Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

Wisconsin Senate Bill SB631

Introduced
11/7/23  
Refer
11/7/23  
Report Pass
1/11/24  

Caption

Certain kinds of election fraud, defects on absentee ballot certificates, returning absentee ballots to the office of the municipal clerk, appointment of election officials, allowing an employee of a residential care facility or qualified retirement home to serve as a personal care voting assistant during a public health emergency or an incident of infectious disease, and providing a penalty. (FE)

Impact

The proposed legislation could significantly alter the landscape of election administration in the state. By addressing absentee ballot processes, it aims to enhance voter confidence in elections, particularly during public health emergencies or infectious disease outbreaks. This could provide a framework for safely managing elections in circumstances where traditional voting practices may be compromised due to health risks.

Summary

SB631 addresses several issues related to the integrity and management of elections, focusing specifically on absentee ballots. The bill outlines steps to prevent certain types of election fraud, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the electoral process. It establishes protocols for dealing with defects on absentee ballot certificates and mandates the return of absentee ballots to the municipal clerk's office. Additionally, the bill aims to clarify the roles and responsibilities of election officials in ensuring the proper conduct of elections.

Contention

While the bill's intention to bolster election security may attract support, it is likely to encounter contention regarding its provisions for absentee ballots and the role of personal care voting assistants during emergencies. Critics may raise concerns about the implications of introducing new requirements for returning ballots and how this could affect voter participation, especially amongst vulnerable populations who might rely on assistance. The balance between ensuring secure elections and facilitating voter access is expected to be a central point of debate as the bill progresses.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

WI AB599

Allowing voters to automatically receive absentee ballots for every election, eliminating the indefinitely confined voter status for receiving absentee ballots, and providing a penalty. (FE)

WI SB597

Allowing voters to automatically receive absentee ballots for every election, eliminating the indefinitely confined voter status for receiving absentee ballots, and providing a penalty. (FE)

WI AB312

Hours for voting by absentee ballot in person at the office of the municipal clerk or an alternate site. (FE)

WI AB617

Applying for and returning absentee ballots; use of central counting locations; election night reporting; court determinations of incompetency and ineligibility to vote; preelection tests of electronic voting equipment, and providing a penalty. (FE)

WI HB1162

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in county boards of elections, furth er providing for powers and duties of county boards; in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of applying to vote, persons entitled to vote, voter's certificates, entries to be made in district register, numbered lists of voters and challenges and for ballots to be issued by election officers only, ballots not to be removed and official ballots only to be deposited or counted; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for applications for official absentee ballots, for date of application for absentee ballot, for official absentee voters ballots, for voting by absentee electors and for canvassing of official absentee absentee ballots and mail-in ballots; in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots, for official mail-in elector ballots and for voting by mail-in electors.

WI HB37

In voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for canvassing of official absentee ballots and mail-in ballots; and, in Election Integrity Grant Program, further providing for funding for elections.

WI HB473

In voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for applications for official absentee ballots; and, in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots.

WI HB2329

In voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for voting by absentee electors and for canvassing of official absentee ballots and mail-in ballots; and, in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for voting by mail-in electors.

WI HB499

In voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for applications for official absentee ballots, for date of application for absentee ballot, for envelopes for official absentee ballots and for voting by absentee electors and providing for secure ballot return receptacles; and, in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots, for date of application for mail-in ballot, for approval of application for mail-in ballot, for envelopes for official mail-in ballots and for voting by mail-in electors.

WI SB304

Hours for voting by absentee ballot in person at the office of the municipal clerk or an alternate site. (FE)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.