Senate Bill 271
Return of absentee ballots and voting in person by electors who have voted by absentee ballot in the same election
Topics: Elections: Ballots, Elections: Officials, Municipality: Officers
Became law
The governor signed it on Apr 6, 2012. It's .
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Introduced, passed
Oct 31, 2011
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Committee, passed
Approved
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Senate vote, passed
Passed Feb 14, 2012
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Assembly vote, passed
Passed 59 to 34
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Governor, passed
Signed
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Law, here now
2011 Wisconsin Act 227
Latest entry in the official record, Apr 10, 2012: “Published 4-19-2012”
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Terms on this page
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act. More in the glossary
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary
Author
A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary
What it does
Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.
Currently, if a qualified elector casts an absentee ballot, whether by mail or in person, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality where the elector resides delivers the ballot in an absentee ballot envelope to the polling place serving the elector's residence. There is no authorization for a municipality to return an absentee ballot to an elector once the ballot has been cast.
The election inspectors (poll workers), upon receiving the absentee ballot of a qualified elector, mark the poll list to indicate that the elector has voted when they count the ballot. No elector is permitted to vote more than once in the same election.
Read the full summary Show less
If a municipality elects to canvass its absentee ballots centrally using a board of absentee ballot canvassers, the board of absentee ballot canvassers marks a separate poll list containing the names of the qualified electors of the municipality to indicate the electors who have cast absentee ballots. The municipal board of canvassers is then required to reconcile the poll list marked at each polling place with the poll list marked by the board of absentee ballot canvassers to ensure that no person is permitted to vote more than once. If the municipal board of canvassers finds that an elector who has voted in person has also cast an absentee ballot, the absentee ballot is void.
This bill provides that if an elector casts an absentee ballot, either by mail or in person, the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners shall not return the ballot to the elector. The bill also provides that an elector who casts an absentee ballot at an election is not permitted to vote in person at the same election on election day.
Who's behind it
3 senators are its . All 3 are Republicans.
2 more lawmakers .
See all 5 names Hide the names
Authors (3)
- Glenn Grothman · Republican, Senate
- Mary Lazich · Republican, Senate
- Leah Vukmir · Republican, Senate
Signed on in support (2)
- Steve Kestell · Republican, Assembly
- Don Pridemore · Republican, Assembly
Versions and amendments
Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.
How lawmakers voted
There were 5 votes on this bill.
Senate Committee on Transportation and Elections vote on an amendment
Passed, 3 to 2 · Jan 19, 2012
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Report adoption of Senate Amendment 2 recommended by committee on Transportation and Elections, Ayes 3, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Senate vote to pass it
Passed, 17 to 16 · Feb 14, 2012
See how each of the 33 senators voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, R: Republican
Yes (17)
- Alberta Darling (R, 8)
- Dale Schultz (R, 17)
- Frank G. Lasee (R, 1)
- Glenn Grothman (R, 20)
- Joe Leibham (R, 9)
- Leah Vukmir (R, 5)
- Luther S. Olsen (R, 14)
- Mary Lazich (R, 28)
- Michael Ellis (R, 19)
- Neal Kedzie (R, 11)
- Pam Galloway (R, 29)
- Rich Zipperer (R, 33)
- Rob Cowles (R, 2)
- Scott L. Fitzgerald (R, 13)
- Sheila Harsdorf (R, 10)
- Terry Moulton (R, 23)
- Van Wanggaard (R, 21)
No (16)
- Bob Wirch (D, 22)
- Chris Larson (D, 7)
- Dave Hansen (D, 30)
- Fred A. Risser (D, 26)
- Jennifer Shilling (D, 32)
- Jessica King (D, 18)
- Jim Holperin (D, 12)
- Jon Erpenbach (D, 27)
- Julie M. Lassa (D, 24)
- Kathleen Vinehout (D, 31)
- Lena Taylor (D, 4)
- Mark Miller (D, 16)
- Robert Jauch (D, 25)
- Spencer Coggs (D, 6)
- Tim Carpenter (D, 3)
- Timothy Cullen (D, 15)
Official motion: “Read a third time and passed, Ayes 17, Noes 16”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote
Failed, 34 to 59 · Mar 15, 2012
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Refused to refer to committee on Election and Campaign Reform, Ayes 34, Noes 59”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote to pass it
Passed, 59 to 34 · Mar 15, 2012 · 4 didn't vote
See how each of the 97 representatives voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, I: Independent, R: Republican
Yes (59)
- Alvin Ott (R, 3)
- Amy Loudenbeck (R, 31)
- André Jacque (R, 1)
- Bill Kramer (R, 97)
- Bob Ziegelbauer (I, 25)
- Chad Weininger (R, 4)
- Chris Kapenga (R, 33)
- Dale Kooyenga (R, 5)
- Dan Knodl (R, 24)
- Dan Meyer (R, 34)
- Daniel LeMahieu (R, 59)
- David Craig (R, 28)
- Dean Kaufert (R, 53)
- Dean Knudson (R, 30)
- Don Pridemore (R, 22)
- Duey Stroebel (R, 20)
- Edward Brooks (R, 50)
- Erik Severson (R, 28)
- Evan Wynn (R, 43)
- Garey Bies (R, 1)
- Gary Tauchen (R, 6)
- Howard Marklein (R, 17)
- Jeff Fitzgerald (R, 39)
- Jeff Mursau (R, 36)
- Jeffrey Stone (R, 82)
- Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R, 52)
- Jerry Petrowski (R, 29)
- Jim Ott (R, 23)
- Jim Steineke (R, 5)
- Joan Ballweg (R, 14)
- Joe Knilans (R, 44)
- Joel Kleefisch (R, 38)
- John Klenke (R, 88)
- John Nygren (R, 89)
- Karl Van Roy (R, 90)
- Kathleen Bernier (R, 23)
- Keith Ripp (R, 42)
- Kevin Petersen (R, 57)
- Lee Nerison (R, 96)
- Margaret Krusick (D, 7)
- Mark Honadel (R, 21)
- Mary Williams (R, 87)
- Michelle Litjens (R, 56)
- Mike Endsley (R, 26)
- Mike Kuglitsch (R, 84)
- Pat Strachota (R, 58)
- Paul F. Farrow (R, 33)
- Richard Spanbauer (R, 53)
- Robin Vos (R, 33)
- Roger Rivard (R, 75)
- Samantha Kerkman (R, 61)
- Scott Krug (R, 72)
- Scott Suder (R, 69)
- Steve Kestell (R, 27)
- Steve Nass (R, 11)
- Thomas Larson (R, 67)
- Thomas Tiffany (R, 12)
- Tyler August (R, 31)
- Warren Petryk (R, 93)
No (34)
- Amy Sue Vruwink (D, 70)
- Andy Jorgensen (D, 43)
- Barbara Toles (D, 17)
- Brett Hulsey (D, 78)
- Chris Danou (D, 92)
- Chris Taylor (D, 76)
- Christine Sinicki (D, 20)
- Cory Mason (D, 66)
- David Cullen (D, 13)
- Donna Seidel (D, 85)
- Elizabeth Coggs (D, 10)
- Fred Clark (D, 81)
- Frederick Kessler (D, 12)
- Gary Hebl (D, 46)
- Gordon Hintz (D, 54)
- Janet Bewley (D, 25)
- Janis Ringhand (D, 15)
- Jill Billings (D, 95)
- JoCasta Zamarripa (D, 8)
- Jon Richards (D, 19)
- Josh Zepnick (D, 9)
- Kelda Roys (D, 26)
- Leon Young (D, 16)
- Louis Molepske Jr. (D, 71)
- Mark Pocan (D, 78)
- Mark Radcliffe (D, 92)
- Nick Milroy (D, 73)
- Penny Bernard Schaber (D, 57)
- Peter Barca (D, 64)
- Robert Turner (D, 61)
- Sandy Pasch (D, 10)
- Sondy Pope (D, 80)
- Steve Doyle (D, 94)
- Tony Staskunas (D, 15)
Didn't vote (4)
- Jason Fields (D, 11)
- John Steinbrink (D, 65)
- Terese Berceau (D, 77)
- Travis Tranel (R, 49)
Official motion: “Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 59, Noes 34, Paired 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote on an amendment
Passed, 58 to 35 · Mar 15, 2012
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Assembly substitute amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 58, Noes 35”. Official record · This vote on its own page
What happened
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Apr 10, 2012
The new law was published.
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Apr 6, 2012
The governor signed it. It became 2011 Wisconsin Act 227.
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Apr 5, 2012
Sent to the governor.
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Mar 15, 2012
The Assembly passed it too, 59 to 34.
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Feb 21, 2012
Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.
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Feb 16, 2012
The Assembly received it.
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Feb 14, 2012
The Senate passed it, 17 to 16.
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Feb 14, 2012
The Senate adopted it.
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Jan 19, 2012
The committee voted to recommend passing it, 3 to 2.
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Jan 19, 2012
“Report adoption of Senate Amendment 3 recommended by committee on Transportation and Elections, Ayes 3, Noes 2” (the official wording)
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Jan 19, 2012
“Report adoption of Senate Amendment 2 recommended by committee on Transportation and Elections, Ayes 3, Noes 2” (the official wording)
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Oct 31, 2011
The committee held a public hearing.
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Oct 31, 2011
Sent to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Elections.
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Oct 31, 2011
Introduced in the Senate.
See the official record, word for word Hide the official record
- Oct 31, 2011 · Senate
Introduced by Senators Lazich, Vukmir and Grothman;Cosponsored by Representatives Pridemore and Kestell
- Oct 31, 2011 · Senate
Read first time and referred to committee on Transportation and Elections
- Oct 31, 2011 · Senate
Public hearing held
- Nov 1, 2011 · Senate
Senate amendment 1 offered by Senator Erpenbach
- Jan 18, 2012 · Senate
Senate amendment 2 offered by Senator Lazich
- Jan 19, 2012 · Senate
Senate amendment 3 offered by Senator Leibham
- Jan 19, 2012 · Senate
Executive action taken
- Jan 19, 2012 · Senate
Report adoption of Senate Amendment 2 recommended by committee on Transportation and Elections, Ayes 3, Noes 2
- Jan 19, 2012 · Senate
Report adoption of Senate Amendment 3 recommended by committee on Transportation and Elections, Ayes 3, Noes 2
- Jan 19, 2012 · Senate
Report passage as amended recommended by committee on Transportation and Elections, Ayes 3, Noes 2
- Jan 19, 2012 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- Feb 13, 2012 · Senate
Placed on calendar 2-14-2012 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Feb 14, 2012 · Senate
Read a second time
- Feb 14, 2012 · Senate
Senate substitute amendment 1 offered by Senator Lazich
- Feb 14, 2012 · Senate
Senate substitute amendment 1 adopted
- Feb 14, 2012 · Senate
Ordered to a third reading
- Feb 14, 2012 · Senate
Rules suspended
- Feb 14, 2012 · Senate
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 17, Noes 16
- Feb 14, 2012 · Senate
Ordered immediately messaged
- Feb 16, 2012 · Assembly
Received from Senate
- Feb 21, 2012 · Assembly
Read first time and referred to committee on Rules
- Mar 2, 2012 · Assembly
Placed on calendar 3-6-2012 by committee on Rules
- Mar 6, 2012 · Assembly
Made a special order of business at 11:55 A.M. on 3-13-2012 pursuant to Assembly Resolution 22
- Mar 15, 2012 · Assembly
Read a second time
- Mar 15, 2012 · Assembly
Refused to refer to committee on Election and Campaign Reform, Ayes 34, Noes 59
- Mar 15, 2012 · Assembly
Assembly substitute amendment 1 offered by Representatives C. Taylor and Barca
- Mar 15, 2012 · Assembly
Assembly substitute amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 58, Noes 35
- Mar 15, 2012 · Assembly
Ordered to a third reading
- Mar 15, 2012 · Assembly
Rules suspended
- Mar 15, 2012 · Assembly
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 59, Noes 34, Paired 2
- Mar 15, 2012 · Assembly
Ordered immediately messaged
- Mar 16, 2012 · Senate
Received from Assembly concurred in
- Mar 20, 2012 · Senate
LRB correction
- Mar 20, 2012 · Senate
Report correctly enrolled on 3-20-2012
- Apr 5, 2012 · Senate
Presented to the Governor on 4-5-2012
- Apr 6, 2012 · Senate
Report approved by the Governor on 4-6-2012. 2011 Wisconsin Act 227
- Apr 10, 2012 · Senate
Published 4-19-2012
Terms on this page
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act. More in the glossary
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary
Author
A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary
From the Wisconsin Legislature's official record, checked Sep 15, 2026. See the source
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote