Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB567

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/26/23
• Refer: 10/26/23
• Report Pass: 11/7/23
• Refer: 11/7/23
• Engrossed: 11/9/23
• Refer: 11/15/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Transmitting and canvassing absentee ballots, use of central counting locations, election night reporting, whistleblower protection for municipal clerks, notifications and verifications concerning citizenship status, court determinations of incompetency and ineligibility to vote, and providing a penalty. (FE)

Impact

The new bill makes significant amendments to existing statutes, such as eliminating the option for municipalities to utilize central counting locations for absentee ballots and requiring immediate action from election officials upon receiving court determinations. Proponents argue that these measures will enhance the integrity of elections by tightening the process of verifying voter eligibility and ensuring that fraudulent activities are reported promptly. However, the legislation has faced pushback from critics who believe these changes might disenfranchise voters or overburden local election officials.

Summary

Assembly Bill 567 aims to modify the processes related to absentee ballots, voter registration, and the verification of voter eligibility in the electoral system. It requires municipal boards of absentee ballot canvassers to convene early, one day before elections, to begin canvassing absentee ballots, thus expediting the overall counting process. The bill also mandates notifications to the Elections Commission regarding voters classified as incompetent or ineligible to vote due to court determinations, ensuring timely updates to voter registration statuses.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding AB567, particularly relating to the potential implications for voter rights and the responsibilities it places on municipal clerks. The bill introduces a class of felonies for electoral officials who fail to meet their obligations under the new regulations, raising concerns about the repercussions faced by those managing election processes. Additionally, the whistleblower protections established within the bill are positively viewed by some, yet others worry about the unintended consequences such protections may have on how election fraud is reported or perceived.