Wrong!

Errors in interpreting and publicizing laws concerning election administration, by people who should know better!

Attention "Honorees" - If you correct this information, you can be moved to the corrected part of the list at the bottom!

1) GAB pretends that it has in effect a rule for observers for polling places, clerk's offices, and recounts.  This rule was an emergency rule that expired long ago.  In 2012 it has no status. 

2) UW System invents residency criteria.  They state that a voter must meet this:  "I have spent the night in the district or ward in Wisconsin where I want to vote for at least 28 consecutive days before Election Day".  The words "spent" and night" are not in the residency statute.  This is contradicted by an Opinion of the Attorney General from 1971, pages 218-219 and 220, and by the GAB.

3) UW-Platteville wrongly states that one must present a student voting card and proof of enrollment when registering to vote.  They confuse registering with voting.  Correct information: http://gab.wi.gov/sites/default/files/publication/137/registration_pdf_21128.pdf

4) Dane County Clerk wrongly states that all who register by mail must provide proof of residence.  Actually, this is only required of first time voters in Wisconsin who do not register through a Special Registration Deputy. Requiring more of a voter than necessary is a violation of the 14th amendment (equal protection) IMHO.  Correct registration information is at http://fairelectionswi.com/Registration.htm

5) A Chief Inspector at a polling place does not know what constitutes "electioneering."  See GAB memo on election day petitioning.

6) ACLU states "You can register to vote anytime between now and the recall election on June 5."  Actually, you cannot register on the Saturday, Sunday, or Monday before the election.  See page 6 of the Legislative Council Act Memo for Act 23.

7) Ballotpedia has a page "Voting Laws in Wisconsin" that is far out of date.  It does not include laws enacted in the 2011-2012 legislative session.

8) Wisconsin State Journal prints a guide to voting in the August 14 primary, but makes two mistakes.
A) Wrong: It states that if you have a Wisconsin ID card, you must provide the number in order to register.  Correct: If you do not have a current and valid drivers license, you may provide either the ID card number or the last four digits of your social security number.
B) Wrong: The Q&A states that if you forget to bring your drivers license, you will be forced to vote a provisional ballot.  Correct:  you do not have to bring the license, you only have to provide the number.

Report more wrong items and corrections of the above to Paul Malischke malischke@yahoo.com  Last updated July 30, 2012