AB982: Bill Text

MPG:amn

2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Assembly BILL 982

February 15, 2022 - Introduced by Representatives Ramthun, Behnke, Brandtjen, Gundrum, Thiesfeldt and Wichgers, cosponsored by Senator Nass. Referred to Committee on Campaigns and Elections.

AB982,1,2 An Act to amend 7.23 (1) (e), 7.23 (1) (f) and 7.23 (1) (g) of the statutes; relating to: retention of certain records and materials after an election.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, all of the following must be retained for at least 22 months after an election:

1. Poll lists created for the election.

2. Subject to limited exceptions, ballots, applications for absentee ballots, registration forms, and other records and papers requisite to voting at a federal election.

3. Subject to a limited exception, data contained in detachable recording units and compartments for use with tabulating equipment for an electronic voting system in an election.

This bill extends that 22-month retention period to 36 months.

For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

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

AB982,1 Section 1. 7.23 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB982,1,5 7.23 (1) (e) Poll lists created for any election may be destroyed 22 36 months after the election at which they were created.

AB982,2 Section 2. 7.23 (1) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB982,2,4 7.23 (1) (f) Except as authorized in par. (g), ballots, applications for absentee ballots, registration forms, or other records and papers requisite to voting at any federal election, other than registration cards, may be destroyed after 22 36 months.

AB982,3 Section 3. 7.23 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB982,2,14 7.23 (1) (g) Detachable recording units and compartments for use with tabulating equipment for an electronic voting system may be cleared or erased 14 days after any primary and 21 days after any other election. Before clearing or erasing the units or compartments, a municipal clerk shall transfer the data contained in the units or compartments to a disk or other recording medium which may be erased or destroyed 22 36 months after the election to which the data relates. The requirement to transfer data does not apply to units or compartments for use with tabulating equipment for an electronic voting system that was approved for use prior to January 1, 2009, and that is not used in a federal election.

AB982,2,15 (End)