SB685-SSA1,25 Section 25 . 7.52 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB685-SSA1,21,19 7.52 (3) (a) The board of absentee ballot canvassers shall first open the carrier envelope only, and, in such a manner that a member of the public, if he or she desired, could hear, 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 board of absentee ballot canvassers finds that the certification has been properly executed and the applicant is a qualified elector of the ward or election district, the board of absentee ballot canvassers shall enter an indication, including the elector's sequential count number as provided under sub. (2), on the poll list next to the applicant's name indicating an absentee ballot is cast by the elector. The board of absentee ballot canvassers shall then open the envelope containing the ballot in a manner so as not to deface or destroy the certification thereon . The board of absentee ballot canvassers shall take out the ballot without unfolding it or permitting it to be unfolded or examined and shall remove the ballot from the certificate envelope without viewing who the elector voted for. Unless the ballot is cast under s. 6.95, the board of absentee ballot canvassers shall verify that the ballot has been endorsed by the issuing clerk. If the poll list indicates that proof of residence 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 board of absentee ballot canvassers shall proceed as provided under s. 6.97 (2). The board of absentee ballot canvassers shall mark the poll list number of each elector who casts an absentee ballot on the back of the elector's ballot. The board of absentee ballot canvassers shall then deposit the ballot into the proper ballot box and enter the absent elector's name or poll list number after his or her name on the poll list or automatic tabulating equipment.

SB685-SSA1,26 Section 26 . 7.52 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB685-SSA1,22,5 7.52 (4) (a) The board of absentee ballot canvassers shall then open the ballot box and remove and count the number of ballots therein without examination except as is necessary to ascertain that each is a single ballot. If 2 or more ballots are folded together so as to appear as a single ballot, the board of absentee ballot canvassers shall lay them aside until the count is completed; and if, after a comparison of the count and the appearance of the ballots it appears to the board of absentee ballot canvassers that the ballots folded together were voted by the same person they shall not be counted but the board of absentee ballot canvassers shall mark them as to the reason for removal, set them aside, and carefully preserve them. The board of absentee ballot canvassers shall then proceed under par. (b).

SB685-SSA1,27 Section 27 . 7.52 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB685-SSA1,22,11 7.52 (9) The governing body of any municipality that has provided by ordinance enacted under sub. (1) (a) 1. for the canvassing of absentee ballots at all elections held in the municipality under this section may by similar action rescind that decision. Thereafter, the absentee ballots at all elections held in the municipality shall be canvassed as provided in s. 6.88.

SB685-SSA1,28 Section 28 . 7.52 (10) of the statutes is created to read:

SB685-SSA1,22,15 7.52 (10) A member of the board of absentee ballot canvassers or other election official who willfully neglects or refuses to perform any of the duties prescribed under this section is guilty of a Class I felony.

SB685-SSA1,29 Section 29. 7.52 (11) of the statutes is created to read:

SB685-SSA1,22,18 7.52 (11) An ordinance under sub. (1) may not take effect less than 60 days before an election.

SB685-SSA1,30 Section 30 . 12.60 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB685-SSA1,22,24 12.60 (1) (a) Whoever violates s. 12.09, 12.11 or 12.13 (1), (2) (b) 1. to 7. or (3) (a), (e), (f), (j), (k), (L), (m), (y) or (z) is guilty of a Class I felony. This paragraph does not apply to a violation of s. 12.13 (1) (a) by an individual who is determined ineligible to register to vote or to vote under s. 54.25 (2) (c) 1. g., but the individual's vote shall not be included in the final tally for that election.

SB685-SSA1,31 Section 31 . 54.25 (2) (c) 1. g. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB685-SSA1,24,6 54.25 (2) (c) 1. g. The right to register to vote or to vote in an election, if the court finds that the individual is incapable of understanding the objective of the elective process. Also, in accordance with s. 6.03 (3), any elector of a municipality may petition the circuit court for a determination that an individual residing in the municipality is incapable of understanding the objective of the elective process and thereby ineligible to register to vote or to vote in an election. This determination shall be made by the court in accordance with the procedures specified in this paragraph. If a petition is filed under this subd. 1. g., the finding of the court shall be limited to a determination as to voting eligibility. The appointment of a guardian is not required for an individual whose sole limitation is ineligibility to vote. The court shall, no later than 3 days after the determination, notify the elections commission by email of the determination of the court shall be communicated in writing by the clerk of court to the election official or agency charged under s. 6.48, 6.92, 6.925, 6.93, or 7.52 (5) with the responsibility for determining challenges to registration and voting that may be directed against that elector. An email notification sent to the elections commission under this subd. 1. g. shall remain confidential, except as otherwise provided under s. 19.36. The court shall also, at the time of the determination, provide the determination in writing to the individual and the individual's guardian, if applicable. The determination may be reviewed as provided in s. 54.64 (2), and the court shall notify the elections commission, the individual, and the individual's guardian, if applicable, by mail and email of any subsequent determination of the court shall be likewise communicated by the clerk of court. All notices provided to the elections commission under this subd. 1. g. shall include the full name; residential address, including city, state, and zip code; mailing address, if different than the residential address; and date of birth of the individual subject to the determination. If the court appoints a guardian for an individual who is ineligible to vote, the guardian shall, no later than 3 days after the determination, report any residential or mailing address change for the individual to the court, and the court shall immediately notify the elections commission of that address by email. The court shall use a standardized notice of eligibility form to communicate its determinations to the individual and the individual's guardian, if applicable.

SB685-SSA1,24,7 (End)