Chapter 6

6.30 6.30 How to register.

6.30(1) (1) In person. An elector shall apply for registration in person, except as provided under subs. (4) and (5) and s. 6.86 (3) (a) 2.

6.30(4) (4) By mail. Any eligible elector may register by mail on a form prescribed by the commission and provided by each municipality. The form shall be designed to obtain the information required in s. 6.33 (1). The form shall contain a certification by the elector that all statements are true and correct. The form shall be prepostpaid for return when mailed at any point within the United States. The form shall be available in the municipal clerk’s office and may be distributed by any elector of the municipality. The clerk shall mail a registration form to any elector upon written or oral request.

6.30(5) (5) By electronic application. An eligible elector who holds a current and valid operator’s license issued under ch. 343 or a current and valid identification card issued under s. 343.50 may register electronically in the manner prescribed by the commission. The commission shall maintain on the Internet a secure registration form that enables the elector to enter the information required under s. 6.33 (1) electronically. An elector who registers electronically under this subsection must authorize the commission to obtain from the department of transportation an electronic copy of the elector’s signature, which signature shall constitute an affirmance that all information provided by the elector is correct and shall have the same effect as if the elector had signed the application personally. The commission shall include on the registration form a place for the elector to give this authorization. Upon submittal of the electronic application, the commission shall obtain from the department of transportation a copy of the electronic signature of the elector. The commission shall maintain the application on file and shall notify the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality where the elector resides of its receipt of each completed application. The commission shall also permit any elector who has a current and valid operator’s license issued to the elector under ch. 343 or a current and valid identification card issued under s. 343.50 to make changes in his or her registration at the same Internet site that is used by electors for original registration under this subsection. An elector shall attest to the correctness of any changes in the same manner as provided in this subsection for information entered on an application for original registration.

6.30 History History: 1971 c. 249; 1975 c. 85 ss. 12, 65; 1975 c. 199, 200, 275, 422; 1977 c. 283, 394; 1983 a. 484; 1989 a. 192; 1999 a. 182; 2001 a. 51; 2003 a. 265; 2015 a. 118 s. 266 (10); 2015 a. 261.

6.30 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. EL 3, Wis. adm. code.

6.32 6.32 Verification of certain registrations.

6.32(1) (1) Upon receipt of a registration form that is submitted by mail under s. 6.30 (4) or by electronic application under s. 6.30 (5), the commission or municipal clerk shall examine the form for sufficiency.

6.32(2) (2) If the form is insufficient to accomplish registration or the commission or clerk knows or has reliable information that the proposed elector is not qualified, the commission or clerk shall notify the proposed elector within 5 days, if possible, and request that the elector appear at the clerk’s office or another registration location to complete a proper registration or substantiate the information presented.

6.32(3) (3) If the form is submitted later than the close of registration, the commission or clerk shall make a good faith effort to notify the elector that he or she may register at the clerk’s office under s. 6.29 or at the proper polling place or other location designated under s. 6.55 (2).

6.32(4) (4) If the form is sufficient to accomplish registration and the commission or clerk has no reliable information to indicate that the proposed elector is not qualified, the commission or clerk shall enter the elector’s name on the registration list and transmit a 1st class letter or postcard to the registrant, specifying the elector’s ward or aldermanic district, or both, if any, and polling place. The letter or postcard shall be sent within 10 days of receipt of the form. If the letter or postcard is returned, or if the commission or clerk is informed of a different address than the one specified by the elector, the commission or clerk shall change the status of the elector on the list from eligible to ineligible. The letter or postcard shall be marked in accordance with postal regulations to ensure that it will be returned to the commission or clerk if the elector does not reside at the address given on the letter or postcard.

6.32 History History: 1975 c. 85, 199; 1977 c. 394; 1979 c. 260; 1983 a. 484; 2003 a. 265; 2005 a. 451; 2015 a. 261.

6.325 6.325 Disqualification of electors. No person may be disqualified as an elector unless the municipal clerk, board of election commissioners or a challenging elector under s. 6.48 demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that the person does not qualify as an elector or is not properly registered. If it appears that the challenged elector is registered at a residence in this state other than the one where the elector now resides, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall, before permitting the elector to vote, require the elector to properly register and shall notify the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners at the former residence. The municipal clerk or board of election commissioners may require naturalized applicants to show their naturalization certificates.

6.325 History History: 1983 a. 484 s. 37; 1985 a. 304; 2003 a. 265; 2015 a. 261.

6.33 6.33 Registration forms; manner of completing.

6.33(1) (1) The commission shall prescribe the format, size, and shape of registration forms. All nonelectronic forms shall be printed and each item of information shall be of uniform font size, as prescribed by the commission. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, electronic forms shall contain the same information as nonelectronic forms. The municipal clerk shall supply sufficient forms to meet voter registration needs. The commission shall design the form to obtain from each elector information as to name; date; residence location; location of previous residence immediately before moving to current residence location; citizenship; date of birth; age; the number of a current and valid operator’s license issued to the elector under ch. 343 or the last 4 digits of the elector’s social security account number; whether the elector has resided within the ward or election district for the number of consecutive days specified in s. 6.02 (1); whether the elector has been convicted of a felony for which he or she has not been pardoned, and if so, whether the elector is incarcerated, or on parole, probation, or extended supervision; whether the elector is disqualified on any other ground from voting; and whether the elector is currently registered to vote at any other location. The commission shall include on the nonelectronic form a space for the elector’s signature and on the electronic form the authorization specified under s. 6.30 (5). Below the space for the signature or authorization, respectively, the commission shall include the following statement: “Falsification of information on this form is punishable under Wisconsin law as a Class I felony.” The commission shall include on the form a space to enter the name of any inspector, municipal clerk, or deputy clerk under s. 6.55 (2) who obtains the form and a space for the inspector, clerk, or deputy clerk to sign his or her name, affirming that the inspector, clerk, or deputy clerk has accepted the form. The commission shall include on the form a space for entry of the ward and aldermanic district, if any, where the elector resides and any other information required to determine the offices and referenda for which the elector is certified to vote. The commission shall also include on the form a space where the clerk may record an indication of whether the form is received by mail or by electronic application, a space where the clerk shall record an indication of the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence under s. 6.34 or an indication that the elector’s information in lieu of proof of residence was verified under s. 6.34 (2m), the name of the entity or institution that issued the identifying document, and, if the identifying document includes a number that applies only to the individual holding that document, that number. The commission shall also include on the form a space where the clerk, for any elector who possesses a valid voting identification card issued to the person under s. 6.47 (3), may record the identification serial number appearing on the voting identification card. Each county clerk shall obtain sufficient registration forms for completion by an elector who desires to register to vote at the office of the county clerk under s. 6.28 (4).

6.33(2) (2) 

6.33(2)(a) (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. 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.

6.33(2)(b) (b) Except as provided in s. 6.86 (3) (a) 2., the registration form shall be signed by the registering elector before the clerk, issuing officer or election registration official. The form shall contain a certification by the registering elector that all statements are true and correct.

6.33(4) (4) When an individual’s registration is changed from eligible to ineligible status, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall enter the date and reason for change on the registration list.

6.33(5) (5) 

6.33(5)(a) (a)

6.33(5)(a)1. 1. Except as provided in par. (b) and this paragraph, whenever a municipal clerk receives a valid registration or valid change of a name or address under an existing registration or changes a registration from eligible to ineligible status the municipal clerk or the clerk’s designee shall promptly enter electronically on the list maintained by the commission under s. 6.36 (1) the information required under that subsection.

6.33(5)(a)2. 2. Except as provided in par. (b) and this paragraph, whenever a municipal clerk mails an absentee ballot to an elector or receives an in-person absentee ballot application or an absentee ballot the municipal clerk shall, no later than 48 hours after mailing an absentee ballot or receiving an in-person absentee ballot application or an absentee ballot, enter electronically on the list maintained by the commission under s. 6.36 (1) the information required under that subsection or submit the information to the clerk’s designee who shall, no later than 24 hours after receiving the information from the clerk, enter electronically on the list maintained by the commission under s. 6.36 (1) the information required under that subsection. If a deadline under this subdivision falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline is extended to the next business day.

6.33(5)(a)3. 3. Except as provided in par. (b) and this paragraph, the municipal clerk or the clerk’s designee shall update any entries that change on the date of an election other than a general election within 30 days after the date of that election, and shall update any entries that change on the date of a general election within 45 days after the date of that election. The commission administrator may, upon request of a municipal clerk permit the clerk to update entries that change on the date of a general election within 60 days after that election.

6.33(5)(a)4. 4. The municipal clerk shall provide to the commission information that is confidential under s. 6.47 (2) in such manner as the commission prescribes.

6.33(5)(b) (b) The municipal clerk of any municipality may, by mutual consent, designate any other municipal clerk or any county clerk as the clerk’s agent to carry out the functions of the municipal clerk under this section for that municipality. The municipal clerk shall notify the county clerk of each county in which the municipality is located and the commission of any such designation in writing. The municipal clerk may, by similar notice to the clerk’s agent at least 14 days prior to the effective date of any change, discontinue the designation. If the municipal clerk designates another municipal clerk or a county clerk as his or her agent, the municipal clerk shall immediately forward all registration changes filed with the clerk and voting record information obtained by the clerk to the clerk’s agent for electronic entry on the registration list.

6.33 History History: 1971 c. 304 s. 29 (1), (2); 1971 c. 336 s. 37; 1975 c. 85 ss. 15, 16, 17, 66 (3); 1975 c. 94 s. 91; 1977 c. 378, 394, 447; 1979 c. 32; 1981 c. 44 s. 3; 1981 c. 202 s. 23; 1985 a. 304; 1987 a. 391; 1989 a. 31, 192; 1999 a. 49, 182; 2001 a. 51; 2003 a. 265; 2005 a. 451; 2007 a. 96; 2011 a. 23; 2013 a. 182; 2015 a. 118 ss. 72, 266 (10); 2015 a. 261.

6.33 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. EL 3.02, Wis. adm. code.

6.34 6.34 Proof of residence required.

6.34(1) (1) In this section, “military elector” means a member of a uniformed service on active duty who, by reason of that duty, is absent from the residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote; a member of the merchant marine, as defined in s. 6.22 (1) (a), who by reason of service in the merchant marine, is absent from the residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote; or the spouse or dependent of any such member who, by reason of the duty or service of the member, is absent from the residence where the spouse or dependent is otherwise qualified to vote.

6.34(2) (2) Except as provided in sub. (2m), upon completion of a registration form prescribed under s. 6.33, each eligible elector who is required to register under s. 6.27, who is not a military elector or an overseas elector, shall provide an identifying document that establishes proof of residence under sub. (3). If the elector registered by mail or by electronic application, the identifying document may not be a residential lease.

6.34(2m) (2m) An elector who registers by electronic application under s. 6.30 (5) is not required to provide proof of residence under sub. (2) if, at the time of registration, the elector provides the number of a current and valid operator’s license issued under ch. 343, or the number of a current and valid identification card issued under s. 343.50, together with the elector’s name and date of birth and the commission is able to verify the information specified under sub. (3) (b) using the system maintained under sub. (4).

6.34(3) (3) 

6.34(3)(a) (a) An identifying document used to establish proof of an elector’s residence under sub. (2) shall contain the information required under par. (b) and is limited to one of the following:

6.34(3)(a)1. 1. A current and valid operator’s license issued under ch. 343.

6.34(3)(a)2. 2. A current and valid identification card issued under s. 343.50.

6.34(3)(a)3. 3. Subject to s. 66.0438, any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.

6.34(3)(a)4. 4. An official identification card or license issued by an employer in the normal course of business that contains a photograph of the cardholder or license holder, but not including a business card.

6.34(3)(a)5. 5. A real property tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.

6.34(3)(a)6. 6. Except as provided in sub. (2), a residential lease.

6.34(3)(a)7. 7. Any of the following documents without the address specified in par. (b):

6.34(3)(a)7.a. a. A university, college, or technical college identification card that contains a photograph of the cardholder together with a fee payment receipt issued to the cardholder by the university, college, or technical college dated no earlier than 9 months before the date of the election at which the receipt is presented.

6.34(3)(a)7.b. b. An identification card issued by a university, college, or technical college that contains a photograph of the cardholder if the university, college, or technical college that issued the card provides a certified and current list of students who reside in housing sponsored by the university, college, or technical college and who are U.S. citizens to the municipal clerk prior to the election showing the current address of the students and if the municipal clerk, election registration official, or inspector verifies that the student presenting the card is included on the list.

6.34(3)(a)8. 8. A utility bill for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before the day registration is made.

6.34(3)(a)9. 9. A bank statement.

6.34(3)(a)10. 10. A paycheck.

6.34(3)(a)11. 11. A check or other document issued by a unit of government.

6.34(3)(a)12. 12. For an occupant of a residential care facility, as defined in s. 6.875 (1) (bm), for the purpose of registering at the facility, a contract or intake document prepared by the residential care facility that specifies that the occupant currently resides in the facility. The contract or intake document may also identify the room or unit in which the occupant resides.

6.34(3)(a)13. 13. An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in this state.

6.34(3)(b) (b) Except as provided in par. (a) 7., the identifying documents prescribed in par. (a) shall contain all of the following in order to be considered proof of residence:

6.34(3)(b)1. 1. A current and complete name, including both the given and family name.

6.34(3)(b)2. 2. A current and complete residential address, including a numbered street address, if any, and the name of a municipality.

6.34(3)(c) (c) Identifying documents specified in par. (a) which are valid for use during a specified period must be valid on the day that an elector makes application for registration in order to constitute proof of residence.

6.34(4) (4) The commission shall maintain a system that electronically verifies, on an instant basis, information specified under sub. (3) (b) from the information submitted in lieu of proof of residence under sub. (2m), using the information maintained by the department of transportation pursuant to the commission’s agreement with the secretary of transportation under s. 85.61 (1). If a prospective elector enters information specified under sub. (3) (b) 2. into the system that does not match such information maintained by the department of transportation, the system shall redirect the elector to the department of transportation’s Internet site so that the elector may update his or her information with the department of transportation.

6.34 History History: 2005 a. 451 ss. 40, 43, 44; 2011 a. 23; 2013 a. 182; 2015 a. 261, 374; 2017 a. 226; 2017 a. 365 s. 111; 2017 a. 369.

6.34 Annotation Under sub. (3) (a) 7. b., students who want to prove residence using an educational institution’s dormitory list may do so only if the list contains citizenship information. Federal law preempts the requirement that college and university “dorm lists” include citizenship information. The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 USC 1232g (FERPA), prohibits educational agencies or institutions from releasing personally identifiable information other than directory information, which does not include citizenship status. Thus, FERPA precludes the state from requiring educational agencies and institutions to include citizenship information on certified lists of students who reside in sponsored housing. Luft v. Evers, 963 F.3d 665 (2020).

6.34 Annotation 2013 Wis. Act 182’s requirement for documentary proof of residence and 2011 Wis. Act 23’s elimination of proof by other persons’ corroboration impose slight burdens on voters and do not violate the U.S. Constitution. Because sub. (3) (a) 11. authorizes proof via any document issued by a unit of government, clerks may mail a letter to a voter’s address so that the letter itself suffices as proof. Also, the former Government Accountability Board issued a ruling requiring election officials to accept electronic versions of proof of residence. Wisconsin’s election system is generous in permitting same-day registration at the polling place. Proof of residence helps assign voters to their proper districts and is valid for that reason alone. Luft v. Evers, 963 F.3d 665 (2020).

6.35 6.35 Filing registration forms.

6.35(1) (1) Under the direction of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners, the original registration forms shall be filed in one of the following ways, except as provided in subs. (1m) and (2):

6.35(1)(a) (a) In alphabetical order of the electors’ names.

6.35(1)(b) (b) In alphabetical order according to street names, in numerical order on each street and in alphabetical order of the electors’ names at each address on the street.

6.35(1m) (1m) Original registration forms of electors who have obtained a confidential listing under s. 6.47 (2) shall be filed in alphabetical order after the forms of the other electors.

6.35(2) (2) The commission shall prescribe, by rule, the procedure and methods by which municipal clerks and boards of election commissioners shall maintain records of registrations that are entered electronically under s. 6.30 (5).

6.35(3) (3) Original registration forms shall be maintained in the office of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners at all times.

6.35 History History: 1971 c. 249; 1971 c. 304 s. 29 (2); 1971 c. 336; 1975 c. 85; 1977 c. 394; 1983 a. 484; 1985 a. 304; 1989 a. 192; 1999 a. 49; 2003 a. 265, 326; 2015 a. 261.

6.36 6.36 Official registration list.

6.36(1) (1) 

6.36(1)(a) (a) The commission shall compile and maintain electronically an official registration list. The list shall contain all of the following:

6.36(1)(a)1. 1. The name and address of each registered elector in the state.

6.36(1)(a)2. 2. The elector’s date of birth.

6.36(1)(a)3. 3. The ward and aldermanic district of the elector, if any.

6.36(1)(a)4. 4. For each elector, a unique registration identification number assigned by the commission.

6.36(1)(a)5. 5. The number of a valid operator’s license issued to the elector under ch. 343, if any, or the last 4 digits of the elector’s social security account number, if any.

6.36(1)(a)6. 6. Any identification serial number issued to the elector under s. 6.47 (3).

6.36(1)(a)7. 7. The date of any election in which the elector votes.

6.36(1)(a)8. 8. An indication of whether the elector is an overseas elector, as defined in s. 6.24 (1).

6.36(1)(a)9. 9. Any information relating to the elector that appears on the current list transmitted to the commission by the department of corrections under s. 301.03 (20m).

6.36(1)(a)10. 10. An indication of any accommodation required under s. 5.25 (4) (a) to permit voting by the elector.

6.36(1)(a)11. 11. An indication of the method by which the elector’s registration form was received.

6.36(1)(a)12. 12. An indication of whether the elector was required under s. 6.34 to provide proof of residence and, if so, the type of identifying document submitted as proof of residence, the name of the entity or institution that issued the identifying document, and, if the identifying document included a number that applies only to the individual holding that document, up to the last 4 digits of that number. If the number on the identifying document submitted by the elector had 6 or fewer digits, the list under this paragraph may not contain more than the last 2 digits of that number.

6.36(1)(a)13. 13. A separate column indicating the date on which an elector applied to vote by in-person absentee ballot.

6.36(1)(a)14. 14. Separate columns indicating the date on which the clerk mailed an absentee ballot to an elector and the date on which the elector returned the absentee ballot.

6.36(1)(a)15. 15. A separate column indicating the polling location associated with each elector’s address and ward or aldermanic district, if any.

6.36(1)(a)16. 16. A separate column indicating the mailing address for the municipal clerk associated with each polling location identified under subd. 15.

6.36(1)(ae) (ae)

6.36(1)(ae)1. 1. The chief election officer shall enter into a membership agreement with Electronic Registration Information Center, Inc., for the purpose of maintaining the official registration list under this section. Prior to entering into an agreement under this subdivision, the chief election officer shall ensure that the agreement satisfies all of the following conditions:

6.36(1)(ae)1.a. a. It safeguards the confidentiality of information or data in the registration list that may be subject to transfer under the agreement and to which access is restricted under par. (b) 1. a.

6.36(1)(ae)1.b. b. It prohibits the sale or distribution of the information or data in the registration list to a 3rd-party vendor and it prohibits any other action not associated with administration of or compliance with the agreement.