Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends elections laws regarding absentee ballots and voting requirements in Wisconsin.

Highlights:

• Requires the voter registration status of any individual determined ineligible to vote due to incompetency to be changed to inactive within three days of the determination (Sec. 2).

• Requires individuals whose voter eligibility is restored by a court following a determination of ineligibility due to incompetence to complete a new voter registration (Sec. 2).

• Requires municipal clerks to test voting machines 15 days prior to election day, amended from the previous requirement of 10 days (Sec. 3).

• Repeals language authorizing write-in votes and absentee paper ballots to be counted at a polling place when a central counting location is designated for the municipality (Sec. 5).

• Repeals the requirement for proceedings at a central vote counting location to be open to the public (Sec. 8).

• Requires absentee ballots in a presidential election to be received by 5 p.m. on the 7th day prior to election day in order to be counted (Sec. 10).

• Requires voter registration forms to include a field to disclose if an individual has been determined ineligible to vote or register to vote due to incompetency (Sec. 11).

• Requires alternate vote counting sites to be in a building or facility that constitutes a fixed location (Sec. 13).

• Requires each municipal clerk or their designee to submit to the county clerk a statement of the number of ballots cast, ballots canvassed, and ballots yet to be canvassed, including absentee ballots, at each hour beginning at 10 p.m. on election night (Sec. 18).

• Repeals the authorization for polling places that only employ an electronic voting system to adjourn the canvass of its votes to a central counting location (Sec. 20).

• Exempts individuals who are determined ineligible to vote due to incompetency from the classification of a Class I felony for violation, and specifies that their vote shall not be counted (Sec. 22).

• Specifies that this Act takes effect on the day after publication (Sec. 24).

Full Bill Text