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Bills · 2015-2016 Regular Session

SB 295

Became law Official bill text Atom feed

Relating to: electronic voter registration, verification of certain registrations, proof of residence for voting in an election, authorizing Wisconsin to enter into agreements to share information related to the registration and voting of electors; election registration officials; testing election officials after training; electronic poll lists; election equipment approval; overvoted ballots; voter registration proof of residency for an individual in a residential care facility; counting of absentee ballots; witness address required for valid absentee ballot; and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

Data processing Elections — Ballots Elections — Campaign expense Elections — Officials Elections — Registration Elections commission Ethics Ethics commission Government accountability board Identification cards Motor vehicle — Driver_s license Municipality — Officers Nursing homes and adult care Transportation, department of — Vehicles Veteran Voting machine

  1. Introduced, completed
  2. Passes Senate, completed
  3. Passes Assembly, completed
  4. Governor signs, completed
  5. Law, completed

Unfamiliar terms? Glossary

What this bill does

Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill makes the following changes to the election laws:

Electronic voter registration

This bill permits a qualified elector to register to vote electronically, eliminates

the position and responsibilities of special registration deputies, and requires the

Government Accountability Board (GAB) to enter into agreements with other state

election administrators to share information related to the registration and voting

of qualified electors.

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

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

commissioners for the municipality or county where the elector resides, 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 Friday 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. Currently, the clerk or board of election commissioners must verify each

registration received by mail or submitted by a special registration deputy by

sending a first-class letter or postcard to the registrant at the registrant's address.

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 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, a qualified

elector enters the same information that appears on the current registration form

and authorizes DOT to forward a copy of his or her electronic signature to GAB. The

authorization affirms that all information provided by the elector is correct and has

the same effect as if the elector signed the form personally. 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.

In accordance with the existing procedure for verifying registrations that are

not received at the office of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners,

the bill provides that when an electronic registration is received, GAB or the clerk

or board of election commissioners of the elector's municipality of residence must

verify each electronic registration by sending a first-class letter or postcard to the

registrant at the registrant's address. Except as otherwise permitted under the bill,

What it would cost

Fiscal estimates filed by state agencies, as official PDFs

Sponsors

Introduced by: LeMahieu (R) , Wanggaard (R)

8 cosponsors

Bernier (R) , Czaja (R) , Kleefisch (R) , Knudson (R) , Rohrkaste (R) , Swearingen (R) , Tittl (R) , Vorpagel (R)

Votes

Senate: Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Elections and Local Government, Ayes 3, Noes 2

Passed 3–2 Feb 5, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Elections and Local Government, Ayes 3, Noes 2

Passed 3–2 Feb 5, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Senate Amendment 10 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

Passed 19–13 Feb 9, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

Passed 19–13 Feb 9, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

Passed 19–13 Feb 9, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Senate Amendment 4 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

Passed 19–13 Feb 9, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Senate Amendment 5 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

Passed 19–13 Feb 9, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Senate Amendment 6 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

Passed 19–13 Feb 9, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Senate Amendment 7 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

Passed 19–13 Feb 9, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Senate Amendment 8 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

Passed 19–13 Feb 9, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Senate Amendment 9 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

Passed 19–13 Feb 9, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 adopted, Ayes 19, Noes 13

Passed 19–13 Feb 9, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

Passed 19–13 Feb 9, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Decision of the Chair stands as the judgement of the Senate, Ayes 19, Noes 13

Passed 19–13 Feb 9, 2016 official source full page

Not voting · 1

Senate: Read a third time and passed, Ayes 19, Noes 13

Passed 19–13 Feb 9, 2016 official source full page

Not voting · 1

Assembly: Refused to reject Assembly Amendment 2, Ayes 34, Noes 62

Failed 34–62 Feb 16, 2016 official source full page

Nay · 62

Not voting · 3

Assembly: Read a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 56, Noes 38, Paired 4

Passed 56–38 Feb 16, 2016 official source full page

Aye · 56

Not voting · 1

Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 62, Noes 34

Passed 62–34 Feb 16, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 62, Noes 34

Passed 62–34 Feb 16, 2016 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Full history

  1. Oct 9, 2015 · Senate

    Introduced by Senators LeMahieu, Risser, Wanggaard and Miller; cosponsored by Representatives Bernier, Berceau, Czaja, Kahl, Kleefisch, Knudson, Kolste, Pope, Rohrkaste, Sargent, Swearingen, Tittl and Vorpagel

  2. Oct 9, 2015 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Elections and Local Government

  3. Oct 12, 2015 · Senate

    Senator Risser withdrawn as a coauthor

  4. Oct 12, 2015 · Senate

    Senator Miller withdrawn as a coauthor

  5. Oct 12, 2015 · Senate

    Representative Sargent withdrawn as a cosponsor

  6. Oct 12, 2015 · Senate

    Representative Pope withdrawn as a cosponsor

  7. Oct 12, 2015 · Senate

    Representative Kahl withdrawn as a cosponsor

  8. Oct 12, 2015 · Senate

    Representative Kolste withdrawn as a cosponsor

  9. Oct 12, 2015 · Senate

    Representative Berceau withdrawn as a cosponsor

  10. Oct 13, 2015 · Senate

    Public hearing held

  11. Feb 2, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator LeMahieu

  12. Feb 3, 2016 · Senate

    Fiscal estimate received

  13. Feb 3, 2016 · Senate

    Executive action taken

  14. Feb 5, 2016 · Senate

    Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Elections and Local Government, Ayes 3, Noes 2

  15. Feb 5, 2016 · Senate

    Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Elections and Local Government, Ayes 3, Noes 2

  16. Feb 5, 2016 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  17. Feb 8, 2016 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 2-9-2016 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  18. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator LeMahieu

  19. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Placed on the foot of the 11th order of business on the calendar of 2-9-2016

  20. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Senators Lassa, Carpenter, L. Taylor, Erpenbach, Risser, Miller, Bewley, Vinehout, Wirch, Shilling and Hansen

  21. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Miller, Risser, Vinehout, L. Taylor, Ringhand, Bewley, C. Larson, Carpenter, Wirch, Hansen, Lassa, Shilling and Erpenbach

  22. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Miller, Risser, Vinehout, L. Taylor, Ringhand, Bewley, C. Larson, Carpenter, Wirch, Hansen, Lassa, Shilling and Erpenbach

  23. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 4 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Miller, Risser, Vinehout, L. Taylor, Ringhand, Bewley, C. Larson, Carpenter, Hansen and Erpenbach

  24. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 5 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Carpenter

  25. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 6 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Carpenter, Hansen, L. Taylor, Wirch, C. Larson, Ringhand, Bewley, Vinehout, Miller, Erpenbach, Risser and Shilling

  26. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 7 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Carpenter, Hansen, Wirch, L. Taylor, C. Larson, Ringhand, Bewley, Vinehout, Miller, Erpenbach, Risser, Shilling and Lassa

  27. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 8 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Carpenter, L. Taylor, C. Larson, Ringhand, Bewley, Vinehout, Miller, Erpenbach, Risser, Shilling, Lassa and Hansen

  28. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 9 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Lassa, Hansen, Wirch, Carpenter, L. Taylor, C. Larson, Ringhand, Bewley, Vinehout, Miller, Erpenbach, Risser and Shilling

  29. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 10 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Lassa, Hansen, Wirch, Carpenter, L. Taylor, C. Larson, Ringhand, Bewley, Vinehout, Miller, Erpenbach, Risser and Shilling

  30. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Read a second time

  31. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Placed on the foot of the 11th order of business on the calendar of 2-9-2016

  32. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 11 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator LeMahieu

  33. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Rules suspended and Senate Substitute Amendment 2 taken up

  34. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  35. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Point of order that Senate Substitute Amendment 1 was not germane not well taken

  36. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Decision of the Chair stands as the judgement of the Senate, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  37. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

  38. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  39. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  40. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 4 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  41. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 5 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  42. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 6 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  43. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 7 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  44. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 8 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  45. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 9 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  46. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 10 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  47. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 11 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

  48. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Substitute Amendment 1 adopted, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  49. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Ordered to a third reading

  50. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Rules suspended

  51. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Read a third time and passed, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  52. Feb 9, 2016 · Senate

    Ordered immediately messaged

  53. Feb 9, 2016 · Assembly

    Received from Senate

  54. Feb 11, 2016 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to committee on Rules

  55. Feb 11, 2016 · Assembly

    Placed on calendar 2-16-2016 by Committee on Rules

  56. Feb 15, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Brostoff

  57. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representative Vos

  58. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Read a second time

  59. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Berceau, Zamarripa and Kessler

  60. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 62, Noes 34

  61. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 62, Noes 34

  62. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Placed at the foot of the calendar of 2-16-2016

  63. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Refused to reject Assembly Amendment 2, Ayes 34, Noes 62

  64. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 adopted

  65. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Ordered to a third reading

  66. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Rules suspended

  67. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Read a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 56, Noes 38, Paired 4

  68. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  69. Feb 17, 2016 · Senate

    Received from Assembly amended and concurred in as amended, Assembly Amendment 2 adopted

  70. Mar 14, 2016 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 3-15-2016 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  71. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Assembly Amendment 2 concurred in

  72. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Action ordered immediately messaged

  73. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Report correctly enrolled

  74. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Presented to the Governor on 3-15-2016

  75. Mar 16, 2016 · Senate

    Report approved by the Governor on 3-16-2016. 2015 Wisconsin Act 261

  76. Mar 16, 2016 · Senate

    Published 3-17-2016