Senate Bill 205
Absentee voting in certain residential care facilities and retirement homes and providing a penalty
Vetoed by the governor
Both chambers passed it, and the governor vetoed it on Aug 10, 2021. Lawmakers did not , so it stands.
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Introduced, passed
Mar 16, 2021
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Committee, passed
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Senate vote, passed
Passed Jun 9, 2021
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Assembly vote, passed
Passed 60 to 38
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Governor, stopped here
Vetoed Aug 10, 2021.
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Law, not reached
Latest entry in the official record, May 17, 2022: “Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82”
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Terms on this page
Veto override
Lawmakers can still pass a bill the governor vetoed, but it takes two-thirds of each chamber.
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 would have done
Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.
Under current law, a municipal clerk is required, under certain circumstances, to dispatch special voting deputies to a residential care facility or qualified retirement home so that the occupants of the facility or home may cast an absentee ballot in person with the special voting deputies rather than vote in person at the appropriate polling place or request and complete an absentee ballot by mail. Under current law, a retirement home is a facility occupied as a primary residence by 10 or more unrelated individuals. A qualified retirement home is a retirement home that has a significant number of occupants who lack adequate transportation to the polling place, need assistance in voting, are aged 60 or over, or are indefinitely confined.
Under current law, the special voting deputies must arrange with the administrator of the qualified retirement home or residential care facility one or more convenient times to visit the home or facility. The administrator of the home or facility may, upon the request of a relative of an occupant of the home or facility notify the relative of the time or times at which special voting deputies will conduct absentee voting at the home or facility.
Read the full summary Show less
This bill requires the administrator to provide notice of the dates and times when the deputies will be visiting the home or facility to the relatives for whom the home or facility has contact information for each occupant who intends to vote by absentee ballot with the special voting deputies.
The bill also provides that an employee of a qualified retirement home or residential care facility who influences an occupant of the home or facility to apply for or not apply for an absentee ballot or cast or refrain from casting a ballot or influences an occupant's decision for whom to cast a ballot is guilty of the Class I felony.
Who's behind it
8 senators are its . All 8 are Republicans.
14 more lawmakers .
See all 22 names Hide the names
Authors (8)
- Joan Ballweg · Republican, Senate
- Alberta Darling · Republican, Senate
- Mary Felzkowski · Republican, Senate
- Howard Marklein · Republican, Senate
- Steve Nass · Republican, Senate
- Roger Roth · Republican, Senate
- Duey Stroebel · Republican, Senate
- Van Wanggaard · Republican, Senate
Signed on in support (14)
- Rob Brooks · Republican, Assembly
- Cindi Duchow · Republican, Assembly
- James Edming · Republican, Assembly
- Rick Gundrum · Republican, Assembly
- Samantha Kerkman · Republican, Assembly
- Dan Knodl · Republican, Assembly
- Scott Krug · Republican, Assembly
- Amy Loudenbeck · Republican, Assembly
- Gae Magnafici · Republican, Assembly
- Dave Murphy · Republican, Assembly
- Ken Skowronski · Republican, Assembly
- John Spiros · Republican, Assembly
- David Steffen · Republican, Assembly
- Chuck Wichgers · 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 3 votes on this bill.
Senate vote
Failed, 2 to 3 · Jun 3, 2021
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Report passage by Committee on Elections, Election Process Reform and Ethics, Ayes 2, Noes 3”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Senate vote to pass it
Passed, 20 to 12 · Jun 9, 2021 · 1 didn't vote
See how each of the 33 senators voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, R: Republican
Yes (20)
- Alberta Darling (R, 8)
- André Jacque (R, 1)
- Chris Kapenga (R, 33)
- Dan Feyen (R, 20)
- Devin LeMahieu (R, 9)
- Duey Stroebel (R, 20)
- Eric Wimberger (R, 2)
- Howard Marklein (R, 17)
- Jerry Petrowski (R, 29)
- Joan Ballweg (R, 14)
- John Jagler (R, 13)
- Julian Bradley (R, 28)
- Kathleen Bernier (R, 23)
- Mary Felzkowski (R, 12)
- Patrick Testin (R, 24)
- Rob Cowles (R, 2)
- Rob Stafsholt (R, 10)
- Roger Roth (R, 19)
- Steve Nass (R, 11)
- Van Wanggaard (R, 21)
No (12)
- Bob Wirch (D, 22)
- Brad Pfaff (D, 32)
- Chris Larson (D, 7)
- Janet Bewley (D, 25)
- Janis Ringhand (D, 15)
- Jeff Smith (D, 31)
- Jon Erpenbach (D, 27)
- Kelda Roys (D, 26)
- LaTonya Johnson (D, 6)
- Lena Taylor (D, 4)
- Melissa Agard (D, 16)
- Tim Carpenter (D, 3)
Didn't vote (1)
- Dale Kooyenga (R, 5)
Official motion: “PASSAGE”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote to pass it
Passed, 60 to 38 · Jun 22, 2021
See how each of the 98 representatives voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, R: Republican
Yes (60)
- Adam Neylon (R, 15)
- Alex Dallman (R, 39)
- Amy Loudenbeck (R, 31)
- Barbara Dittrich (R, 99)
- Bob Wittke (R, 63)
- Calvin Callahan (R, 35)
- Chuck Wichgers (R, 84)
- Cindi Duchow (R, 97)
- Clint Moses (R, 92)
- Cody Horlacher (R, 33)
- Dan Knodl (R, 24)
- Dave Armstrong (R, 67)
- Dave Murphy (R, 56)
- David Steffen (R, 4)
- Donna Rozar (R, 69)
- Elijah Behnke (R, 6)
- Gae Magnafici (R, 28)
- Gary Tauchen (R, 6)
- James Edming (R, 87)
- Janel Brandtjen (R, 22)
- Jeff Mursau (R, 36)
- Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R, 52)
- Jesse James (R, 23)
- Jessie Rodriguez (R, 21)
- Jim Steineke (R, 5)
- Joe Sanfelippo (R, 15)
- Joel Kitchens (R, 1)
- John Macco (R, 88)
- John Spiros (R, 86)
- Jon Plumer (R, 42)
- Ken Skowronski (R, 82)
- Kevin Petersen (R, 57)
- Loren Oldenburg (R, 96)
- Mark Born (R, 37)
- Michael Schraa (R, 53)
- Mike Kuglitsch (R, 84)
- Nancy VanderMeer (R, 70)
- Pat Snyder (R, 85)
- Paul Tittl (R, 25)
- Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R, 19)
- Rick Gundrum (R, 58)
- Rob Brooks (R, 59)
- Rob Summerfield (R, 68)
- Rob Swearingen (R, 34)
- Robin Vos (R, 33)
- Ron Tusler (R, 3)
- Samantha Kerkman (R, 61)
- Scott Allen (R, 82)
- Scott Krug (R, 72)
- Shae Sortwell (R, 2)
- Shannon Zimmerman (R, 30)
- Terry Katsma (R, 26)
- Timothy Ramthun (R, 59)
- Todd Novak (R, 51)
- Tony Kurtz (R, 41)
- Travis Tranel (R, 49)
- Treig Pronschinske (R, 29)
- Tyler August (R, 31)
- Tyler Vorpagel (R, 27)
- Warren Petryk (R, 93)
No (38)
- Beth Meyers (D, 74)
- Christine Sinicki (D, 20)
- Daniel Riemer (D, 7)
- Dave Considine (D, 81)
- David Bowen (D, 10)
- Deb Andraca (D, 23)
- Dianne Hesselbein (D, 27)
- Don Vruwink (D, 43)
- Dora Drake (D, 4)
- Evan Goyke (D, 18)
- Francesca Hong (D, 76)
- Gary Hebl (D, 46)
- Gordon Hintz (D, 54)
- Greta Neubauer (D, 66)
- Jill Billings (D, 95)
- Jimmy Anderson (D, 47)
- Jodi Emerson (D, 91)
- Jonathan Brostoff (D, 19)
- Kalan Haywood (D, 16)
- Katrina Shankland (D, 71)
- Kristina Shelton (D, 90)
- LaKeshia Myers (D, 12)
- Lee Snodgrass (D, 52)
- Lisa Subeck (D, 79)
- Marisabel Cabrera (D, 9)
- Mark Spreitzer (D, 15)
- Nick Milroy (D, 73)
- Robyn Vining (D, 13)
- Samba Baldeh (D, 48)
- Sara Rodriguez (D, 13)
- Shelia Stubbs (D, 78)
- Sondy Pope (D, 80)
- Steve Doyle (D, 94)
- Sue Conley (D, 44)
- Supreme Moore Omokunde (D, 17)
- Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D, 8)
- Tip McGuire (D, 64)
- Tod Ohnstad (D, 65)
Official motion: “CONCURRENCE”. Official record · This vote on its own page
What happened
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May 17, 2022
The veto stood. Lawmakers didn't override it.
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Aug 10, 2021
The governor vetoed it.
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Aug 5, 2021
Sent to the governor.
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Jun 22, 2021
The Assembly passed it too, 60 to 38.
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Jun 15, 2021
Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.
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Jun 10, 2021
The Assembly received it.
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Jun 9, 2021
The Senate passed it, 20 to 12.
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Jun 9, 2021
The Senate adopted it.
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Jun 3, 2021
“Report passage by Committee on Elections, Election Process Reform and Ethics, Ayes 2, Noes 3” (the official wording)
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May 27, 2021
The committee voted on it.
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Apr 15, 2021
The committee held a public hearing.
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Mar 16, 2021
Sent to the Senate Committee on Elections, Election Process Reform and Ethics.
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Mar 16, 2021
Introduced in the Senate.
See the official record, word for word Hide the official record
- Mar 16, 2021 · Senate
Introduced by Senators Stroebel, Darling, Roth, Marklein, Wanggaard, Nass, Ballweg and Felzkowski; cosponsored by Representatives Duchow, Skowronski, Magnafici, Edming, Steffen, Kerkman, Spiros, Krug, Brooks, Loudenbeck, Gundrum, Murphy, Wichgers and Knodl
- Mar 16, 2021 · Senate
Read first time and referred to Committee on Elections, Election Process Reform and Ethics
- Apr 15, 2021 · Senate
Public hearing held
- May 3, 2021 · Senate
Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Stroebel
- May 27, 2021 · Senate
Executive action taken
- Jun 3, 2021 · Senate
Report passage by Committee on Elections, Election Process Reform and Ethics, Ayes 2, Noes 3
- Jun 3, 2021 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- Jun 4, 2021 · Senate
Placed on calendar 6-9-2021 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Jun 7, 2021 · Senate
Senate Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Senator Stroebel
- Jun 9, 2021 · Senate
Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Senator Stroebel
- Jun 9, 2021 · Senate
Read a second time
- Jun 9, 2021 · Senate
Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 adopted
- Jun 9, 2021 · Senate
Senate Substitute Amendment 2 adopted
- Jun 9, 2021 · Senate
Ordered to a third reading
- Jun 9, 2021 · Senate
Rules suspended
- Jun 9, 2021 · Senate
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 20, Noes 12
- Jun 9, 2021 · Senate
Ordered immediately messaged
- Jun 10, 2021 · Assembly
Received from Senate
- Jun 15, 2021 · Assembly
Read first time and referred to committee on Rules
- Jun 16, 2021 · Assembly
Placed on calendar 6-22-2021 by Committee on Rules
- Jun 22, 2021 · Assembly
Rules suspended to withdraw from calendar and take up
- Jun 22, 2021 · Assembly
Read a second time
- Jun 22, 2021 · Assembly
Ordered to a third reading
- Jun 22, 2021 · Assembly
Rules suspended
- Jun 22, 2021 · Assembly
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 60, Noes 38
- Jun 22, 2021 · Assembly
Ordered immediately messaged
- Jun 22, 2021 · Senate
Received from Assembly concurred in
- Jun 28, 2021 · Senate
Report correctly enrolled
- Aug 5, 2021 · Senate
Presented to the Governor on 8-5-2021
- Aug 10, 2021 · Senate
Report vetoed by the Governor on 8-10-2021
- May 17, 2022 · Senate
Placed on calendar 5-17-2022 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)
- May 17, 2022 · Senate
Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82
Terms on this page
Veto override
Lawmakers can still pass a bill the governor vetoed, but it takes two-thirds of each chamber.
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
Veto override
Lawmakers can still pass a bill the governor vetoed, but it takes two-thirds of each chamber.
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