Under ranked-choice voting, no primary election is held other than a special
primary for a partisan office, the partisan primary, and the presidential preference
primary. At the partisan primary, ranked-choice voting is used to determine the
candidate for each political party on the ballot who shall advance to the general
election. At the special primary, ranked-choice voting is used to determine the
candidate for each political party on the ballot who shall advance to the special
election. At the presidential preference primary, ranked-choice voting is used to
express preferences for the person to be the presidential candidate for each party in
a year in which electors for president and vice president are to be elected.
Finally, the bill authorizes the Elections Commission to make expenditures to
implement and administer ranked-choice voting, including updating equipment
and software and implementing secure technologies, and to make grants to counties
and municipalities for the same purpose.
For further information see the state and 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:
SB240,1
1Section 1
. 5.01 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,3,82
5.01
(4) (a)
If Except as provided under s. 7.62, if 2 or more candidates for the
3same office receive the greatest, but an equal number of votes, the winner shall be
4chosen by lot in the presence of the board of canvassers charged with the
5responsibility to determine the election, or in the case of an election for state or
6national office or metropolitan sewerage commissioner, if the commissioner is
7elected under s. 200.09 (11) (am), in the presence of the chairperson of the elections
8commission or the chairperson's designee.
SB240,2
9Section 2
. 5.01 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,4,210
5.01
(4) (b)
If Except as provided under s. 7.62, if, in a primary, 2 or more
11candidates receive an equal but not the greatest number of votes so that only one of
1those candidates with equal votes may advance to the final election, the choice shall
2similarly be made by drawing lots.
SB240,3
3Section 3
. 5.01 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,4,74
5.01
(4) (c)
The For purposes of pars. (a) and (b), the candidates may, if all those
5tied for the same office are present, draw for themselves. Upon refusal or absence
6of any of the candidates, the board of canvassers shall appoint a competent person
7to draw, and upon the results declare and certify the winner.
SB240,4
8Section 4
. 5.01 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,4,169
5.01
(5) Election of governor and lieutenant governor. (a) In every general
10election to choose the governor and the lieutenant governor,
each elector shall have
11a single vote applicable to both offices. The the persons receiving the
greatest
12number of legal majority of highest-ranked votes cast jointly for them for governor
13and lieutenant governor shall be declared elected, and
the canvassers shall so
14determine and certify if no persons receive a majority of highest-ranked votes cast
15jointly for governor and lieutenant governor, the election shall be determined under
16s. 7.62.
SB240,4,2117
(b)
In case If 2 or more slates have an equal and the highest number of votes
18for governor and lieutenant governor
after the canvass under s. 7.62, the 2 houses
19of the legislature shall at the next annual session choose by joint ballot one of the
20slates so having an equal and the highest number of votes for governor and
21lieutenant governor.
SB240,5
22Section 5
. 5.02 (19) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,4,2423
5.02
(19) “Special election" means any election, other than those described in
24subs. (5), (12s),
and (21)
, and (22), to fill vacancies or to conduct a referendum.
SB240,6
25Section 6
. 5.02 (20r) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,5,3
15.02
(20r) “Special referendum" means any referendum held at a special
2election which is not held concurrently with the elections described in sub. (5), (12s),
3or (21)
, or (22).
SB240,7
4Section 7
. 5.02 (22) of the statutes is repealed.
SB240,8
5Section 8
. 5.05 (1) (g) of the statutes is created to read:
SB240,5,96
5.05
(1) (g) Make grants to counties and municipalities to update equipment
7and software, including the implementation of secure technologies, to administer
8ranked-choice voting under s. 5.20 and the canvass procedure for ranked-choice
9voting under s. 7.62.
SB240,9
10Section 9
. 5.15 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,6,1211
5.15
(6) (b) No later than 30 days before each election, the governing body of
12any municipality may by resolution combine 2 or more wards for voting purposes to
13facilitate using a common polling place. Whenever wards are so combined, the
14original ward numbers shall continue to be utilized for all official purposes. Except
15as otherwise authorized under this paragraph, every municipality having a
16population of 35,000 or more shall maintain separate returns for each ward so
17combined. In municipalities having a population of 35,000 or more, the governing
18body may provide in a resolution that returns for any ward having a population of
1920 or less be combined with returns for any adjacent ward, if the total population of
20the combined wards does not exceed the applicable population range under sub. (2)
21(b) for wards in that municipality. In municipalities having a population of less than
2235,000, the governing body may provide in the resolution that returns shall be
23maintained only for each group of combined wards at any election. Whenever a
24governing body provides that returns shall be maintained only for combined wards
25under this paragraph, the municipality shall report separate results for each
1separate ballot required under ss.
5.58
5.60 to 5.64. The municipal clerk shall
2transmit a copy of the resolution to the county clerk of each county in which the
3municipality is contained. In municipalities having a population of less than 35,000,
4the resolution shall remain in effect for each election until modified or rescinded, or
5until a new division is made under this section. Whenever needed for purposes of this
6paragraph, the municipal clerk shall determine the population of each ward in his
7or her municipality. If the population of a ward cannot be determined from census
8results, the clerk shall determine the population of the smallest unit encompassing
9the entire ward that can be determined from census results. The clerk shall then
10divide the land area of the ward by the land area of that unit. The clerk shall then
11multiply that result by the population of the unit to determine the population of the
12ward for purposes of this paragraph.
SB240,10
13Section 10
. 5.20 of the statutes is created to read:
SB240,6,17
145.20 Ranked-choice voting. (1) In this section, “ranked-choice voting"
15means a voting method in which the electors voting in an election for an elective office
16are permitted to indicate and order their preferences for all candidates whose names
17appear on the ballot for the same office or seat.
SB240,6,19
18(2) Except as provided in ss. 8.05 (1) (L) and 9.10 (3) (d) and (e) and (4) (f), all
19elections shall be conducted using ranked-choice voting.
SB240,7,3
20(3) An elector may rank as many preferences for each office as there are
21candidates for the office whose names appear on the ballot. If more than one seat on
22a governing body is to be filled at large, the procedure under s. 7.62 (3) applies. If
23write-in votes are permitted, a voter may vote for a write-in candidate in addition
24to any candidate whose name appears on the ballot. To indicate a preference, an
25elector shall mark his or her ballot with or cause the voting machine to indicate the
1elector's first choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, and subsequent choices, if any. An elector
2is not required to indicate a choice and is not required to indicate as many choices
3as the elector is eligible to indicate.
SB240,11
4Section 11
. 5.58 of the statutes is repealed.
SB240,12
5Section 12
. 5.60 (1) (ag) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,7,146
5.60
(1) (ag) There shall be one separate ballot for state superintendent,
7judicial officers, county executive, county comptroller in counties having a
8population of 750,000 or more, and county supervisor, except as authorized in s.
95.655. For county supervisor, the ballot shall be prepared in accordance with
ss. 5.58
10(2) and s. 59.10 (3). Arrangement of the names of candidates for county executive,
11county comptroller, county supervisor, and municipal judge, if the judge is elected
12under s. 755.01 (4), shall be determined by the county clerk or the executive director
13of the county board of election commissioners
determining ballot arrangement under
14s. 5.58 (1c), in the manner prescribed in par. (b).
SB240,13
15Section 13
. 5.64 (1) (ar) 1m. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,7,1916
5.64
(1) (ar) 1m. When voting for president and vice president, the ballot shall
17permit an elector to vote only for the candidates on one ticket jointly or to write in
18the names of persons in both spaces
, except that the elector may rank his or her
19preference for each set of candidates as provided under s. 5.20.
SB240,14
20Section 14
. 5.64 (1) (ar) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,7,2421
5.64
(1) (ar) 2. When voting for governor and lieutenant governor, the ballot
22shall permit an elector to vote only for the candidates on one ticket jointly or write
23in the names of persons in both spaces
, except that the elector may rank his or her
24preference for each set of candidates as provided under s. 5.20.
SB240,15
25Section 15
. 5.66 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,8,8
15.66
(1) For local elections, where necessary, municipal clerks shall have
2sufficient ballots printed or otherwise prepared whenever a voting system does not
3utilize printed ballots to assure a ballot for all electors or voting machines. For all
4other elections the municipal clerks shall certify to their county clerk, on the first day
5of the 2nd month preceding the month in which the
primary election is held, the
6approximate number of electors in the municipality. The county clerk shall total
7these estimates and order a sufficient supply to assure ballots for all electors and
8voting machines.
SB240,16
9Section 16
. 5.68 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,8,1610
5.68
(5) If a charge is made for the use of a polling place, the charge shall be
11paid by the municipality establishing the polling place under s. 5.25 (2) unless the
12polling place is used to conduct a special election that is called by a unit of
13government other than the state or the municipality establishing the polling place
14and the special election is not held concurrently with an election specified in s. 5.02
15(5), (12s),
or (21)
, or (22). In such case the charge shall be paid by the unit of
16government that calls the special election.
SB240,17
17Section 17
. 6.80 (2) (g) of the statutes is created to read:
SB240,9,318
6.80
(2) (g) In elections for offices at which ranked-choice voting under s. 5.20
19is used, an elector may rank as many preferences for each office or seat as there are
20candidates whose names appear on the ballot for that office or seat. If more than one
21seat on a governing body is to be filled at large, an elector may rank as many
22preferences for that office or seat as there are candidates whose names appear on the
23ballot for all of the seats to be filled. If write-in votes are permitted, a voter may vote
24for a write-in candidate in addition to any candidate whose name appears on the
25ballot. An elector who indicates preferences for candidates for an office or seat must
1indicate a different preference for each candidate for that office or seat. If an elector
2casts more than one vote for any office or seat without indicating preferences, the
3elector's intent shall be determined as provided under s. 7.62 (4).
SB240,18
4Section
18. 7.08 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,9,95
7.08
(1) (c) Prescribe forms required by ss. 6.24 (3) and (4), 6.30 (4) and (5), 6.33
6(1), 6.47 (1) (am) 2. and (3), 6.55 (2),
and 6.86 (2) to (3)
, and 7.62 (1m). All such forms
7shall contain a statement of the penalty applicable to false or fraudulent registration
8or voting through use of the form. Forms are not required to be furnished by the
9commission.
SB240,19
10Section 19
. 7.10 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,9,1711
7.10
(6) Municipal judge; certified list. If candidates for the office of a
12municipal judge who is elected under s. 755.01 (4) file nomination papers in the office
13of the county clerk and any municipality served by the judge prepares its own ballots
14for voting machines or an electronic voting system, the county clerk shall certify to
15the municipal clerk of that municipality the names of the candidates for judge as soon
16as possible after the last day for filing nomination papers
and after certification by
17the county board of canvassers of the results of any primary election.
SB240,20
18Section 20
. 7.50 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,9,2519
7.50
(1) (b) When an elector casts more votes for any office or measure than he
20or she is entitled to cast at an election, all the elector's votes for that office or measure
21are invalid and the elector is deemed to have voted for none of them, except as
22provided in par. (c) and sub. (2) (d)
and s. 7.62. If an elector casts less votes for any
23office or measure than he or she is entitled to cast at an election, all votes cast by the
24elector shall be counted but no vote shall be counted more than once
, except as
25provided in s. 7.62.
SB240,21
1Section
21. 7.50 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,10,42
7.50
(1) (c) If an elector casts more than one vote for the same candidate for the
3same office, the first vote is valid and the remaining votes are invalid
, except as
4provided in s. 7.62.
SB240,22
5Section 22
. 7.50 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,10,116
7.50
(2) Ascertainment of intent. (intro.) All ballots cast at an election which
7bear the initials of 2 inspectors shall be counted for the person or referendum
8question for whom or for which they were intended, so far as the electors' intent can
9be ascertained from the ballots notwithstanding informality or failure to fully
10comply with other provisions of chs. 5 to 12.
To
Except as otherwise provided under
11s. 7.62, to determine intent:
SB240,23
12Section 23
. 7.50 (2) (hm) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,10,1613
7.50
(2) (hm) In a nonpartisan
primary or election using voting machines
, if an
14elector is permitted to vote for more than one candidate for the same office, a write-in
15vote may not be counted if the vote is cast for a candidate whose name appears on
16the ballot for that office.
SB240,24
17Section
24. 7.51 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,11,918
7.51
(4) (a) The tally sheets shall state the total number of votes cast for each
19office and for each individual receiving votes for that office, whether or not the
20individual's name appears on the ballot, and shall state the vote for and against each
21proposition voted on.
The tally sheets shall also, for each round of tabulation, state
22the total number of highest-ranked preferences received by each candidate and the
23total number of lesser-ranked preferences received by each candidate, indicating the
24total number for each preference. Upon completion of the tally sheets, the inspectors
25shall immediately complete the inspectors' statement. The inspectors shall state the
1excess, if any, by which the number of ballots exceeds the number of electors voting
2as shown by the poll list and shall state the number of the last elector as shown by
3the poll lists. At least 3 inspectors, including the chief inspector and, unless election
4officials are appointed under s. 7.30 (4) (c) without regard to party affiliation, at least
5one inspector representing each political party, but not including any inspector
6appointed under s. 7.30 (1) (b), shall then certify to the correctness of the statement
7and tally sheets and sign their names. All other election officials assisting with the
8tally shall also certify to the correctness of the tally sheets. When the tally is
9complete, the inspectors shall publicly announce the results from the statement.
SB240,25
10Section
25. 7.51 (5) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,11,1611
7.51
(5) (a) 3. The inspectors shall also seal the inspectors' statement, inside
12a separate carrier envelope, and shall similarly seal in a separate carrier envelope
13one tally sheet and one poll list for delivery to the municipal clerk.
The inspectors
14shall enclose the tally sheet provided under s. 7.62 (1m). For school district elections,
15except in 1st class cities, the inspectors shall seal one tally sheet and one poll list for
16delivery to the school district clerk.
SB240,26
17Section
26. 7.53 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,12,2518
7.53
(1) (a) Where the municipality constitutes one ward or combines all wards
19to utilize a single polling place under s. 5.15 (6) (b), the canvass of the votes cast at
20the polling place shall be conducted publicly under s. 7.51 and the inspectors, other
21than any inspector appointed under s. 7.30 (1) (b), shall act as the municipal board
22of canvassers. The inspectors shall then complete the return statement for all votes
23cast at the polling place. If there are no provisional ballots that are eligible to be
24counted under s. 6.97 and no absentee ballots are being canvassed under s. 7.52, the
25inspectors may complete and sign the canvass statement and determination on
1election night. In municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52,
2after the canvass of the absentee ballots is completed under s. 7.52, the board of
3absentee ballot canvassers shall reconcile the poll list of the electors who vote by
4absentee ballot with the corresponding poll list of the electors who vote in person to
5ensure that no elector is allowed to cast more than one ballot. If an elector who votes
6in person has submitted an absentee ballot, the absentee ballot is void. Except as
7authorized in par. (b), if one or more electors of the municipality have cast provisional
8ballots that are eligible to be counted under s. 6.97, the inspectors, acting as the board
9of canvassers, shall reconvene no later than 9 a.m. on the Monday after the election
10to count the valid provisional ballots and shall adjust the returns accordingly. The
11inspectors, acting as the board of canvassers, need not reconvene if the municipal
12clerk certifies that he or she has received no provisional ballots from the time that
13the board of canvassers completed the initial canvass and 4 p.m. on the Friday after
14the election. Upon completion of the canvass under this paragraph and any canvass
15that is conducted under s. 7.52
or 7.62 and ascertainment of the results by the
16inspectors or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52,
17by the inspectors and the board of absentee ballot canvassers, the municipal clerk
18shall publicly read to the inspectors or the board of absentee ballot canvassers the
19names of the persons voted for and the number of votes for each person for each
20municipal office
,; the number of highest-ranked preferences and the number of
21lesser-ranked preferences for each person for each office, indicating the numbers for
22each preference; the names of the persons declared by the inspectors or board of
23absentee ballot canvassers to have won nomination or election to each municipal
24office
,; and the number of votes cast for and against each municipal referendum
25question.
SB240,27
1Section
27. 7.53 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,13,222
7.53
(2) (d) In municipalities with one polling place, the canvass shall be
3conducted under sub. (1) publicly on election night. In other municipalities, the
4municipal board of canvassers shall publicly canvass the returns of every election.
5The canvass shall begin no earlier than the time that the municipal board of
6canvassers receives the returns from all polling places in the municipality on election
7night and no later than 9 a.m. on the Monday after the election. After any canvass
8of the absentee ballots is completed under s. 7.52, the board of canvassers shall
9reconcile the poll list of the electors who vote by absentee ballot with the
10corresponding poll list of the electors who vote in person to ensure that no elector is
11allowed to cast more than one ballot. If an elector who votes in person has submitted
12an absentee ballot, the absentee ballot is void. At the spring election, the board of
13canvassers shall publicly declare the results on or before the 3rd Tuesday in April.
14The board of canvassers shall prepare a statement showing the results of each
15election for any municipal office and each municipal referendum.
After each primary
16for municipal offices, the board of canvassers shall prepare a statement certifying the
17names of those persons who have won nomination to office. After each
other election
18for a municipal office and each municipal referendum, the board of canvassers shall
19prepare a determination showing the names of the persons who are elected to each
20municipal office and the results of each municipal referendum. The board of
21canvassers shall file each statement and determination in the office of the municipal
22clerk or board of election commissioners.
SB240,28
23Section 28
. 7.53 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,14,2524
7.53
(3) (a) In a common, union high
, or unified school district, the school
25district clerk shall appoint 2 qualified electors of the school district prior to the date
1of the election being canvassed who shall, with the school district clerk, constitute
2the school district board of canvassers. If the school district clerk is a candidate at
3the election being canvassed, the other 2 members of the board of canvassers shall
4designate a 3rd member to serve in lieu of the clerk for that election. The school
5district clerk shall appoint a member to fill any other temporary vacancy on the board
6of canvassers. The canvass shall begin no later than 9 a.m. on the Tuesday after the
7election, and shall continue, without adjournment, until completed. The board of
8canvassers may return defective returns to the municipal board of canvassers in the
9manner provided in s. 7.60 (3). If the board of canvassers meets before 4 p.m. on the
10Monday after the election and thereafter receives amended statements, tally sheets,
11and lists from a municipal clerk for provisional ballots that are eligible to be counted
12under s. 6.97 (4), the board of canvassers shall reconvene no later than 9 a.m. on the
13Tuesday after the election and shall adjust the returns accordingly. No later than 4
14p.m. on the Tuesday after the election, the board of canvassers shall complete the
15canvass and shall prepare a written statement showing the numbers of votes cast for
16each person for each office and for and against each question and shall prepare a
17determination showing the names of the persons who are elected to the school board
18and the results of any school district referendum.
Following each primary election,
19the board of canvassers shall prepare a statement certifying the names of the persons
20who have won nomination to the school board. Each statement and determination
21shall be attested by each of the canvassers. The board of canvassers shall file each
22statement and determination in the school district office. The school district clerk
23shall
certify nominations after each primary and issue certificates of election to
24persons who are elected to the school board after each election in the manner
25provided in sub. (4).
SB240,29
1Section
29. 7.53 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,15,92
7.53
(3) (b) In a 1st class city school district, the municipal board of canvassers
3or election commissioners shall determine the results of school district elections and
4referenda and shall file a written statement and determination of the results for each
5election and referendum in the office of the city clerk or board of election
6commissioners. The board of election commissioners or city clerk shall
certify
7nominations after each primary and issue certificates of election to persons who are
8elected to the board of school directors after each election in the manner provided in
9sub. (4).
SB240,30
10Section
30. 7.60 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,16,711
7.60
(4) (a) The board of canvassers shall make separate duplicate statements
12showing the numbers of votes cast for the offices of president and vice president; state
13officials; U.S. senators and representatives in congress; state legislators; justice;
14court of appeals judge; circuit judges; district attorneys; and metropolitan sewerage
15commissioners, if the commissioners are elected under s. 200.09 (11) (am). If a
16municipal judge elected under s. 755.01 (4) serves a municipality that is located
17partially within the county and candidates for that judgeship file nomination papers
18in another county, the board of canvassers shall prepare a duplicate statement
19showing the numbers of votes cast for that judgeship in that county for transmittal
20to the other county. For partisan candidates, the statements shall include the
21political party or principle designation, if any, next to the name of each candidate.
22The board of canvassers shall also prepare a statement showing the results of any
23county, technical college district, or statewide referendum. Each statement shall
24state the total number of votes cast in the county for each office; the names of all
25persons for whom the votes were cast, as returned; the number of votes cast for each
1person;
the number of highest-ranked preferences and lesser-ranked preferences
2cast for each person, indicating the numbers for each preference; and the number of
3votes cast for and against any question submitted at a referendum. The board of
4canvassers shall use one copy of each duplicate statement to report to the elections
5commission, technical college district board, or board of canvassers of any other
6county and shall file the other statement in the office of the county clerk or board of
7election commissioners.
SB240,31
8Section 31
. 7.60 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB240,16,199
7.60
(4) (b) The board of canvassers shall then prepare a written
10determination, in duplicate where necessary, giving the names of the persons elected
11to any county office and to any municipal judgeship if the judge is elected under s.
12755.01 (4) and candidates for that judgeship file nomination papers in that county.
13The board of canvassers shall likewise prepare a written determination showing the
14results of any county referendum.
Following any primary election, the board of
15canvassers shall prepare a statement certifying the names of all persons who have
16won nomination to any county office or any municipal judgeship, if the judge is
17elected under s. 755.01 (4) and candidates for that judgeship file nomination papers
18in that county. The board of canvassers shall file all
statements and determinations
19in the office of the county clerk or board of election commissioners.
SB240,32
20Section
32. 7.60 (4) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 7.60 (4) (c) (intro.) and
21amended to read:
SB240,17,322
7.60
(4) (c) (intro.) In preparing the statements and determinations, the board
23of canvassers shall carefully review the tally sheets and inspectors' statement. The
24board of canvassers may omit the names of individuals whose names do not appear
25on the ballot and who receive a comparatively small number of votes. The board of
1canvassers shall designate votes received by such individuals as scattering votes.
2The board of canvassers shall append
the following to each statement and
3determination
a :
SB240,17,6
41. A tabulation of the votes cast at each election district, ward
, or combination
5of wards authorized under s. 5.15 (6) (b) in the county for each office and each
6individual, whether the votes are canvassed or not
, as well as the.
SB240,17,9
72. The total canvassed votes cast for each individual and each office, except
8where scattering votes are designated.
If any votes are rejected, the board of
9canvassers shall specify the reasons therefor.
SB240,33
10Section
33. 7.60 (4) (c) 3. of the statutes is created to read:
SB240,17,1311
7.60
(4) (c) 3. After elections at which ranked-choice voting under s. 5.20 is
12used, the number of highest-ranked preferences and lesser-ranked preferences for
13each person for each office, indicating the numbers for each choice.
SB240,34
14Section
34. 7.60 (4) (c) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
SB240,17,1615
7.60
(4) (c) 4. For each rejected vote, the board of canvassers' explanation for
16rejecting the vote.
SB240,35
17Section 35
. 7.62 of the statutes is created to read:
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187.62 Canvass procedure for ranked-choice voting. (1) Definition. In
19this section, “continuing candidate” means a candidate that has not been eliminated
20or elected.
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21(1m) Tally sheets. The commission shall prescribe a tally sheet form for
22canvassing of elections in which ranked-choice voting is used. The inspectors shall
23use the form in preparing the returns and shall retain the form as a part of the official
24returns.
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1(2) Single-seat election. (a) For determining the winning candidate for a
2single-seat election using ranked-choice voting, the candidate that receives the
3majority of the highest-ranked preferences for an office or seat shall be elected. If
4no candidate for an office or seat receives a majority of the highest-ranked
5preferences, the candidate who receives the least number of highest-ranked
6preferences shall be eliminated and the next-ranked preferences, if any, indicated
7by the electors who voted for that candidate shall be added to the highest-ranked
8preferences received by the other continuing candidates.
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(b) If more than one continuing candidate receives the least number of
10highest-ranked preferences, the tie shall be resolved as provided under sub. (6). If
11after the reapportionment of preferences a continuing candidate has a majority of
12highest-ranked preferences and reapportioned next-ranked preferences, that
13candidate shall be declared elected. If after the reapportionment of preferences no
14continuing candidate has a majority of highest-ranked preferences and
15reapportioned next-ranked preferences, the apportionment begins again with
16additional choice preferences tallied in the same manner so that the continuing
17candidate with the least number of choice preferences is eliminated and his or her
18choice preferences reapportioned to the remaining continuing candidates.
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(c) Any time during tabulation when the continuing candidate with the least
20number of highest-ranked preferences would be defeated, if there are 2 or more
21candidates for whom it is mathematically impossible to be elected, then all
22continuing candidates for whom it is mathematically impossible to be elected shall
23be eliminated simultaneously. For purposes of this paragraph, continuing
24candidates for whom it is mathematically impossible to be elected include the
25following:
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11. Continuing candidates whose vote total plus the sum of current votes for
2continuing candidates with fewer votes would not be enough to equal or surpass the
3continuing candidate with the next highest current vote total.
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2. Any continuing candidate that has a lower current vote total than a
5continuing candidate for whom it is mathematically impossible to be elected under
6subd. 1.
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(d) Reapportionment of preferences continues under this subsection until a
8continuing candidate has the majority of highest-ranked and reapportioned
9preferences and until the results of the reapportionment and tabulation indicate
10which 2 continuing candidates received the most highest-ranked and reapportioned
11preferences. The continuing candidate with the majority of highest-ranked and
12reapportioned preferences shall be declared elected. If the 2 continuing candidates
13with the most highest-ranked preferences are tied, the tie shall be resolved as
14provided under sub. (6) and the winner declared elected.
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15(3) Multiple-seat election. (a) For determining the winning candidates for
16a multiple-seat election using ranked-choice voting, each candidate that receives no
17less than the number of threshold votes for the open office or seat shall be elected.
18The threshold shall be determined by dividing the total number of votes cast for the
19open offices or seats by the number of such offices or seats, plus one, and adding one
20to the quotient, disregarding any fractions.
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(b) For purposes of this subsection, a first ranked-choice tabulation shall be
22done under this paragraph before a tabulation under par. (c). If the number of
23candidates, other than any undeclared or declared write-in candidate, whose vote
24total is equal to or greater than the threshold determined under par. (a) is equal to
25the number of seats to be filled, those candidates are declared elected. If the number
1of candidates, other than any undeclared or declared write-in candidate, whose vote
2total is equal to or greater than the threshold is less than the number of seats to be
3filled, the canvassers shall perform a tabulation under par. (c).
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(c) After the tabulation under par. (b), the tabulation of votes shall proceed in
5rounds for each office to be counted and the tabulation for each round shall proceed
6sequentially as follows:
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1. The number of votes cast for each continuing candidate for the current round
8shall be counted. If the number of continuing candidates, other than any undeclared
9write-in candidate, whose vote total is equal to or greater than the threshold
10determined under par. (a) is equal to the number of seats to be filled, those continuing
11candidates are elected and the tabulation is complete. Then, if the number of
12continuing candidates, including any undeclared write-in candidates, whose vote
13total is equal to or greater than the threshold determined under par. (a) is equal to
14the number of seats to be filled, those continuing candidates are elected and the
15tabulation is complete. If the number of continuing candidates whose vote total is
16equal to or greater than the threshold is not equal to the number of seats to be filled,
17a new round begins and the tabulation continues as described in subds. 2. and 3.