SB 645

Currently, a qualified elector may register to vote at any election by mail or by

completing a registration form with a special registration deputy no later than the

20th day before the election. A qualified elector may also register to vote at an

election in person at the office of the municipal clerk or board of election

commissioners for the municipality where the elector resides no later than 5 p.m. on

the day before the election. In order to register, an elector must provide his or her

name and address and certain other information required to ascertain his or her

eligibility and must sign the form. With certain exceptions, an elector who registers

after the 20th day before an election or an elector who registers by mail and who has

not voted before in an election in this state must provide proof of residence prior to

voting.

This bill permits a qualified elector who has a current and valid driver's license

or identification card issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to register

to vote at an election electronically on a secure Internet site maintained by the

Government Accountability Board (GAB). The bill requires an electronic

registration to be completed no later than the 20th day before an election in order to

be valid for that election. Under the bill, GAB prescribes, by rule, the manner and

method of electronic application, together with requirements for affirmation and

verification of elector information and the method for receipt of electronic application

forms. There is no requirement for a signature. The bill also permits an elector who

is currently registered to vote and who has a current and valid driver's license or

identification card to electronically enter a change of name or address using a similar

procedure. Under the bill, an electronic registration is treated the same as a mail

registration. The clerk or board of election commissioners of the elector's

municipality of residence must verify the registration by sending a first-class letter

or postcard to the registrant at the registrant's address and, if the registrant is voting

for the first time in an election in this state, the registrant must provide proof of

residence before voting in the election. However, the bill also provides that if an

elector who registers electronically provides his or her Wisconsin driver's license

number, together with his or her name and date of birth, and GAB is able to instantly

verify the information electronically by electronically accessing records of DOT, the

elector need not provide proof of residence prior to voting. The bill directs GAB and

DOT to enter into an agreement that permits GAB to verify the necessary

information instantly by accessing DOT's electronic files.

Currently, each municipal clerk and board of election commissioners must

maintain a file of voter registration forms for the electors of the municipality. This

bill provides that the clerk or board must maintain registrations that are entered

electronically in the manner prescribed by GAB, by rule.