SB 561

This bill requires the Elections Commission to use all feasible means to

facilitate the registration of all eligible electors of this state and to maintain the

registration of all eligible electors for so long as the electors remain eligible, except

as the law specifically requires electors to take some action to continue their

registrations. Under the bill, the commission must attempt to facilitate the initial

registration of all eligible electors no later than July 1, 2027. To facilitate the initial

registration, the bill directs the commission and the Department of Transportation

to enter into an agreement so that DOT may transfer specified personally

identifiable information in DOT's records to the commission. The bill requires the

commission to maintain the confidentiality of any information it obtains under the

agreement and allows a driver's license or identification card applicant to “opt out"

of DOT's transfer of this information to the commission. Once the commission

obtains all the information required under current law to complete an elector's

registration, the commission adds the elector's name to the statewide registration

list. The bill also permits an individual whose name is added to the registration list

or who wishes to permanently exclude his or her name from the list to file a request

to have his or her name deleted or excluded from the list or to revoke a deletion or

exclusion request previously made. A deletion or exclusion request or revocation of

a deletion or exclusion request may be made in the manner prescribed by the

commission. In addition, the bill directs the commission to notify an individual by

first class postcard whenever the commission removes his or her name from the

registration list or changes his or her status on the list from eligible to ineligible.

The bill also directs the commission to report to the appropriate standing

committees of the legislature, no later than July 1, 2026, its progress in initially

implementing the registration system created by the bill. The report must contain

an assessment of the feasibility and desirability or integration of registration

information with information maintained by the Departments of Health Services,

Children and Families, Workforce Development, Revenue, Safety and Professional

Services, and Natural Resources; the University of Wisconsin System; and the

Technical College System Board, as well as with the technical colleges in each

technical college district.

Under current law, a qualified elector with a current and valid driver's license

or identification card issued by DOT may register to vote electronically on a secure

Internet site maintained by the commission. To register electronically under current

law, a qualified elector must also authorize DOT to forward a copy of his or her

electronic signature to the commission. The authorization affirms that all

information provided by the elector is correct and has the same effect as a written

signature on a paper copy of the registration form. Finally, current law requires the

commission and DOT to enter into an agreement that permits the commission to

verify the necessary registration information instantly by accessing DOT's electronic