LRB-5765/1
MPG&JK:all
2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE
February 16, 2022 - Introduced by Representatives Gundrum, Rozar, Armstrong,
Behnke, Brooks, Cabral-Guevara, Dittrich, Knodl, Krug, Magnafici,
Penterman, Sanfelippo, Wichgers, Allen, Murphy and Schraa, cosponsored
by Senators Stroebel, Darling, Felzkowski and Marklein. Referred to
Committee on State Affairs.
AB999,1,8
1An Act to repeal 6.87 (4) (b) 3.;
to renumber and amend 6.86 (1) (ar);
to
2amend 6.18 (intro.), 6.27, 6.30 (5), 6.33 (1), 6.36 (1) (a) 5., 6.86 (1) (a) 1., 6.86
3(1) (ac), 6.86 (2m) (a), 6.87 (1), 6.87 (2) (intro.), 6.87 (4) (b) 1., 6.87 (4) (b) 2., 6.87
4(4) (b) 5. and 12.60 (1) (a); and
to create 6.86 (1) (as), 6.86 (8) and 12.13 (3) (md)
5of the statutes;
relating to: absentee ballot applications, unsolicited mailing
6or transmission of absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots, secure
7delivery of absentee ballots, canvassing absentee ballots, voter registration
8requirements, electronic voter registration, and providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Absentee ballots
This bill makes a number of changes to the laws relating to absentee ballots in
Wisconsin.
1. Applications for absentee ballots
Subject to an exception for certain voters at residential care facilities and
qualified retirement homes, current law prohibits a municipal clerk from issuing an
absentee ballot to a voter, including in person at the municipal clerk's office, unless
the voter submits a written application for the absentee ballot. Current law does not
prescribe a specific form of written application for requesting absentee ballots.
The bill requires the Elections Commission to prescribe the form and
instructions of the absentee ballot application. The bill also requires the absentee
ballot application to be separate and distinct from the certificate envelope in which
voters must seal and submit absentee ballots, the outer portion of which includes
certifications of both the voter and a witness. Additionally, the bill requires that the
application require the voter to certify facts establishing that he or she is eligible to
vote in the election and must include at least all of the following information:
a. The voter's municipality and county of residence.
b. The voter's name, date of birth, and contact information, including as
applicable the voter's telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address.
c. The street address of the voter's legal voting residence.
d. The election at which the voter intends to vote absentee.
e. Whether the voter is a military or overseas voter.
f. The voter's confidential identification serial number if the voter has obtained
a confidential listing for purposes of voting.