SB918: Bill Text

LRB-5909/1

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2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

2019 Senate BILL 918

March 26, 2020 - Introduced by Senators Larson, Smith and Carpenter, cosponsored by Representative Brostoff. Referred to Committee on Elections, Ethics and Rural Issues.

SB918,1,2 An Act to amend 6.28 (1) (a); and to create 6.58 of the statutes; relating to: the deadline for electronic voter registration during a state of emergency.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, the deadline for completing an electronic voter registration is 11:59 p.m. on the third Wednesday preceding the election. If an individual registers in person, the deadline is 5 p.m on the third Wednesday preceding the election, although an individual who misses this deadline may register at the polling place on election day. Finally, if an individual registers by mail, the registration must be received or postmarked no later than the third Wednesday preceding the election.

Under this bill, if the governor declares a state of emergency, the deadline for completing an electronic registration is 5 p.m. on the fifth day preceding the election, which is the same as the deadline for the clerk to receive a request for an absentee ballot by mail.

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:

SB918,1 Section 1 . 6.28 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB918,2,8 6.28 (1) (a) Except as authorized in ss. 6.29, 6.55 (2), and 6.86 (3) (a) 2., registration in person for an election closes at 5 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday preceding the election. Registrations made by mail under s. 6.30 (4) must be delivered to the office of the municipal clerk or postmarked no later than the 3rd Wednesday preceding the election. Electronic Except as authorized under s. 6.58, electronic registration under s. 6.30 (5) for an election closes at 11:59 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday preceding the election. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may assign election registration officials to register electors who apply for an in-person absentee ballot under s. 6.86 (1) (b) or to register electors at a polling place on election day or at a residential care facility, as defined under s. 6.875 (1) (bm).

SB918,2 Section 2 . 6.58 of the statutes is created to read:

SB918,2,13 6.58 Registration during a state of emergency. If the governor issues an executive order declaring a state of emergency, as provided under s. 323.10, electronic registration under s. 6.30 (5) for any primary or election occurring no later than 90 days after the order closes at 5 p.m. on the 5th day preceding the election.

SB918,2,14 (End)