This is the preview version of the Wisconsin State Legislature site.
Please see http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov for the production version.
Electronic voter registrations
Under current law, an individual holding a valid driver's license or
identification card issued by the Department of Transportation and who is eligible
to vote in Wisconsin may register electronically. The Elections Commission
maintains an Internet site that is used by voting-eligible individuals for purposes
of electronic registration, currently titled MyVote Wisconsin. Current law requires
the commission to provide a secure registration form on that Internet site that
enables the individual to enter and update the information necessary for purposes
of voter registration. Upon the voter's authorization, the commission obtains the
individual's electronic signature from DOT for purposes of authenticating the
information provided by the individual. The bill requires the Elections Commission
to maintain a version of the completed application that contains the voter's electronic
signature.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB201-ASA1,1 1Section 1 . 6.18 (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB201-ASA1,5,15 26.18 Former residents. (intro.) If ineligible to qualify as an elector in the
3state to which the elector has moved, any former qualified Wisconsin elector may

1vote an absentee ballot in the ward of the elector's prior residence in any presidential
2election occurring within 24 months after leaving Wisconsin by requesting an
3application form and returning it, properly executed, to the municipal clerk of the
4elector's prior Wisconsin residence. When requesting an application form for an
5absentee ballot, the applicant shall specify the applicant's eligibility for only the
6presidential ballot. Unless the applicant is exempted from providing proof of
7identification under s. 6.87 (4) (b) 2. or 3., or the applicant is a military or overseas
8elector, the elector shall enclose a copy of his or her proof of identification or any
9authorized substitute document with his or her application. The municipal clerk
10shall verify that the name on the proof of identification conforms to the name on the
11application. The clerk shall not issue a ballot to an elector who is required to enclose
12a copy of proof of identification or an authorized substitute document with his or her
13application unless the copy is enclosed and the proof is verified by the clerk. The
14application form shall require the following information and be in substantially the
15following form:
AB201-ASA1,2 16Section 2 . 6.30 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB201-ASA1,6,1417 6.30 (5) By electronic application. An eligible elector who holds a current and
18valid operator's license issued under ch. 343 or a current and valid identification card
19issued under s. 343.50 may register electronically in the manner prescribed by the
20commission. The commission shall maintain on the Internet a secure registration
21form that enables the elector to enter the information required under s. 6.33 (1)
22electronically. An elector who registers electronically under this subsection must
23authorize the commission to obtain from the department of transportation an
24electronic copy of the elector's signature, which signature shall constitute an
25affirmance that all information provided by the elector is correct and shall have the

1same effect as if the elector had signed the application personally. The commission
2shall include on the registration form a place for the elector to give this authorization.
3Upon submittal of the electronic application, the commission shall obtain from the
4department of transportation a copy of the electronic signature of the elector. The
5commission shall maintain the a version of the completed application on file and ,
6which shall contain the elector's electronic signature, and
shall notify the municipal
7clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality where the elector resides
8of its receipt of each completed application. The commission shall also permit any
9elector who has a current and valid operator's license issued to the elector under ch.
10343 or a current and valid identification card issued under s. 343.50 to make changes
11in his or her registration at the same Internet site that is used by electors for original
12registration under this subsection. An elector shall attest to the correctness of any
13changes in the same manner as provided in this subsection for information entered
14on an application for original registration.
AB201-ASA1,3 15Section 3 . 6.86 (1) (ac) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB201-ASA1,7,216 6.86 (1) (ac) Any elector qualifying under par. (a) may make written application
17to the municipal clerk for an official ballot by means of facsimile transmission or
18electronic mail. Any application under this paragraph need not shall contain a copy
19of the applicant's original written signature . An elector requesting a ballot under
20this paragraph shall return with the voted ballot a copy of the request bearing an
21original signature of the elector as provided in s. 6.87 (4)
or contain the applicant's
22electronic signature on the application form in portable document format (PDF)
.
23Except as authorized in ss. 6.87 (4) (b) 2. to 5. , 4., and 5. and 6.875 (6), and
24notwithstanding s. 343.43 (1) (f), the elector shall transmit a copy of his or her proof

1of identification in the manner provided in s. 6.87 (1) unless the elector is a military
2elector or an overseas elector or the elector has a confidential listing under s. 6.47 (2).
AB201-ASA1,4 3Section 4 . 6.86 (1) (ar) of the statutes is renumbered 6.86 (1) (ar) 1. and
4amended to read:
AB201-ASA1,7,145 6.86 (1) (ar) 1. Except as authorized in s. 6.875 (6), the municipal clerk shall
6not issue an absentee ballot unless the clerk receives a written application therefor
7from a qualified elector of the municipality a completed application in the form
8prescribed by the commission under par. (as) that contains the elector's original
9written signature, or, if application is made under par. (ac), that contains the elector's
10electronic signature or a copy of the elector's original written signature, or the
11signature of a person the elector authorizes to sign on the elector's behalf under par.
12(ag) or sub. (3) (a)
. The clerk shall retain each absentee ballot application until
13destruction is authorized under s. 7.23 (1). A municipal clerk issuing an absentee
14ballot contrary to this subdivision is guilty of a Class I felony.
AB201-ASA1,7,22 152. Except as authorized in s. 6.79 (6) and (7), if a qualified elector applies for
16an absentee ballot in person at the clerk's office, the clerk shall not issue the elector
17an absentee ballot unless the elector presents proof of identification. The clerk shall
18verify that the name on the proof of identification presented by the elector conforms
19to the name on the elector's application and shall verify that any photograph
20appearing on that document reasonably resembles the elector. The clerk shall then
21enter his or her initials on the certificate envelope indicating that the absentee
22elector presented proof of identification to the clerk.
AB201-ASA1,5 23Section 5 . 6.86 (1) (as) of the statutes is created to read:
AB201-ASA1,8,424 6.86 (1) (as) The absentee ballot application form and instructions shall be
25prescribed by the commission and shall be separate and distinct from the certificate

1envelope prescribed in s. 6.87 (2). The application shall require the elector to certify
2facts establishing that he or she is qualified to vote in the election at the municipality
3of his or her legal voting residence and shall include at least all of the following
4information:
AB201-ASA1,8,55 1. The elector's municipality and county of residence.
AB201-ASA1,8,76 2. The elector's name, date of birth, and contact information, including as
7applicable the elector's telephone number, fax number, and electronic mail address.
AB201-ASA1,8,88 3. The street address of the elector's legal voting residence.
AB201-ASA1,8,99 4. The election at which the elector intends to vote absentee.
AB201-ASA1,8,1010 5. Whether the elector is a military or overseas elector.
AB201-ASA1,8,1211 6. The elector's confidential identification serial number if the elector has
12obtained a confidential listing under s. 6.47 (2).
AB201-ASA1,8,1313 7. The lawful method by which the elector prefers to receive the absentee ballot.
AB201-ASA1,8,1414 8. Whether the elector is hospitalized for purposes of sub. (3).
AB201-ASA1,6 15Section 6. 6.86 (2) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
AB201-ASA1,8,2316 6.86 (2) (a) An elector may apply for indefinitely confined status for purposes
17of this subsection by filing a statement with the municipal clerk affirming that the
18elector is indefinitely confined because of his or her age or physical illness or
19infirmity or is disabled for an indefinite period. The existence anywhere in this state
20of a public health emergency, as defined in s. 323.02 (16), a disaster, as defined in s.
21323.02 (6), or an epidemic of a communicable disease does not qualify an elector as
22indefinitely confined under this subsection. The statement shall contain the name,
23address, date of signature, and signature of the elector.
AB201-ASA1,9,224 (b) 1. An indefinitely confined elector may, by written application filed with the
25municipal clerk of the municipality where the elector resides, request that an

1absentee ballot be sent to the elector automatically for every election that is held
2within the same calendar year in which the application is filed.
AB201-ASA1,9,133 2. Every application filed under this paragraph shall be accompanied by a copy
4of the elector's proof of identification, except that if an elector does not possess proof
5of identification, the elector shall submit with his or her application a sworn written
6statement from a U.S. citizen who is 18 years of age or older affirming the identity
7of the elector. The commission shall prescribe the form of the statement. The
8statement shall contain the name, address, date of signature, and signature of the
9elector and the name, address, date of signature, and signature of the person
10affirming the elector's identity. The statement shall specify that intentionally
11providing false information on or using or attempting to use the sworn statement as
12a means of not providing a copy of proof of identification when the elector possesses
13a valid proof of identification is a Class I felony.
AB201-ASA1,9,2014 3. An elector who submits an application under this paragraph by electronic
15means is not required to provide proof of identification under subd. 2. if, at the time
16of application, the elector provides the number of a current and valid operator's
17license issued under ch. 343, or the number of a current and valid identification card
18issued under s. 343.50, together with the elector's name and date of birth, and the
19commission is able to verify the elector's information using the system maintained
20under s. 6.34 (4).
AB201-ASA1,9,2421 (c) The commission shall prescribe the application forms and instructions for
22use under pars. (a) and (b), and each municipal clerk shall provide the form and
23instructions, upon request, to any elector. The forms for use under this subsection,
24including the application for indefinitely confined voting status and sworn

1statement attesting to the elector's identity, shall be unique to the procedures under
2this subsection.
AB201-ASA1,10,43 (d) Any absentee ballot mailed under this subsection shall be clearly marked
4as not forwardable.
AB201-ASA1,10,75 (e) An elector who is no longer indefinitely confined because of age, illness,
6infirmity, or disability shall immediately notify the clerk of the municipality where
7the elector resides.
AB201-ASA1,10,118 (f) The municipal clerk shall maintain a list of the electors of the municipality
9who are indefinitely confined for purposes of this subsection. The clerk shall remove
10the name of an elector from the list, cease sending absentee ballots to the elector, and
11notify the elector of his or her removal from the list, if any of the following applies:
AB201-ASA1,10,1312 1. The elector notifies the clerk that the elector is no longer indefinitely
13confined.
AB201-ASA1,10,1814 2. The elector fails to cast and return an absentee ballot received under this
15subsection for any election and fails to renew the application for indefinitely confined
16voting status under par. (a) within 30 days after receiving notification from the clerk
17that the clerk will remove the elector's name from the mailing list unless the elector
18renews the elector's application.
AB201-ASA1,10,2119 3. The clerk receives reliable information that the elector no longer qualifies
20as indefinitely confined under par. (a) or (b) and verifies the accuracy of that
21information.
AB201-ASA1,10,2222 4. The elector requests to be removed from the list.
AB201-ASA1,10,2523 5. The elector fails to submit an application for indefinitely confined status
24under par. (a) within 4 years after the date of the elector's most recent application
25under that paragraph.
AB201-ASA1,7
1Section 7. 6.86 (2m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB201-ASA1,12,72 6.86 (2m) (a) Except as provided in this subsection, any elector other than an
3elector who receives an absentee ballot under sub. (2) or s. 6.22 (4) or 6.24 (4) (c) may
4by written application filed with the municipal clerk of the municipality where the
5elector resides require that an absentee ballot be sent to the elector automatically for
6every a primary and its associated election that is held within the same calendar year
7in which the application is filed
. An elector must submit a separate application for
8each primary and the election associated with that primary, and the application shall
9specify the primary and election to which the application applies
. The application
10form and instructions shall be prescribed by the commission, and furnished upon
11request to any elector by each municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall thereupon
12mail an absentee ballot to the elector for all elections that are held in the municipality
13during the same calendar year that the application is filed
the primary and election
14to which the application applies
, except that the clerk shall not send an absentee
15ballot for an election if the elector's name appeared on the registration list in eligible
16status for a previous election following the date of the application but no longer
17appears on the list in eligible status. The municipal clerk shall ensure that any
18envelope containing the absentee ballot is clearly marked as not forwardable. If an
19elector who files an application under this subsection no longer resides at the same
20address that is indicated on the application form, the elector shall so notify the
21municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall discontinue mailing absentee ballots may
22not mail an absentee ballot
to an elector under this subsection upon receipt of reliable
23information that the elector no longer qualifies as an elector of the municipality. In
24addition, the municipal clerk shall discontinue mailing absentee ballots may not
25mail an absentee ballot
to an elector under this subsection for the election specified

1in the elector's application
if the elector fails to return any the absentee ballot mailed
2to the elector. The municipal clerk shall notify the elector of any such action not
3taken at the elector's request within 5 days, if possible. An elector who fails to cast
4an absentee ballot but who remains qualified to receive absentee ballots under this
5subsection may then receive absentee ballots for subsequent elections by notifying
6the municipal clerk that the elector wishes to continue receiving absentee ballots for
7subsequent elections.
for the primary specified in the elector's application.
AB201-ASA1,8 8Section 8 . 6.86 (8) of the statutes is created to read:
AB201-ASA1,12,139 6.86 (8) (a) No municipal or county clerk or municipal or county board of
10election commissioners, and no person acting on behalf of the commission, may send
11or transmit an absentee ballot application or an absentee ballot to an elector for
12voting in an election unless the elector applies for the application or ballot as
13provided by law.
AB201-ASA1,12,1714 (b) No committee, as defined in s. 11.0101 (6), may send or transmit an absentee
15ballot application to an elector that contains a return address for the application
16other than the address of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of
17the municipality where the elector is registered to vote.
AB201-ASA1,9 18Section 9 . 6.87 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB201-ASA1,13,519 6.87 (1) Upon proper request made within the period prescribed in s. 6.86, the
20municipal clerk or a deputy clerk authorized by the municipal clerk shall write on
21the official ballot, in the space for official endorsement, the clerk's initials, which may
22not be preprinted or stamped,
and official title. Unless application is made in person
23under s. 6.86 (1) (ar), the absent elector is exempted from providing proof of
24identification under sub. (4) (b) 2. or 3., or the applicant is a military or overseas
25elector, the absent elector shall enclose a copy of his or her proof of identification or

1any authorized substitute document with his or her application. The municipal clerk
2shall verify that the name on the proof of identification conforms to the name on the
3application. The clerk shall not issue an absentee ballot to an elector who is required
4to enclose a copy of proof of identification or an authorized substitute document with
5his or her application unless the copy is enclosed and the proof is verified by the clerk.
AB201-ASA1,10 6Section 10 . 6.87 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB201-ASA1,13,197 6.87 (2) (intro.) Except as authorized under sub. (3) (d), the municipal clerk
8shall place the ballot in an unsealed envelope furnished by the clerk. The envelope
9shall have the name, official title and post-office address of the clerk upon its face.
10The other side of the envelope shall have a printed certificate which shall include a
11space for the municipal clerk or deputy clerk to enter write his or her initials
12indicating that if the absentee elector voted in person under s. 6.86 (1) (ar), the elector
13presented proof of identification to the clerk and the clerk verified the proof
14presented. The certificate shall also include a space for the municipal clerk or deputy
15clerk to enter write his or her initials indicating that the elector is exempt from
16providing proof of identification because the individual is a military elector or an
17overseas elector who does not qualify as a resident of this state under s. 6.10 or is
18exempted from providing proof of identification under sub. (4) (b) 2. or 3. The
19certificate shall be in substantially the following form:
AB201-ASA1,11 20Section 11 . 6.87 (4) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB201-ASA1,15,221 6.87 (4) (b) 1. Except as otherwise provided in s. 6.875, an elector voting
22absentee, other than a military elector or an overseas elector, shall make and
23subscribe to the certification before one witness who is an adult U.S. citizen. A
24military elector or an overseas elector voting absentee, regardless of whether the
25elector qualifies as a resident of this state under s. 6.10, shall make and subscribe

1to the certification before one witness who is an adult but who need not be a U.S.
2citizen. The absent elector, in the presence of the witness, shall mark the ballot in
3a manner that will not disclose how the elector's vote is cast. The elector shall then,
4still in the presence of the witness, fold the ballots so each is separate and so that the
5elector conceals the markings thereon and deposit them in the proper envelope. If
6a consolidated ballot under s. 5.655 is used, the elector shall fold the ballot so that
7the elector conceals the markings thereon and deposit the ballot in the proper
8envelope. If proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required and the document enclosed
9by the elector under this subdivision does not constitute proof of residence under s.
106.34, the elector shall also enclose proof of residence under s. 6.34 in the envelope.
11Except as provided in s. 6.34 (2m), proof of residence is required if the elector is not
12a military elector or an overseas elector and the elector registered by mail or by
13electronic application and has not voted in an election in this state. If the elector
14requested a ballot by means of facsimile transmission or electronic mail under s. 6.86
15(1) (ac), the elector shall enclose in the envelope a copy of the request which bears an
16original written signature of the elector. The elector may receive assistance under
17sub. (5). The return envelope shall then be sealed. The witness may not be a
18candidate. The envelope shall be mailed by the elector, or delivered in person, to the
19municipal clerk issuing the ballot or ballots. If the envelope is mailed from a location
20outside the United States, the elector shall affix sufficient postage unless the ballot
21qualifies for delivery free of postage under federal law. Failure to return an unused
22ballot in a primary does not invalidate the ballot on which the elector's votes are cast.
23Return of more than one marked ballot in a primary or return of a ballot prepared
24under s. 5.655 or a ballot used with an electronic voting system in a primary which

1is marked for candidates of more than one party invalidates all votes cast by the
2elector for candidates in the primary.
AB201-ASA1,12 3Section 12. 6.87 (4) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB201-ASA1,15,94 6.87 (4) (b) 2. Unless subd. 3. applies, if If the absentee elector has applied for
5and qualified to receive absentee ballots automatically under s. 6.86 (2) (a), the
6elector may, in lieu of providing proof of identification, submit with his or her
7absentee ballot a statement signed by the same individual who witnesses voting of
8the ballot which contains the name and address of the elector and verifies that the
9name and address are correct.
AB201-ASA1,13 10Section 13 . 6.87 (4) (b) 3. of the statutes is repealed.
AB201-ASA1,14 11Section 14 . 6.87 (4) (b) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB201-ASA1,15,2212 6.87 (4) (b) 5. Unless subd. 3. or 4. applies, if the absentee elector resides in a
13qualified retirement home, as defined in s. 6.875 (1) (at), or a residential care facility,
14as defined in s. 6.875 (1) (bm), and the municipal clerk or board of election
15commissioners of the municipality where the facility or home is located does not send
16special voting deputies to visit the facility or home at the election under s. 6.875, the
17elector may, in lieu of providing proof of identification, submit with his or her
18absentee ballot a statement signed by the same individual who witnesses voting of
19the ballot that contains the certification of an authorized representative of the
20facility or home that the elector resides in the facility or home and the facility or home
21is certified or registered as required by law, that contains the name and address of
22the elector, and that verifies that the name and address are correct.
AB201-ASA1,15 23Section 15 . 6.88 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
AB201-ASA1,16,524 6.88 (4) At 9 p.m. on election day, and at least hourly thereafter while absentee
25ballots are being canvassed, the municipal clerk or his or her designee shall post, at

1his or her office and on the Internet at a site announced by the clerk before
2canvassing begins, a statement that shows as of the time of posting the number of
3absentee ballots that the clerk has mailed or transmitted to electors, the number of
4absentee ballots that have been returned to the clerk, and the number of absentee
5ballots counted. The posting may not include the names or addresses of any electors.
AB201-ASA1,16 6Section 16. 12.13 (3) (ig) of the statutes is created to read:
AB201-ASA1,16,77 12.13 (3) (ig) Do any of the following:
AB201-ASA1,16,98 1. Falsely make any statement for the purpose of qualifying as indefinitely
9confined under s. 6.86 (2) (a).
AB201-ASA1,16,1310 2. Intentionally providing false information on or using or attempting to use
11the sworn statement under s. 6.86 (2) (b) 2. as a means of not providing a copy of proof
12of identification when the elector possesses a valid proof of identification, as defined
13under s. 5.02 (16c).
AB201-ASA1,16,1414 3. Falsely affirming another person's identity for purposes of s. 6.86 (2) (b) 2.
AB201-ASA1,17 15Section 17. 12.60 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB201-ASA1,16,1716 12.60 (1) (a) Whoever violates s. 12.09, 12.11 or 12.13 (1), (2) (b) 1. to 7. or (3)
17(a), (e), (f), (ig), (j), (k), (L), (m), (y) or (z) is guilty of a Class I felony.
AB201-ASA1,18 18Section 18. Nonstatutory provisions.
AB201-ASA1,16,2319 (1) The elections commission shall facilitate the removal, no later than the first
20day of the 3rd month beginning after the effective date of this subsection, from the
21mailing list maintained under s. 6.86 (2), 2019 stats., of each elector who applied for
22automatic receipt of absentee ballots under s. 6.86 (2) (a), 2019 stats., during the
23period beginning on March 12, 2020, and ending on November 3, 2020.
AB201-ASA1,17,3
1(2) No elector who under sub. (1) is removed from the mailing list under s. 6.86
2(2), 2019 stats., may receive an absentee ballot under that subsection unless the
3elector reapplies for automatic receipt of absentee ballots as provided under this act.
AB201-ASA1,19 4Section 19 . Initial applicability.
AB201-ASA1,17,65 (1) Electronic registrations. The treatment of s. 6.30 (5) first applies to
6electronic registrations initiated or updated on the effective date of this subsection.
AB201-ASA1,20 7Section 20 . Effective dates. This act takes effect on the day after publication,
8except as follows:
AB201-ASA1,17,109 (1) Electronic registrations. The treatment of s. 6.30 (5) and Section 19 (1)
10of this act take effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after publication.
Loading...
Loading...