physical disability. In such case, the applicant may authorize another elector to sign the form on his or her behalf. If the applicant so authorizes, the elector signing the form shall attest to a statement that the application is made upon request and by authorization of a named elector who is unable to sign the form due to physical disability.
6.33(2)(b)
(b) Except as provided in
s. 6.86 (3) (a) 2., the registration form shall be signed by the registering elector before the clerk, issuing officer or registration deputy. The form shall contain a certification by the registering elector that all statements are true and correct.
6.33(4)
(4) When an individual's registration is changed from eligible to ineligible status, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall enter the date and reason for change on the registration list.
6.33(5)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (b) and this paragraph, whenever a municipal clerk receives a valid registration or valid change of a name or address under an existing registration and whenever a municipal clerk changes a registration from eligible to ineligible status, the municipal clerk shall promptly enter electronically on the list maintained by the board under
s. 6.36 (1) the information required under that subsection. Except as provided in
par. (b) and this paragraph, the municipal clerk may update any entries that change on the date of an election other than a general election within 30 days after the date of that election, and may update any entries that change on the date of a general election within 45 days after the date of that election. The legal counsel of the board may, upon request of a municipal clerk, permit the clerk to update entries that change on the date of a general election within 60 days after that election. The municipal clerk shall provide to the board information that is confidential under
s. 6.47 (2) in such manner as the board prescribes.
6.33(5)(b)
(b) The municipal clerk of any municipality may, by mutual consent, designate any other municipal clerk or any county clerk as the clerk's agent to carry out the functions of the municipal clerk under this section for that municipality. The municipal clerk shall notify the county clerk of each county in which the municipality is located and the board of any such designation in writing. The municipal clerk may, by similar notice to the clerk's agent at least 14 days prior to the effective date of any change, discontinue the designation. If the municipal clerk designates another municipal clerk or a county clerk as his or her agent, the municipal clerk shall immediately forward all registration changes filed with the clerk and voting record information obtained by the clerk to the clerk's agent for electronic entry on the registration list.
6.33 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also s.
GAB 3.02, Wis. adm. code.
6.34
6.34
Proof of residence required. 6.34(1)(a)
(a) "Military elector" means a member of a uniformed service on active duty who, by reason of that duty, is absent from the residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote; a member of the merchant marine, as defined in
s. 6.22 (1) (a), who by reason of service in the merchant marine, is absent from the residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote; or the spouse or dependent of any such member who, by reason of the duty or service of the member, is absent from the residence where the spouse or dependent is otherwise qualified to vote.
6.34(1)(b)
(b) "Overseas elector" means an elector who resides outside the United States and who is qualified under federal law to vote in elections for national office in this state because the elector was last domiciled in this state immediately prior to the elector's departure from the United States.
6.34(2)
(2) Upon completion of a registration form prescribed under
s. 6.33, each eligible elector who is required to register under
s. 6.27, who is not a military elector or an overseas elector, shall provide an identifying document that establishes proof of residence under
sub. (3). If the elector registered by mail, the identifying document may not be a residential lease.
6.34(3)(a)(a) An identifying document used to establish proof of an elector's residence under
sub. (2) shall contain the information required under
par. (b) and is limited to one of the following:
6.34(3)(a)1.
1. A current and valid operator's license issued under
ch. 343.
6.34(3)(a)3.
3. Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
6.34(3)(a)4.
4. An official identification card or license issued by an employer in the normal course of business that contains a photograph of the cardholder or license holder, but not including a business card.
