6.22(4)(f)
(f) If the municipal clerk is reliably informed that an individual who requests an absentee ballot under this section 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 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. The municipal clerk who is so notified shall treat the request as having been made to him or her.
6.22(4)(h)
(h) The municipal clerk shall notify a military elector of any action under
par. (f) that is not taken at the elector's request within 5 days of taking that action, if possible.
6.22(5)
(5) Voting procedure. Except as authorized in
s. 6.25, the ballot shall be marked and returned, deposited and recorded in the same manner as other absentee ballots. In addition, the certification under
s. 6.87 (2) shall have a statement of the elector's birth date. Failure to return any unused ballots in a primary election does not invalidate the ballot on which the elector casts his or her votes.
6.22(6)
(6) Military elector list. Each municipal clerk shall keep an up-to-date list of all eligible military electors who reside in the municipality in the format prescribed by the commission. The list shall contain the name, latest-known military residence and military mailing address of each military elector. The list shall indicate whether each elector whose name appears on the list is a military elector, as defined in
s. 6.34 (1), and has so certified under
s. 6.865 (3m). All persons over 18 years of age or who will be 18 years old prior to an election shall be listed and remain on the list for the duration of their tour of duty. The list shall be kept current through all possible means. Each clerk shall exercise reasonable care to avoid duplication of names or listing anyone who is not eligible to vote. Each clerk shall distribute one copy of the list to the each polling place in the municipality for use on election day.
6.22(7)
(7) Extension of privilege. This section applies to all military electors for 28 days after the date of discharge from a uniformed service or termination of services or employment of individuals specified in
sub. (1) (b) 1. to
4.
6.24
6.24
Federal overseas voting. 6.24(1)
(1)
Definition. In this section, except as otherwise provided, “overseas elector" means a U.S. citizen who is not disqualified from voting under
s. 6.03, who has attained or will attain the age of 18 by the date of an election at which the citizen proposes to vote and who does not qualify as a resident of this state under
s. 6.10, but who was last domiciled in this state or whose parent was last domiciled in this state immediately prior to the parent's departure from the United States, and who is not registered to vote or voting in any other state, territory or possession.
6.24(2)
(2) Eligibility. An overseas elector under
sub. (1) may vote in any election for national office, including the partisan primary and presidential preference primary and any special primary or election. Such elector may not vote in an election for state or local office. An overseas elector shall vote in the ward or election district in which the elector was last domiciled or in which the elector's parent was last domiciled prior to departure from the United States.
6.24(3)
(3) Registration. The overseas elector shall register in the municipality where he or she was last domiciled or where the overseas elector's parent was last domiciled on a form prescribed by the commission designed to ascertain the elector's qualifications under this section. The commission shall ensure that the form is substantially similar to the original form under
s. 6.33 (1), insofar as applicable. Registration shall be accomplished in accordance with
s. 6.30 (4) or
(5).
6.24(4)(a)(a) An overseas elector who is properly registered may request an absentee ballot in writing under
ss. 6.86 to
6.89.
6.24(4)(b)
(b) A federal postcard registration and absentee ballot request form may be used to apply for an absentee ballot under
par. (a) 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 all of the following:
6.24(4)(b)2.
2. That the applicant qualifies to vote in the ward or election district where he or she seeks to vote under
sub. (2).
6.24(4)(c)
(c) Upon receipt of a timely application from an individual who qualifies as an overseas elector and who has registered to vote in a municipality under
sub. (3), the municipal clerk of the municipality shall send, or if the individual is an overseas elector, as defined in
s. 6.34 (1) (b), shall transmit an absentee ballot to the individual upon the individual's request for all subsequent elections for national office to be held during the year in which the ballot is requested, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, unless the individual otherwise requests or until the individual no longer qualifies as an overseas elector of the municipality. The clerk shall not send an absentee ballot for an election if the overseas 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 overseas 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.
6.24(4)(d)
(d) An overseas elector who is not registered may request both a registration form and an absentee ballot at the same time, and the municipal clerk shall send or transmit the ballot automatically if the registration form is received within the time prescribed in
s. 6.28 (1). The commission shall prescribe a special certificate form for the envelope in which the absentee ballot for overseas electors is contained, which shall be substantially similar to that provided under
s. 6.87 (2). An overseas elector shall make and subscribe to the special certificate form before a witness who is an adult U.S. citizen.
6.24(4)(e)
(e) An overseas elector may file an application for an absentee ballot by means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission in the manner prescribed in
s. 6.86 (1) (ac). Upon receipt of a valid application, the municipal clerk shall send the elector an absentee ballot or, if the elector is an overseas elector, as defined in
s. 6.34 (1) (b) and the elector so requests, shall transmit an absentee ballot to the elector by means of electronic mail or facsimile transmission in the manner prescribed in
s. 6.87 (3) (d).
6.24(5)
(5) Ballots. The commission shall prescribe a special ballot for use under this section whenever necessary. Official ballots prescribed for use in the presidential preference primary may also be used. The ballot shall be designed to comply with the requirements prescribed under
ss. 5.60 (8),
5.62, and
5.64 (1) insofar as applicable. All ballots shall be limited to national offices only.
6.24(6)
(6) Instructions and handling. The municipal clerk shall send a ballot, as soon as available, to each overseas elector by whom a request has been made. The commission shall prescribe the instructions for marking and returning ballots and the municipal clerk shall enclose such instructions with each ballot. The envelope, return envelope and instructions may not contain the name of any candidate appearing on the enclosed ballots other than that of the municipal clerk affixed in the fulfillment of his or her duties. Except as authorized in
s. 6.87 (3), the municipal clerk shall mail the material, with sufficient postage to ensure that the elector receives the ballot, unless the material qualifies for mailing free of postage under federal free postage laws. If the return envelope 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 municipal 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 overseas elector from within the United States, the overseas elector shall provide return postage.
6.24(7)
(7) Voting procedure. Except as authorized under
s. 6.25, the ballot shall be marked and returned, deposited and recorded in the same manner as other absentee ballots. In addition, the certificate shall have a statement of the elector's birth date. Failure to return the unused ballots in a primary election does not invalidate the ballot on which the elector casts his or her votes.
6.25
6.25
Write-in absentee ballot. 6.25(1)(a)(a) Any individual who qualifies as a military elector under
s. 6.22 (1) (b) and who transmits an application for an official absentee ballot for any election, including a primary election, no later than the latest time specified for the 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 for an office listed on the official ballot or for all of the candidates of any recognized political party for the offices 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).
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).
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.
EL 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 commission 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 Note
NOTE: This section is repealed by
2015 Wis. Act 261 effective the day the legislative reference bureau receives from the government accountability board or the elections commission the notice required under section 109 of Act 261.
6.26 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
EL 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) 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 [commission] and the county clerk or board of election commissioners of each county in which the municipality is located specifying:
6.275 Note
NOTE: The correct word is shown in brackets. Corrective legislation is pending.
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) (a), including valid mail registrations which are postmarked by that day and valid electronic registrations entered under
s. 6.30 (5).
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 elections commission 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 elections commission and the county clerk or county board of election commissioners.
6.275(2)
(2) Upon receipt of each report filed under this section, the commission shall, within 7 days of receiving the report, publish the information on its Internet site. The commission 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 commission 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 commission 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.
6.28
6.28
Where and when to register. 6.28(1)
(1)
Registration deadline; locations. 6.28(1)(a)(a) Except as authorized in
ss. 6.29,
6.55 (2), and
6.86 (3) (a) 2., registration in person for an election closes 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. Electronic registration under
s. 6.30 (5) for an election closes at 11:59 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday preceding the election. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may assign election registration officials to register electors who apply for an in-person absentee ballot under
s. 6.86 (1) (b) or to register electors at a polling place on election day or at a residential care facility, as defined under
s. 6.875 (1) (bm).
6.28(1)(b)
(b) 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. 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 Note
NOTE: In One Wisconsin Now et al. v. Thomsen et al, 15-cv-324, the United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin ordered that “the increase of the durational residency requirement from 10 days to 28 days is unconstitutional." Appeal pending 9-20-16.
6.29(2)(am)
(am) The commission 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(4)
(4) By mail. Any eligible elector may register by mail on a form prescribed by the commission and provided by each municipality. The form shall be designed to obtain the information required in
s. 6.33 (1). 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(5)
(5) By electronic application. An eligible elector who holds a current and valid operator's license issued under
ch. 343 or a current and valid identification card issued under
s. 343.50 may register electronically in the manner prescribed by the commission. The commission shall maintain on the Internet a secure registration form that enables the elector to enter the information required under
s. 6.33 (1) electronically. An elector who registers electronically under this subsection must authorize the commission to obtain from the department of transportation an electronic copy of the elector's signature, which signature shall constitute an affirmance that all information provided by the elector is correct and shall have the same effect as if the elector had signed the application personally. The commission shall include on the registration form a place for the elector to give this authorization. Upon submittal of the electronic application, the commission shall obtain from the department of transportation a copy of the electronic signature of the elector. The commission shall maintain the application on file and shall notify the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality where the elector resides of its receipt of each completed application. The commission shall also permit any elector who has a current and valid operator's license issued to the elector under
ch. 343 or a current and valid identification card issued under
s. 343.50 to make changes in his or her registration at the same Internet site that is used by electors for original registration under this subsection. An elector shall attest to the correctness of any changes in the same manner as provided in this subsection for information entered on an application for original registration.
6.30 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
EL 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 by electronic application under
s. 6.30 (5), the commission or municipal clerk shall examine the form for sufficiency.
6.32(2)
(2) If the form is insufficient to accomplish registration or the commission or clerk knows or has reliable information that the proposed elector is not qualified, the commission or clerk shall notify the proposed elector within 5 days, if possible, and request that the elector appear at the clerk's office or another registration location 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 commission or 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 commission or clerk has no reliable information to indicate that the proposed elector is not qualified, the commission or 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 commission or clerk is informed of a different address than the one specified by the elector, the commission or 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 commission or clerk if the elector does not reside at the address given on the letter or postcard.
