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LRB-1456/1
JK&MPG:all
2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE
May 24, 2019 - Introduced by Senators Bernier, Miller, Smith, Bewley and
Schachtner, cosponsored by Representatives Tusler, Zamarripa, Spreitzer,
Anderson, Krug, Loudenbeck, Macco, Mursau, Ramthun, Vruwink and
Subeck. Referred to Committee on Elections, Ethics and Rural Issues.
SB241,1,5 1An Act to amend 6.15 (2) (bm), 6.29 (2) (b), 6.32 (4), 6.33 (1), 6.33 (2) (a), 6.34
2(2), 6.34 (3) (a) (intro.), 6.34 (3) (a) 10., 6.34 (3) (b) (intro.), 6.34 (3) (c), 6.36 (1)
3(a) 12., 6.36 (2) (a), 6.36 (2) (c), 6.55 (2) (b), 6.55 (2) (c) 1., 6.55 (2) (d), 6.79 (2)
4(d), 6.79 (4), 6.82 (1) (a) and 6.88 (3) (a); and to create 6.34 (3) (a) 1m. and 6.34
5(3) (a) 2m. of the statutes; relating to: voter registration.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill requires a registered elector who has changed his or her name or
address to complete a new voter registration. Under current law, if a registered
elector changes his or her name, the elector must either provide notice of the change
to the municipal clerk prior to election day or to the inspector at the polling place on
election day. If notice is given to the inspector on election day, the inspector must
notify the clerk of the elector's name change when the election day materials are
returned to the clerk's office. Under current law, an elector who has changed both
his or her name and address must complete a new voter registration.
Under current law, a document used as proof of identification for voting
purposes may not be sufficient to establish proof of residence for voter registration
purposes. Conversely, several documents that an elector may use to establish
residency, such as a bank statement or utility bill, are not sufficient as proof of
identification for voting. In many instances, however, current law refers to an elector
providing an “identifying document” as proof of residence. The bill replaces the term
“identifying document” with “document” when used in conjunction with establishing

proof of residence to avoid voter confusion with regard to the documentation
necessary to establish residency.
Current law allows an individual to use an unexpired driving receipt or an
unexpired identification card receipt as proof of identification for voting purposes.
Both documents include a photograph of the individual to whom the document is
issued. An unexpired driving receipt is a temporary document that an individual
may use as an operator's license until such time that the individual receives his or
her actual operator's license. Similarly, an unexpired identification card receipt is
a temporary document that the holder may use until he or she receives an actual
identification card. The bill allows an individual to also use an unexpired driving
receipt or an unexpired identification card receipt as proof of residence for voter
registration purposes if the receipt has the individual's current and complete name
and address.
Current law authorizes the use of a paycheck for an elector to establish proof
of residence for purposes of voter registration. The bill adds the authority to use a
pay stub or pay statement.
The bill also specifies that a document provided as proof of residence for
purposes of voter registration may be provided in electronic format.
Under current law, when the municipal clerk or the Elections Commission
receives a valid registration form, either electronically or by mail, the registrant
receives a letter or postcard that specifies the registrant's ward, aldermanic district,
if any, and polling place. The letter or postcard is also intended to verify the
registrant's address. The bill clarifies that the commission sends the letter or
postcard.
For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB241,1 1Section 1. 6.15 (2) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,3,62 6.15 (2) (bm) Except as authorized in s. 6.79 (7), when making application in
3person at the office of the municipal clerk, each applicant shall present proof of
4identification. If any document presented by the applicant is not proof of residence
5under s. 6.34, the applicant shall also present proof of residence under s. 6.34. The
6clerk shall verify that the name on the proof of identification presented by the elector
7conforms to the name on the elector's application, shall verify that any photograph
8appearing on that document reasonably resembles the elector, and shall enter the

1type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence, the name
2of the entity or institution that issued the identifying document, and, if the
3identifying document includes a number that applies only to the individual holding
4that document, the last 4 digits of that number on the application form. If the
5number on the identifying document submitted by the elector has 6 or fewer digits,
6the clerk shall enter only the last 2 digits of that number.
SB241,2 7Section 2. 6.29 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,3,218 6.29 (2) (b) Upon the filing of the registration form required by this section, the
9municipal clerk or clerk's agent under s. 6.33 (5) (b) shall enter the type of identifying
10document submitted by the elector as proof of residence, the name of the entity or
11institution that issued the identifying document, and, if the identifying document
12includes a number that applies only to the individual holding that document, the last
134 digits of that number on the registration form. If the number on the identifying
14document submitted by the elector has 6 or fewer digits, the clerk shall enter only
15the last 2 digits of that number. The municipal clerk or clerk's agent under s. 6.33
16(5) (b) shall issue a certificate containing the name and address of the elector
17addressed to the inspectors of the proper ward or election district directing that the
18elector be permitted to cast his or her vote if the elector complies with all
19requirements for voting at the polling place. The certificate shall be numbered
20serially, prepared in duplicate and one copy preserved in the office of the municipal
21clerk.
SB241,3 22Section 3. 6.32 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,4,923 6.32 (4) If the form is sufficient to accomplish registration and the commission
24or clerk has no reliable information to indicate that the proposed elector is not
25qualified, the commission or clerk shall enter the elector's name on the registration

1list and. The commission shall transmit a 1st class letter or postcard to the
2registrant, specifying the elector's ward or aldermanic district, or both, if any, and
3polling place. The letter or postcard shall be sent within 10 days of receipt of the form
4by the clerk. If the letter or postcard is returned, or if the commission or clerk is
5informed of a different address than the one specified by the elector, the commission
6or clerk shall change the status of the elector on the list from eligible to ineligible.
7The letter or postcard shall be marked in accordance with postal regulations to
8ensure that it will be returned to the commission or clerk if the elector does not reside
9at the address given on the letter or postcard.
SB241,4 10Section 4. 6.33 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,5,2511 6.33 (1) The commission shall prescribe the format, size, and shape of
12registration forms. All nonelectronic forms shall be printed and each item of
13information shall be of uniform font size, as prescribed by the commission. Except
14as otherwise provided in this subsection, electronic forms shall contain the same
15information as nonelectronic forms. The municipal clerk shall supply sufficient
16forms to meet voter registration needs. The commission shall design the form to
17obtain from each elector information as to name; date; residence location; location of
18previous residence immediately before moving to current residence location;
19citizenship; date of birth; age; the number of a current and valid operator's license
20issued to the elector under ch. 343 or the last 4 digits of the elector's social security
21account number; whether the elector has resided within the ward or election district
22for the number of consecutive days specified in s. 6.02 (1); whether the elector has
23been convicted of a felony for which he or she has not been pardoned, and if so,
24whether the elector is incarcerated, or on parole, probation, or extended supervision;
25whether the elector is disqualified on any other ground from voting; and whether the

1elector is currently registered to vote at any other location. The commission shall
2include on the nonelectronic form a space for the elector's signature and on the
3electronic form the authorization specified under s. 6.30 (5). Below the space for the
4signature or authorization, respectively, the commission shall include the following
5statement: “Falsification of information on this form is punishable under Wisconsin
6law as a Class I felony." The commission shall include on the form a space to enter
7the name of any inspector, municipal clerk, or deputy clerk under s. 6.55 (2) who
8obtains the form and a space for the inspector, clerk, or deputy clerk to sign his or her
9name, affirming that the inspector, clerk, or deputy clerk has accepted the form. The
10commission shall include on the form a space for entry of the ward and aldermanic
11district, if any, where the elector resides and any other information required to
12determine the offices and referenda for which the elector is certified to vote. The
13commission shall also include on the form a space where the clerk may record an
14indication of whether the form is received by mail or by electronic application, a space
15where the clerk shall record an indication of the type of identifying document
16submitted by the elector as proof of residence under s. 6.34 or an indication that the
17elector's information in lieu of proof of residence was verified under s. 6.34 (2m), the
18name of the entity or institution that issued the identifying document, and, if the
19identifying document includes a number that applies only to the individual holding
20that document, that number. The commission shall also include on the form a space
21where the clerk, for any elector who possesses a valid voting identification card
22issued to the person under s. 6.47 (3), may record the identification serial number
23appearing on the voting identification card. Each county clerk shall obtain sufficient
24registration forms for completion by an elector who desires to register to vote at the
25office of the county clerk under s. 6.28 (4).
SB241,5
1Section 5. 6.33 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,6,112 6.33 (2) (a) All information may be recorded by any person, except that the clerk
3shall record the ward and aldermanic district, if any, other geographic information
4under sub. (1), the indication of whether the registration is received by mail, and the
5type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence under s.
66.34. Except as provided in s. 6.30 (5), each elector shall sign his or her own name
7unless the elector is unable to sign his or her name due to physical disability. In such
8case, the elector may authorize another elector to sign the form on his or her behalf.
9If the elector so authorizes, the elector signing the form shall attest to a statement
10that the application is made upon request and by authorization of a named elector
11who is unable to sign the form due to physical disability.
SB241,6 12Section 6. 6.34 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,6,1813 6.34 (2) Except as provided in sub. (2m), upon completion of a registration form
14prescribed under s. 6.33, each eligible elector who is required to register under s.
156.27, who is not a military elector or an overseas elector, shall provide an identifying
16a document, which may be provided in electronic format, that establishes proof of
17residence under sub. (3). If the elector registered by mail or by electronic application,
18the identifying document may not be a residential lease.
SB241,7 19Section 7. 6.34 (3) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,6,2220 6.34 (3) (a) (intro.) An identifying A document used to establish proof of an
21elector's residence under sub. (2) shall contain the information required under par.
22(b) and is limited to one of the following:
SB241,8 23Section 8. 6.34 (3) (a) 1m. of the statutes is created to read:
SB241,6,2424 6.34 (3) (a) 1m. An unexpired driving receipt under s. 343.11.
SB241,9 25Section 9. 6.34 (3) (a) 2m. of the statutes is created to read:
SB241,7,1
16.34 (3) (a) 2m. An unexpired identification card receipt issued under s. 343.50.
SB241,10 2Section 10. 6.34 (3) (a) 10. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,7,33 6.34 (3) (a) 10. A paycheck, pay stub, or pay statement.
SB241,11 4Section 11. 6.34 (3) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,7,75 6.34 (3) (b) (intro.) Except as provided in par. (a) 7., the identifying documents
6prescribed in par. (a) shall contain all of the following in order to be considered proof
7of residence:
SB241,12 8Section 12. 6.34 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,7,119 6.34 (3) (c) Identifying documents Documents specified in par. (a) which are
10valid for use during a specified period must be valid on the day that an elector makes
11application for registration in order to constitute proof of residence.
SB241,13 12Section 13. 6.36 (1) (a) 12. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,7,2013 6.36 (1) (a) 12. An indication of whether the elector was required under s. 6.34
14to provide proof of residence and, if so, the type of identifying document submitted
15as proof of residence, the name of the entity or institution that issued the identifying
16document, and, if the identifying document included a number that applies only to
17the individual holding that document, up to the last 4 digits of that number. If the
18number on the identifying document submitted by the elector had 6 or fewer digits,
19the list under this paragraph may not contain more than the last 2 digits of that
20number.
SB241,14 21Section 14. 6.36 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,8,1322 6.36 (2) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), each registration list prepared for use
23as a poll list at a polling place or for purposes of canvassing absentee ballots at an
24election shall contain the full name and address of each registered elector; a blank
25column for the entry of the serial number of the electors when they vote or the poll

1list number used by the municipal board of absentee ballot canvassers in canvassing
2absentee ballots; an indication next to the name of each elector for whom proof of
3residence under s. 6.34 is required; a space for entry of the type of and the name of
4the entity or institution that issued the identifying document submitted by the
5elector as proof of residence when proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required; a space
6for entry of the elector's signature, or if another person signed the elector's
7registration form for the elector by reason of the elector's physical disability, the word
8“exempt"; and a form of certificate bearing the certification of the commission
9administrator stating that the list is a true and complete registration list of the
10municipality or the ward or wards for which the list is prepared. The commission
11shall, by rule, prescribe the space and location for entry of each elector's signature
12on the poll list which shall provide for entry of the signature without changing the
13orientation of the poll list from the orientation used by the election officials.
SB241,15 14Section 15. 6.36 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,8,2415 6.36 (2) (c) The list shall contain, next to the name of each elector, an indication
16of whether proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required for the elector to be permitted
17to vote. If proof of residence is provided, the type of identifying document submitted
18by the elector and the name of the entity or institution that issued the identifying
19document, or an indication that the information provided by the elector in lieu of
20proof of residence was verified under s. 6.34 (2m), shall be entered on the list in the
21space provided. Except as provided in s. 6.34 (2m), proof of residence is required if
22the elector is not a military elector or an overseas elector and the elector registers by
23mail or by electronic application and has not previously voted in an election in this
24state.
SB241,16 25Section 16. 6.55 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,9,12
16.55 (2) (b) Upon executing the registration form under par. (a), the elector
2shall provide proof of residence under s. 6.34. The signing by the elector executing
3the registration form shall be in the presence of the election registration official or
4inspector. Upon receipt of the registration form, the official or inspector shall enter
5both the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence
6and the name of the entity or institution that issued the identifying document, and,
7if the identifying document includes a number that applies only to the individual
8holding that document, that number in the space provided on the form. The official
9or inspector shall then print his or her name on and sign the form, indicating that
10the official or inspector has accepted the form. Upon compliance with this procedure,
11the elector shall be permitted to cast his or her vote, if the elector complies with all
12other requirements for voting at the polling place.
SB241,17 13Section 17. 6.55 (2) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB241,9,2514 6.55 (2) (c) 1. As an alternative to registration at the polling place under pars.
15(a) and (b), the board of election commissioners, or the governing body of any
16municipality, may by resolution require a person who qualifies as an elector and who
17is not registered and desires to register on the day of an election to do so at another
18readily accessible location in the same building as the polling place serving the
19elector's residence or at an alternate polling place assigned under s. 5.25 (5) (b),
20instead of at the polling place serving the elector's residence. In such case, the
21municipal clerk shall prominently post a notice of the registration location at the
22polling place. An eligible elector who desires to register shall execute a registration
23form as prescribed under par. (a) and provide proof of residence as provided under
24s. 6.34. The signing by the person executing the registration form shall be in the
25presence of the municipal clerk, deputy clerk, or election registration official. Upon

1receipt of the registration form, the municipal clerk, deputy clerk, or election
2registration official shall enter the type of identifying document submitted by the
3elector as proof of residence, the name of the entity or institution that issued the
4identifying document, and, if the identifying document includes a number that
5applies only to the individual holding that document, the last 4 digits of that number
6in the space provided on the form. If the number on the identifying document
7submitted by the elector has 6 or fewer digits, the clerk shall enter only the last 2
8digits of that number. The municipal clerk, the deputy clerk, or the election
9registration official shall then print his or her name and sign the form, indicating
10that the clerk, deputy clerk, or official has accepted the form. Upon proper
11completion of registration, the municipal clerk, deputy clerk, or election registration
12official shall serially number the registration and give one copy to the person for
13presentation at the polling place serving the person's residence or an alternate
14polling place assigned under s. 5.25 (5) (b).
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