Amendment AA10-SB70

SB70-AA10,753 Section 753. 227.13 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,348,2 227.13 Advisory committees and informal consultations. An agency may use informal conferences and consultations to obtain the viewpoint and advice of interested persons with respect to contemplated rule making. An agency may also appoint a committee of experts, interested persons or representatives of the public to advise it with respect to any contemplated rule making. Such a The committee shall have advisory powers only. Whenever an agency appoints a committee under this section, the agency shall submit a list of the members of the committee to the joint committee for review of administrative rules.

SB70-AA10,754 Section 754. 227.26 (2) (im) of the statutes is repealed.

SB70-AA10,755 Section 755. 227.57 (11) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,348,8 227.57 (11) Upon review of an agency action or decision affecting a property owner's use of the property owner's property, the court shall accord no deference to the agency's interpretation of law if the agency action or decision restricts the property owner's free use of the property owner's property.”.

SB70-AA10,348,9 314. Page 374, line 11: after that line insert:

SB70-AA10,348,10 “ Section 756. 5.056 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,348,19 5.056 Matching program with secretary of transportation. The commission administrator shall enter into the agreement with the secretary of transportation specified under s. 85.61 (1) to match personally identifiable information on the official registration list maintained by the commission under s. 6.36 (1) and the information specified in s. ss. 6.256 (2) and 6.34 (2m) with personally identifiable information maintained by the department of transportation. Subject to s. 343.14 (2p) (b), the agreement shall provide for the electronic transfer of information under s. 6.256 (2) to the commission on a continuous basis, no less often than weekly.

SB70-AA10,757 Section 757. 6.256 of the statutes is created to read:

SB70-AA10,348,24 6.256 Facilitating registration of electors. (1) The commission shall use all feasible means to facilitate the registration of all eligible electors of this state and the maintenance of the registration of all eligible electors for so long as they remain eligible.

SB70-AA10,349,4 (2) Subject to s. 343.14 (2p) (b), for the purpose of carrying out its functions under sub. (1), the commission shall obtain the following information from the department of transportation, to the extent that the department has the information:

SB70-AA10,349,8 (a) The full name of each individual who holds a current operator's license issued to the individual under ch. 343 or a current identification card issued to the individual under s. 343.50, together with the following information pertaining to that individual:

SB70-AA10,349,10 1. The current address of the individual together with any address history and any name history maintained by the department of transportation.

SB70-AA10,349,11 2. The date of birth of the individual.

SB70-AA10,349,12 3. The number of the license or identification card issued to the individual.

SB70-AA10,349,15 4. A copy of each document that the applicant provided as proof of citizenship and a statement from the department of transportation indicating that the department verified the applicant's citizenship.

SB70-AA10,349,18 (b) For each item of information specified in par. (a), the most recent date that the item of information was provided to or obtained by the department of transportation.

SB70-AA10,349,25 (3) The commission shall compare the information obtained under sub. (2) with the information in the registration list under s. 6.36 (1) (a). If the commission finds any discrepancy between the information obtained under sub. (2) regarding an elector and the information in the registration list under s. 6.36 (1) (a) regarding that elector, the commission shall attempt to contact the elector to resolve the discrepancy and update the registration list accordingly. If the commission is unable to resolve the discrepancy, the information in the registration list shall control.

SB70-AA10,350,13 (4) If the commission concludes that an individual appears eligible to vote in this state but is not registered and the commission has obtained from reliable sources all the information required under s. 6.33 (1) to complete the individual's registration, the commission shall enter the individual's name on the registration list maintained under s. 6.36 (1) (a). If the commission has not obtained from reliable sources all the information pertaining to an individual that is required under s. 6.33 (1), the commission shall attempt to obtain from reliable sources the necessary information under s. 6.33 (1) that is required to complete the individual's registration. If an elector's status has been changed from eligible to ineligible under s. 6.50 and the elector's eligibility, name, or residence has not changed, the commission may not change the individual's name to eligible status unless the commission first verifies that the individual is eligible and wishes to change his or her status to eligible.

SB70-AA10,350,16 (5) The commission shall attempt to contact an individual described in sub. (4) if necessary to obtain all the information specified in s. 6.33 (1) pertaining to the individual that is required to complete the individual's registration.

SB70-AA10,350,21 (6) The commission shall mail a notice to each individual whose name the commission enters under sub. (4) on the registration list maintained under s. 6.36 (1) (a). The notice shall be printed in English, Spanish, and other languages spoken by a significant number of state residents, as determined by the commission, and shall include all of the following:

SB70-AA10,350,24 (a) A statement informing the individual that his or her name has been entered on the registration list and showing the current address for the individual based on the commission's records.

SB70-AA10,351,2 (b) A statement informing the individual that he or she may request to have his or her name deleted from the registration list and instructions for doing so.

SB70-AA10,351,3 (c) Instructions for notifying the commission of a change in name or address.

SB70-AA10,351,5 (d) Instructions for obtaining a confidential listing under s. 6.47 (2) and a description of how an individual qualifies for a confidential listing.

SB70-AA10,351,17 (7) Any individual may file a request with the commission to exclude his or her name from the registration list maintained under s. 6.36 (1) (a). Any individual whose name is added to the registration list by the commission may file a request with the commission or a municipal clerk to have his or her name deleted from the list. A request for exclusion or deletion shall be filed in the manner prescribed by the commission. An individual who files an exclusion or deletion request under this subsection may revoke his or her request by the same means that an individual may request an exclusion or deletion. The commission shall ensure that the name of any individual who has filed an exclusion or deletion request under this subsection is excluded from the registration list or, if the individual's name appears on the list, is removed from the registration list and is not added to the list at any subsequent time unless the individual files a revocation of his or her request under this subsection.

SB70-AA10,352,2 (8) If the commission removes from the registration list maintained under s. 6.36 (1) (a) the name of an elector who does not request that his or her name be deleted, or changes the elector's status from eligible to ineligible, other than to correct an entry that the commission determines to be a duplication or to change the name of an individual who is verified to be deceased to ineligible status, the commission shall mail the individual a notice of the removal or change in status by 1st class postcard at the individual's last-known address. The notice shall provide that the individual may apply to have his or her status changed to eligible if he or she is a qualified elector.

SB70-AA10,352,4 (9) The commission shall attempt to facilitate the initial registration of all eligible electors as soon as practicable.

SB70-AA10,352,8 (10) The commission shall maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained from the department of transportation under sub. (2) and may use this information only for the purpose of carrying out its functions under sub. (1) and s. 6.34 (2m) and in accordance with the agreement under s. 85.61 (1).

SB70-AA10,758 Section 758. 16.971 (2) (o) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70-AA10,352,12 16.971 (2) (o) Assist the elections commission with information technology systems development for purposes of facilitating the registration of eligible electors under s. 6.256.

SB70-AA10,759 Section 759. 85.61 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,352,24 85.61 (1) The secretary of transportation and the administrator of the elections commission shall enter into an agreement to match personally identifiable information on the official registration list maintained by the commission under s. 6.36 (1) and the information specified in s. ss. 6.256 (2) and 6.34 (2m) with personally identifiable information in the operating record file database under ch. 343 and vehicle registration records under ch. 341 to the extent required to enable the secretary of transportation and the administrator of the elections commission to verify the accuracy of the information provided for the purpose of voter registration. Notwithstanding ss. 110.09 (2), 342.06 (1) (eg), and 343.14 (2j), but subject to s. 343.14 (2p) (b), the agreement shall provide for the transfer of electronic information under s. 6.256 (2) to the commission on a continuous basis, no less often than weekly.

SB70-AA10,760 Section 760. 343.14 (2p) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70-AA10,353,5 343.14 (2p) (a) The forms for application for a license or identification card or for renewal thereof shall inform the applicant of the department's duty to make available to the elections commission the information described in s. 6.256 (2) for the purposes specified in s. 6.256 (1) and (3) and shall provide the applicant an opportunity to elect not to have this information made available for these purposes.

SB70-AA10,353,11 (b) If the applicant elects not to have the information described in s. 6.256 (2) made available for the purposes specified in s. 6.256 (1) and (3), the department may not make this information available for these purposes. This paragraph does not preclude the department from making available to the elections commission information for the purposes specified in s. 6.34 (2m) or for any purpose other than those specified in s. 6.256 (1) and (3).

SB70-AA10,9112 Section 9112. Nonstatutory provisions; Elections Commission.

SB70-AA10,353,17 (1) Initial sharing of registration information. Notwithstanding ss. 85.61 (1), 110.09 (2), 342.06 (1) (eg), and 343.14 (2j), the department of transportation shall enter into and begin transferring information under a revised agreement with the elections commission administrator pursuant to s. 85.61 (1) no later than the first day of the 9th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection.

SB70-AA10,354,7 (2) Report on voter registration information integration. No later than July 1, 2025, the elections commission shall report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature, in the manner specified in s. 13.172 (3), and to the governor its progress in initially implementing a system to ensure the complete and continuous registration of all eligible electors in this state, specifically including the operability and utility of information integration with the department of transportation and the feasibility and desirability of integrating public information maintained by other state agencies and by technical colleges with the commission's registration information to enhance the completeness and accuracy of the information. At a minimum, the report shall contain an assessment of the feasibility and desirability of the integration of registration information with information maintained by the departments of health services, children and families, workforce development, revenue, safety and professional services, and natural resources; the University of Wisconsin System; and the technical college system board, as well as the technical colleges within each technical college district.”.

SB70-AA10,354,8 315. Page 374, line 11: after that line insert:

SB70-AA10,354,9 “ Section 761. 6.29 (2) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70-AA10,354,14 6.29 (2) (e) The municipal clerk or clerk's agent shall promptly add the names of qualified electors who register and vote under this section to the registration list maintained under s. 6.36 (1) (a). The clerk or clerk's agent shall add the names of qualified electors who vote at their polling places in the manner prescribed in s. 6.33 (5) (a).

SB70-AA10,762 Section 762. 6.33 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,355,2 6.33 (2) (a) All information may be recorded by any person, except that the clerk shall record the ward and aldermanic district, if any, other geographic information under sub. (1), the indication of whether the registration is received by mail, and the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence under s. 6.34 or the indication of verification of information in lieu of proof of residence under s. 6.34 (2m). Except as provided in s. 6.30 (5), each elector shall sign his or her own name unless the elector is unable to sign his or her name due to physical disability. In such case, the elector may authorize another elector to sign the form on his or her behalf. If the elector so authorizes, the elector signing the form shall attest to a statement that the application is made upon request and by authorization of a named elector who is unable to sign the form due to physical disability.

SB70-AA10,763 Section 763. 6.35 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,355,9 6.35 (3) Original Except for electronic registrations, original registration forms shall be maintained in the office of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners at all times. The commission shall maintain records of registrations that are entered electronically under s. 6.30 (5) and make such records available for inspection by the municipal clerk, the clerk's designated agent, or the board of election commissioners.

SB70-AA10,764 Section 764. 6.86 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,356,5 6.86 (3) (c) An application under par. (a) 1. may be made and a registration form under par. (a) 2. may be filed in person at the office of the municipal clerk not earlier than 7 days before an election and not later than 5 p.m. on the day of the election. A list of hospitalized electors applying for ballots under par. (a) 1. shall be made by the municipal clerk and used to check that the electors vote only once, and by absentee ballot. If Except as provided in s. 6.34 (2m), if the elector is registering for the election after the close of registration or if the elector registered by mail and has not voted in an election in this state, the municipal clerk shall inform the agent that proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required and the elector shall enclose proof of residence under s. 6.34 in the envelope with the ballot. The clerk shall verify that the name on any required proof of identification presented by the agent conforms to the name on the elector's application. The clerk shall then enter his or her initials on the carrier envelope indicating that the agent presented proof of identification to the clerk. The agent is not required to enter a signature on the registration list. The ballot shall be sealed by the elector and returned to the municipal clerk either by mail or by personal delivery of the agent; but if the ballot is returned on the day of the election, the agent shall make personal delivery to the polling place serving the hospitalized elector's residence before the closing hour or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, to the municipal clerk no later than 8 p.m. on election day.”.

SB70-AA10,356,6 316. Page 374, line 11: after that line insert:

SB70-AA10,356,7 “ Section 765. 5.02 (6m) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,356,16 5.02 (6m) (f) An unexpired identification card issued by a university or college in this state that is accredited, as defined in s. 39.30 (1) (d), or by a technical college in this state that is a member of and governed by the technical college system under ch. 38, that contains the date of issuance and signature of the individual to whom it is issued and that contains an expiration date indicating that the card expires no later than 2 years after the date of issuance if the individual establishes, except that if the identification card is expired the individual shall establish that he or she is enrolled as a student at the university or college on the date that the card is presented.

SB70-AA10,9142 Section 9142. Nonstatutory provisions; Technical College System.

SB70-AA10,356,21 (1) Voter identification. No later than August 1, 2023, each technical college in this state that is a member of and governed by the technical college system under ch. 38 shall issue student identification cards that qualify as identification under s. 5.02 (6m) (f).

SB70-AA10,9147 Section 9147. Nonstatutory provisions; University of Wisconsin System.

SB70-AA10,357,3 (1) Voter identification. No later than August 1, 2023, each University of Wisconsin System institution shall issue student identification cards that qualify as identification under s. 5.02 (6m) (f).”.

SB70-AA10,357,4 317. Page 374, line 11: after that line insert:

SB70-AA10,357,5 “ Section 1. 343.50 (1) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,357,12 343.50 (1) (c) 1. The department may issue a receipt to any applicant for an identification card, and shall issue a receipt to an applicant requesting an identification card under sub. (5) (a) 3., which receipt shall constitute a temporary identification card while the application is being processed and shall be valid for a period not to exceed 60 180 days. If the application for an identification card is processed under the exception specified in s. 343.165 (7) or (8), the receipt shall include the marking specified in sub. (3) (b).”.

SB70-AA10,357,13 318. Page 374, line 11: after that line insert:

SB70-AA10,357,14 “ Section 766. 6.28 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,357,23 6.28 (1) (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 and may also be made during the school year at any high school by qualified persons under sub. (2m) (a). 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.

SB70-AA10,767 Section 767. 6.28 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70-AA10,358,2 6.28 (2m) At high schools. (a) Public high schools shall be used for registration for enrolled students and members of the high school staff.

SB70-AA10,358,21 (b) The municipal clerk of each municipality shall notify the school board of each school district in which the municipality is located that high schools shall be used for registration pursuant to par. (a). The school board and the municipal clerk shall agree upon the appointment of at least one qualified elector at each high school as a special school registration deputy. The municipal clerk shall appoint such person as a school registration deputy and explain the person's duties and responsibilities. Students and staff may register at the high school on any day that classes are regularly held. The school registration deputies shall promptly forward properly completed registration forms to the municipal clerk of the municipality in which the registering student or staff member resides. The municipal clerk, upon receiving such registration forms, shall add all those registering electors who have met the registration requirements to the registration list. The municipal clerk may reject any registration form and shall promptly notify the person whose registration is rejected of the rejection and the reason therefor. A person whose registration is rejected may reapply for registration if he or she is qualified. The form of each high school student who is qualified and will be eligible to vote at the next election shall be filed in such a way that when a student attains the age of 18 years the student is registered to vote automatically. Each school board shall assure that the principal of every high school communicates elector registration information to students.

SB70-AA10,359,4 (c) The principal of any private high school or of any tribal school, as defined in s. 115.001 (15m), that operates high school grades that has a substantial number of students residing in a municipality may request the municipal clerk to appoint a special school registration deputy in accordance with par. (b). Students and staff may register at the high school on any day that classes are regularly held. The clerk shall appoint a special school registration deputy in the high school if the clerk determines the school to have a substantial number of students residing in the municipality.”.

SB70-AA10,359,5 319. Page 374, line 11: after that line insert:

SB70-AA10,359,6 “ Section 768. 5.84 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,360,2 5.84 (1) Where any municipality employs an electronic voting system which utilizes automatic tabulating equipment, either at the polling place or at a central counting location, the municipal clerk shall, on any day not more than 10 days prior to the election day on which the equipment is to be utilized in an election, have the equipment tested to ascertain that it will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all measures. Public notice of the time and place of the test shall be given by the clerk at least 48 hours prior to the test by publication of a class 1 notice under ch. 985 in one or more newspapers published within the municipality if a newspaper is published therein, otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation therein. The test shall be open to the public. The test shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots so marked as to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each referendum. The test shall include for each office one or more ballots which have votes in excess of the number allowed by law and, for a partisan primary election, one or more ballots which have votes cast for candidates of more than one recognized political party, in order to test the ability of the automatic tabulating equipment to reject such votes. If any error is detected, the municipal clerk shall ascertain the cause and correct the error. The clerk shall make an errorless count before the automatic tabulating equipment is approved by the clerk for use in the election.

SB70-AA10,769 Section 769. 5.86 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,360,19 5.86 (1) All proceedings at each central counting location shall be under the direction of the municipal clerk or an election official designated by the clerk unless the central counting location is at the county seat and the municipal clerk delegates the responsibility to supervise the location to the county clerk, in which case the proceedings shall be under the direction of the county clerk or an election official designated by the county clerk. If for any municipality the central counting location is at the county seat and the municipal clerk authorizes the early canvassing of absentee ballots under s. 7.525, the county clerk or the county clerk's designee shall begin the proceedings for that municipality on the day before the election consistent with that section. Unless election officials are selected under s. 7.30 (4) (c) without regard to party affiliation, the employees at each central counting location, other than any specially trained technicians who are required for the operation of the automatic tabulating equipment, shall be equally divided between members of the 2 major political parties under s. 7.30 (2) (a) and all duties performed by the employees shall be by teams consisting of an equal number of members of each political party whenever sufficient persons from each party are available.

SB70-AA10,770 Section 770. 6.15 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,361,2 6.15 (4) (b) During polling hours, or between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day before the election if authorized for that election under s. 7.525, the inspectors shall open each carrier envelope, announce the elector's name, check the affidavit for proper execution, and check the voting qualifications for the ward, if any. In municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, the municipal board of absentee ballot canvassers shall perform this function at a meeting of the board of absentee ballot canvassers.

SB70-AA10,771 Section 771. 6.86 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,362,3 6.86 (1) (b) Except as provided in this section, if application is made by mail, the application shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on the 5th day immediately preceding the election. If application is made in person, the application shall be made no earlier than 14 days preceding the election and no later than the Sunday preceding the election. No application may be received on a legal holiday. A municipality shall specify the hours in the notice under s. 10.01 (2) (e). The municipal clerk or an election official shall witness the certificate for any in-person absentee ballot cast. Except as provided in par. (c), if the elector is making written application for an absentee ballot at the partisan primary, the general election, the presidential preference primary, or a special election for national office, and the application indicates that the elector is a military elector, as defined in s. 6.34 (1), the application shall be received by the municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. on election day. If the application indicates that the reason for requesting an absentee ballot is that the elector is a sequestered juror, the application shall be received no later than 5 p.m. on election day. If the application is received after 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the election, the municipal clerk or the clerk's agent shall immediately take the ballot to the court in which the elector is serving as a juror and deposit it with the judge. The judge shall recess court, as soon as convenient, and give the elector the ballot. The judge shall then witness the voting procedure as provided in s. 6.87 and shall deliver the ballot to the clerk or agent of the clerk who shall deliver it to the polling place election inspectors of the proper ward or election district or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, to the municipal clerk as required in s. 6.88. If application is made under sub. (2) or (2m), the application may be received no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the election.

SB70-AA10,772 Section 772. 6.87 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,362,11 6.87 (6) The ballot shall be returned so it is delivered to the polling place election inspectors of the proper ward or election district no later than 8 p.m. on election day. Except in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, if the municipal clerk receives an absentee ballot on election day, the clerk shall secure the ballot and cause the ballot to be delivered to the polling place serving the elector's residence before 8 p.m. Any ballot not mailed or delivered as provided in this subsection may not be counted.

SB70-AA10,773 Section 773. 6.88 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,363,3 6.88 (1) When an absentee ballot arrives at the office of the municipal clerk, or at an alternate site under s. 6.855, if applicable, the clerk shall enclose it, unopened, in a carrier envelope which shall be securely sealed and endorsed with the name and official title of the clerk, and the words “This envelope contains the ballot of an absent elector and must be opened in the same room where votes are being cast at the polls during polling hours on election day or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, stats., at a meeting of the municipal board of absentee ballot canvassers under s. 7.52, stats only as provided by law." If the elector is a military elector, as defined in s. 6.34 (1), or an overseas elector, regardless of whether the elector qualifies as a resident of this state under s. 6.10, and the ballot was received by the elector by facsimile transmission or electronic mail and is accompanied by a separate certificate, the clerk shall enclose the ballot in a certificate envelope and securely append the completed certificate to the outside of the envelope before enclosing the ballot in the carrier envelope. The clerk shall keep the ballot in the clerk's office or at the alternate site, if applicable until delivered, as required in sub. (2).

SB70-AA10,774 Section 774. 6.88 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,364,6 6.88 (3) (a) Except in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under s. 7.52, at any time between the opening and closing of the polls on election day, or between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day before the election if authorized for that election under s. 7.525, the inspectors shall, in the same room where votes are being cast, or in the place where absentee ballots begin being canvassed early under s. 7.525, in such a manner that members of the public can hear and see the procedures, open the carrier envelope only, and 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 inspectors find that the certification has been properly executed, the applicant is a qualified elector of the ward or election district, and the applicant has not voted in the election, they shall enter an indication on the poll list next to the applicant's name indicating an absentee ballot is cast by the elector. They shall then open the envelope containing the ballot in a manner so as not to deface or destroy the certification thereon. The inspectors 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 inspectors shall verify that the ballot has been endorsed by the issuing clerk. If the poll list indicates that proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required and proof of residence is enclosed, the inspectors shall enter both the type of identifying document submitted by the absent elector and the name of the entity or institution that issued the identifying document on the poll list in the space provided. If the poll list indicates that proof of residence under s. 6.34 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 inspectors shall proceed as provided under s. 6.97 (2). The inspectors shall then deposit the ballot into the proper ballot box and enter the absent elector's name or voting number after his or her name on the poll list in the same manner as if the elector had been present and voted in person.

SB70-AA10,775 Section 775. 7.52 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA10,365,2 7.52 (1) (a) The governing body of any municipality may provide by ordinance that, in lieu of canvassing absentee ballots at polling places under s. 6.88, the municipal board of absentee ballot canvassers designated under s. 7.53 (2m) shall, at each election held in the municipality, canvass all absentee ballots received by the municipal clerk by 8 p.m. on election day. Prior to enacting an ordinance under this subsection, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality shall notify the elections commission in writing of the proposed enactment and shall consult with the elections commission concerning administration of this section. At every election held in the municipality following enactment of an ordinance under this subsection, the board of absentee ballot canvassers shall, between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day before the election if authorized for that election under s. 7.525 or any time after the opening of the polls and before 10 p.m. on election day, publicly convene to count the absentee ballots for the municipality. The municipal clerk shall give at least 48 hours' notice of any meeting under this subsection. Any member of the public has the same right of access to a meeting of the municipal board of absentee ballot canvassers under this subsection that the individual would have under s. 7.41 to observe the proceedings at a polling place. The board of absentee ballot canvassers may order the removal of any individual exercising the right to observe the proceedings if the individual disrupts the meeting.

SB70-AA10,776 Section 776. 7.52 (10) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70-AA10,365,6 7.52 (10) If, subject to s. 7.525, absentee ballots begin being canvassed under this section on the day before the election, no action under subs. (4) to (8) may be performed before election day.

SB70-AA10,777 Section 777. 7.525 of the statutes is created to read:

SB70-AA10,365,11 7.525 Early canvassing of absentee ballots. (1) Authorizing early canvassing; requirements. (a) 1. The municipal clerk or municipal board of election commissioners may elect to begin the canvassing of absentee ballots received by the municipal clerk on the day before any election.

SB70-AA10,365,14 2. Prior to the canvass under subd. 1., the municipal clerk or municipal board of election commissioners shall notify the elections commission in writing and shall consult with the elections commission concerning administration of this section.

SB70-AA10,365,17 (b) Ballots may be canvassed early under this section only between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day before the election and may not be tallied until after the polls close on election day.

SB70-AA10,365,20 (c) Any member of the public has the same right of access to a place where absentee ballots are being canvassed early under this section that the individual would have under s. 7.41 to observe the proceedings at a polling place.