AB495: Bill Text

LRB-4464/1

MPG:emw

2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE

2023 Assembly BILL 495

October 18, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives Rozar, Snodgrass, Baldeh, Bare, C. Anderson, Conley, Joers, Krug, Michalski, Murphy, Mursau, Ortiz-Velez, Ratcliff, Shelton and Subeck, cosponsored by Senators Knodl, Spreitzer, Jacque and Wirch. Referred to Committee on Campaigns and Elections.

AB495,1,2 An Act to amend 7.52 (3) (a) of the statutes; relating to: poll list numbers marked on certain absentee ballots.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, in a municipality using a municipal board of absentee ballot canvassers to canvass absentee ballots in an election, the board of absentee ballot canvassers must assign a poll list number to each absent elector and mark the number on the back of the absentee ballot. This bill eliminates the requirement that the poll list number be marked on the back of absentee ballots.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB495,1 Section 1. 7.52 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB495,2,16 7.52 (3) (a) The board of absentee ballot canvassers shall first open the carrier envelope only, and, in such a manner that a member of the public, if he or she desired, could hear, announce the name of the absent elector or the identification serial number of the absent elector if the elector has a confidential listing under s. 6.47 (2). When the board of absentee ballot canvassers finds that the certification has been properly executed and the applicant is a qualified elector of the ward or election district, the board of absentee ballot canvassers shall enter an indication on the poll list next to the applicant's name indicating an absentee ballot is cast by the elector. The board of absentee ballot canvassers shall then open the envelope containing the ballot in a manner so as not to deface or destroy the certification thereon. The board of absentee ballot canvassers shall take out the ballot without unfolding it or permitting it to be unfolded or examined. Unless the ballot is cast under s. 6.95, the board of absentee ballot canvassers shall verify that the ballot has been endorsed by the issuing clerk. If the poll list indicates that proof of residence is required and no proof of residence is enclosed or the name or address on the document that is provided is not the same as the name and address shown on the poll list, the board of absentee ballot canvassers shall proceed as provided under s. 6.97 (2). The board of absentee ballot canvassers shall mark the poll list number of each elector who casts an absentee ballot on the back of the elector's ballot. The board of absentee ballot canvassers shall then deposit the ballot into the proper ballot box and enter the absent elector's name or poll list number after his or her name on the poll list.

AB495,2,17 (End)