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2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

2019 Assembly BILL 246

May 24, 2019 - Introduced by Representatives Tusler, Zamarripa, Spreitzer, Anderson, Krug, Loudenbeck, Macco, Mursau, Ramthun, Vruwink and Subeck, cosponsored by Senators Bernier, Miller, Smith, Bewley and Schachtner. Referred to Committee on Campaigns and Elections.

AB246,1,5 An Act to amend 6.15 (2) (bm), 6.29 (2) (b), 6.32 (4), 6.33 (1), 6.33 (2) (a), 6.34 (2), 6.34 (3) (a) (intro.), 6.34 (3) (a) 10., 6.34 (3) (b) (intro.), 6.34 (3) (c), 6.36 (1) (a) 12., 6.36 (2) (a), 6.36 (2) (c), 6.55 (2) (b), 6.55 (2) (c) 1., 6.55 (2) (d), 6.79 (2) (d), 6.79 (4), 6.82 (1) (a) and 6.88 (3) (a); and to create 6.34 (3) (a) 1m. and 6.34 (3) (a) 2m. of the statutes; relating to: voter registration.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill requires a registered elector who has changed his or her name or address to complete a new voter registration. Under current law, if a registered elector changes his or her name, the elector must either provide notice of the change to the municipal clerk prior to election day or to the inspector at the polling place on election day. If notice is given to the inspector on election day, the inspector must notify the clerk of the elector's name change when the election day materials are returned to the clerk's office. Under current law, an elector who has changed both his or her name and address must complete a new voter registration.

Under current law, a document used as proof of identification for voting purposes may not be sufficient to establish proof of residence for voter registration purposes. Conversely, several documents that an elector may use to establish residency, such as a bank statement or utility bill, are not sufficient as proof of identification for voting. In many instances, however, current law refers to an elector providing an “identifying document” as proof of residence. The bill replaces the term “identifying document” with “document” when used in conjunction with establishing proof of residence to avoid voter confusion with regard to the documentation necessary to establish residency.

Current law allows an individual to use an unexpired driving receipt or an unexpired identification card receipt as proof of identification for voting purposes. Both documents include a photograph of the individual to whom the document is issued. An unexpired driving receipt is a temporary document that an individual may use as an operator's license until such time that the individual receives his or her actual operator's license. Similarly, an unexpired identification card receipt is a temporary document that the holder may use until he or she receives an actual identification card. The bill allows an individual to also use an unexpired driving receipt or an unexpired identification card receipt as proof of residence for voter registration purposes if the receipt has the individual's current and complete name and address.

Current law authorizes the use of a paycheck for an elector to establish proof of residence for purposes of voter registration. The bill adds the authority to use a pay stub or pay statement.

The bill also specifies that a document provided as proof of residence for purposes of voter registration may be provided in electronic format.

Under current law, when the municipal clerk or the Elections Commission receives a valid registration form, either electronically or by mail, the registrant receives a letter or postcard that specifies the registrant's ward, aldermanic district, if any, and polling place. The letter or postcard is also intended to verify the registrant's address. The bill clarifies that the commission sends the letter or postcard.

For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

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

AB246,1 Section 1. 6.15 (2) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB246,3,6 6.15 (2) (bm) Except as authorized in s. 6.79 (7), when making application in person at the office of the municipal clerk, each applicant shall present proof of identification. If any document presented by the applicant is not proof of residence under s. 6.34, the applicant shall also present proof of residence under s. 6.34. The clerk shall verify that the name on the proof of identification presented by the elector conforms to the name on the elector's application, shall verify that any photograph appearing on that document reasonably resembles the elector, and shall enter the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence, 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, the last 4 digits of that number on the application form. If the number on the identifying document submitted by the elector has 6 or fewer digits, the clerk shall enter only the last 2 digits of that number.

AB246,2 Section 2. 6.29 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB246,3,21 6.29 (2) (b) Upon the filing of the registration form required by this section, the municipal clerk or clerk's agent under s. 6.33 (5) (b) shall enter the type of identifying document submitted by the elector as proof of residence, 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, the last 4 digits of that number on the registration form. If the number on the identifying document submitted by the elector has 6 or fewer digits, the clerk shall enter only the last 2 digits of that number. The municipal clerk or clerk's agent under s. 6.33 (5) (b) shall issue a certificate containing the name and address of the elector addressed to the inspectors of the proper ward or election district directing that the elector be permitted to cast his or her vote if the elector complies with all requirements for voting at the polling place. The certificate shall be numbered serially, prepared in duplicate and one copy preserved in the office of the municipal clerk.

AB246,3 Section 3. 6.32 (4) of the statutes is amended to read: