LRBs0447/1
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2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE
ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1,
TO SENATE BILL 946
February 24, 2022 - Offered by Representatives Petersen and Tauchen.
SB946-ASA1,1,7 1An Act to repeal 8.20 (8) (am); to renumber and amend 7.52 (1) (a); to amend
25.84 (1), 6.15 (4) (a), 6.15 (4) (b), 6.86 (1) (b), 6.87 (6), 6.88 (1), 6.88 (2), 7.15 (1)
3(cm), 7.52 (2), 7.52 (3) (a), 7.52 (4) (a), 7.52 (9) and 8.20 (8) (a); and to create 6.19,
46.88 (4), 7.15 (16), 7.52 (1) (a) 2., 7.52 (1) (d) to (h), 7.52 (10) and 66.0512 of the
5statutes; relating to: transmitting and canvassing absentee ballots,
6presidential ballots, nomination papers for certain independent candidates,
7whistleblower protection for municipal clerks, and providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Early canvassing of absentee ballots
Under current law, absentee ballots may not be canvassed until election day.
Current law additionally provides that any municipality may provide by ordinance
that, in lieu of canvassing absentee ballots at polling places, a municipal board of
absentee ballot canvassers established by the municipality is responsible for
canvassing all absentee ballots received by the municipal clerk by 8 p.m. on election
day. In such a municipality, the board of absentee ballot canvassers is required to
convene a meeting any time after the polls open and before 10 p.m. on election day

to canvass the absentee ballots cast in the municipality in the election. Among the
requirements governing such a meeting, any member of the public has the same right
of access to the meeting that the individual would have to observe the canvassing of
absentee ballots at a polling place.