LRB-1283/1

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2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

2019 Assembly BILL 89

March 21, 2019 - Introduced by Representatives Brooks, Knodl, Murphy, Subeck and Wichgers, cosponsored by Senators Stroebel, Bernier and Nass. Referred to Committee on Campaigns and Elections.

AB89,1,3 An Act to renumber and amend 17.23 (1) (a), 17.23 (1) (b), 17.23 (1) (c) and 17.24 (2); to amend 17.23 (1) (intro.); and to create 17.23 (1) (e) and 17.24 (3) of the statutes; relating to: vacancies in elective offices in cities and villages.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill reorganizes the statutes prescribing the methods for filling vacancies in elective offices in cities and villages. Under current law and under the bill, a special election to fill a vacancy in a city or village office may be held as follows:

1. If the vacancy occurs no later than December 1, the municipality holds the special election concurrently with the spring election.

2. If the vacancy occurs after December 1, the municipality holds the special election concurrently with the spring election in the following year.

3. If the vacancy occurs no later than June 1, the municipality holds the special election concurrently with the general election.

4. If the vacancy occurs after June 1, the municipality holds the special election concurrently with the general election in the following year.

The bill also clarifies that a vacancy in an elective office in a city and village may be filled by appointing a successor to serve for the residue of the unexpired term or until a special election is held or the office may remain vacant until an election is held.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB89,1 Section 1. 17.23 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB89,2,4 17.23 (1) General and special charter cities. (intro.) Vacancies Except as provided in s. 9.10, vacancies in offices of cities operating under the general law or special charter shall be filled as follows: