Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

Wisconsin Senate Bill SB220

Introduced
4/25/25  
Refer
4/25/25  

Caption

An Act to renumber and amend 8.40 (2); to amend 8.10 (3) (intro.), 8.15 (4) (a), 8.20 (3) and 9.10 (2) (em) 2.; to create 8.40 (2) (b) of the statutes; Relating to: residency requirements for persons circulating nomination papers or recall petitions.

Impact

The proposed changes in SB220 are designed to ensure that only individuals with a vested interest in Wisconsin—the state's eligible voters—can influence its electoral processes by gathering signatures for candidates or recall efforts. This bill could potentially reduce the number of people who may participate in the electoral process as circulators, which could impact how effectively candidates can mobilize support and gather the required signatures for their nomination papers or recall petitions.

Summary

Senate Bill 220 seeks to amend existing statutes concerning who is eligible to circulate nomination papers and recall petitions in Wisconsin elections. Under the current law, any U.S. citizen aged 18 or older can serve as a circulator if they are eligible to vote in Wisconsin or would not be disqualified if they were a resident. However, SB220 introduces stricter residency requirements, stipulating that only individuals who are eligible voters in Wisconsin can circulate these materials, thereby limiting the pool of potential circulators.

Contention

Supporters of SB220 argue that the bill enhances the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring that only Wisconsin voters can gather signatures, thereby preventing potential abuse by individuals outside the state or not closely connected to the electoral districts. On the other hand, opponents may contend that this restriction could overly limit public participation and representation in the political process, particularly for individuals who wish to engage in local governance or challenge incumbent officials through recall efforts.

Companion Bills

WI AB223

Crossfiled An Act to renumber and amend 8.40 (2); to amend 8.10 (3) (intro.), 8.15 (4) (a), 8.20 (3) and 9.10 (2) (em) 2.; to create 8.40 (2) (b) of the statutes; Relating to: residency requirements for persons circulating nomination papers or recall petitions.

Previously Filed As

WI AB223

Residency requirements for persons circulating nomination papers or recall petitions.

WI SB1180

Circulating or signing nomination papers and certain petitions.

WI S0741

Amends several statutes relating to elections and the dates for primaries and dates within which to file nomination papers and object to nomination papers.

WI SB233

Inducements to sign or refrain from signing nomination papers, recall petitions, and certain other petitions.

WI AB227

Inducements to sign or refrain from signing nomination papers, recall petitions, and certain other petitions.

WI S2133

Amends several statutes relating to elections and the dates for primaries and dates within which to file nomination papers and object to nomination papers.

WI H5381

Amends several statutes relating to elections and the dates for primaries and dates within which to file nomination papers and object to nomination papers.

WI H7089

Amends several statutes relating to elections and the dates for primaries and dates within which to file nomination papers and object to nomination papers.

WI HB2262

In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for special elections for United States Senator and nominations and for nominations for special election for Representative in Congress, Senator and Representative in the General Assembly and member of council or legislative body of cities, boroughs, towns and townships; and, in nominations of candidates, further providing for number of signers required for nomination petitions of candidates at primaries, for nominations by minor political parties, for place and time of filing nomination petitions and filing fees and for nominations by political bodies, repealing provisions relating to filing fee and further providing for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers and for vacancy in party nomination by failure to pay filing fee or for failure to file loyalty oath.

WI AB100

An act to amend the Budget Act of 2023 (Chapters 12, 38, and 189 of the Statutes of 2023) by amending Items 5227-122-0001 and 7502-495 of Section 2.

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