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   Last updated Sunday, August 01, 2021

2021-22 Election Administration Bills in Wisconsin

The main Senate committee for election bills is Elections, Election Process Reform, and Ethics (EEE)
3 Republicans: Chair is Kathy Bernier (Chippewa Falls. Vice Chair is Alberta Darling (River Hills).  Member: Duey Stroebel (Saukville).
2 Democrats: Jeff Smith (Eau Claire) and Kelda Roys (Madison)

The main Assembly committee for election bills is Campaigns and Elections (C&E).
6 Republicans: Chair is Janel Brandtjen (Menomonee Falls).  Vice Chair is Joe Sanfelippo (New Berlin).  Members:  David Murphy (Greenville), Donna Rozar (Marshfield), Jeremy Thiesfeldt (Fond du Lac), and Ron Tusler (Harrison).
3 Democrats: Mark Spreitzer (Beloit), Jodi Emerson (Eau Claire), and Lisa Subeck (Madison).

Vetoed by Governor:  AB-173,  AB-369,

Bills that passed both houses and as of July 13 have not been presented to the Governor:  Senate Bills 203, 204, 205, 210, 212, and 292. 

Bills that became law

Act 33 - was SB-52.  Requires that if a current officeholder files a notification of noncandidacy or fails to file a notification of candidacy by the required deadline, the clerk with whom the candidacy is required to be filed must publish it on the clerk's office or government body's website or post it in at least three locations in the jurisdiction.

Act 34 - was SB-102.  Allows a student who is 16 or 17 years old and enrolled in a home-based private educational program to serve as an election inspector.

Act 38 - was SB-208.  Requires the Wisconsin Elections Commission to post on their website draft minutes within 48 hours after a meeting or hearing and to post approved minutes within 48 hours after the commission approves the minutes; and requires the meeting minutes to include the full text of each motion debated and voted on by the commission.

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Bills introduced    (This list does NOT include campaign finance bills.)  Bills passed (by at least one house) are in red.

# & Main Author

Status

Subject & Comments
Senate Bills
SB-21 Jacque

Companion to AB-21

 Public hearing 3/11/21.  Exec 5/5/21 canceled by chair since it needs work State would pay for special elections for state office.  Similar to 2019 SB-71, which passed Senate unanimously.
SB-52 Stroebel Companion to AB-51 Public hearing 3/11/21.  Passed by committee 5-0 on 3/18/21.  Passed by Senate 3/23/21.  Passed by Assembly 5/11/21. Signed by Gov, now Act 33 5/21/21 Requires public notice of noncandicay for incumbents
SB-61 Kooyenga Companion to AB-35 Introduced and referred to EEE 2/5/21 Allocate presidential electors by congressional district
SB-102 Bernier Companion to AB-94 Public hearing 3/11/21.  Passed by committee 5-0 on 3/18/21.  Passed by Senate 3/23/21.  Passed by  Assembly 5/11/21.  Signed by Gov, now Act 34, 5/21/21 Allow home schoolers to be pollworkers
SB-111   Evers Companion to AB-68 Introduced and referred to JCF 2/16/21. Exec budget, includes 12 election changes page 193;  Redistricting page 397
SB-178 Bernier Companion to AB-304 Public hearing 3/11/21. Passed by EEE 5-0.  Passed Senate with amendment 1 on voice vote 4/14/21. 17 changes to election administration, mostly technical.  Similar to 2019 SB-240
SB-179 Bernier Companion to AB-305 Public hearing 3/11/21. Passed by EEE 5-0.  Passed Senate on voice vote 4/14/21. Technical changes to registration, including accepting electronic proof of residence.  Similar to 2019 SB-241.
SB-180 Bernier Companion to AB-306 Public hearing 3/11/21.  Passed by EEE 5-0.  Passed Senate 30-1 (Nass) 4/14/21. 9 misc. changes, including stricter procedures for curbside voting.  Similar to 2019 SB-242.
SB-203 Stroebel Companion to AB-192 Public Hearing 5/5/21. Passed by EEE 3-2. Passed by Senate 21-12, 5/11/21, with Amendment 2.  Passed by Assembly 60-38 on 6/22/21 Restricts who and how an absentee ballot can be returned.  Violators commit a felony.
SB-204 Stroebel Companion to AB-201 Public Hearing 4/15/21.  EEE votes 2 ayes (Darling & Stroebel) 3 noes 5/27/21.  Senate passed Sub amendment 1, 18-14 (Bernier & Cowles) 6/9/21.  Passed by Assembly 60-38 on 6/22/21 Harder to apply for absentee ballot; ends permanent list; ends most exceptions to ID law; no unsolicited mailng of applications for absentee ballot. WEC must store pdf of all online registrations.
SB-205 Stroebel Companion to AB-179 Public Hearing 4/15/21..  EEE votes 2 ayes (Darling & Stroebel) 3 noes 5/27/21.  Senate passed 20-12  Sub amendment 2 with amendment 1, 6/9/21.  Passed by Assembly 60-38 on 6/22/21. Retirement home voting: relative must get notice of voting times.  Felony for home employees to help. Sub amendment creates absentee voting assistant; requires clerk to audit 10% of voters.
SB-206 Stroebel Companion to AB-180 Introduced and referred to EEE 3/16/21.  Public Hearing 5/5/21.  EEE votes 2 ayes (Darling & Stroebel) 3 noes 5/27/21.  Referred to Senate org committee 6/9/21. Makes it harder for indefinitely confined to get absentee ballot.
SB-207 Stroebel Companion to AB-173 Public hearing EEE 4/8/21. Passed by EEE 3-2. Passed Senate with amendment 2 on voice vote 4/14/21.  Companion AB-173 passed by both houses. Restricts donations for election administration;  employees of political groups cannot be pollworkers.  Orgs against 8-2
SB-208 Stroebel Companion to AB-172 Public hearing EEE 4/8/21.  Passed by EEE 4-1 (Roys).  Passed Senate on voice vote 4/14/21.  Passed by Assembly 5/11//21.  Both passed with Senate amendment 2.  Signed by Gov, now Act 38, 5/21/21 WEC must post minutes of meetings within 48 hours.  LWV in favor
SB-209 Darling Companion to AB-177 Introduced and referred to EEE 3/16/21.  Public Hearing 5/5/21.  Passed 3-2 by EEE 5/20/21 with Amendment 2.  Senate passed with amendment 2 on voice vote 6/9/21 Absentee ballot drop box must be at clerks office.
SB-210 Darling Companion to AB-170 Public hearing EEE 4/8/21. Passed by EEE 3-2.  Passed Senate with amendment 1, 20-11 on 4/14/21.  Wis Eye minute 19 to 1:02.  Passed by Assembly 60-38 on 6/22/21 For all phases of election, observer area must be within 3 feet.  7-2 orgs against.  Clerks' Ass. in favor.  Amendment 1 changes bill so that within 3 feet only applies to recounts.
SB-211 Darling Companion to AB-178 Public Hearing 4/15/21.  Passed by EEE 5/20/21, 3-2 with Amendment 1 (requires written signature.)  Referred to Senate Org committee 6/9/21 Detailed specs for application for absentee ballot
SB-212 Darling Companion to AB-198 Public Hearing 5/5/21.  Passed by Senate 20-12 (Roth) 5/11/21 with Amendment 1.  Passed by Assembly 60-38 on 6/22/21 Makes it harder to cure defective absentee ballots.
SB-213 Stroebel Companion to AB-194 Public hearing EEE 4/8/21.  Passed EEE 3-2.  Passed by Senate with amendment 2, 20-11 on 4/14/21. Easier to commence legal action against election official; allows some choice of venue.  4 orgs against.
SB-214 Stafsholt Companion to AB-310 Public hearing 5/19/21.  Passed by EEE committee 3-2 with amendment 1, 5/27/21; available for scheduling. For municipalities using central count, authorizes beginning canvassing absentee ballots on the day before an election.  Deadline to fill absentee requests on file would be 21 days before the election, except for military, which would be 45 days.  Neglect by election officials would be a felony.  Changes dates for nomination papers for independent candidates for president.
SB-240 Larson Companion to AB-150 Introduced and referred to Gov Ops 3/24/21 Requires ranked choice voting for all offices
SB-250 Kooyenga Companion to AB-244 Introduced and referred to EEE 3/25/21 Top 5 primary and IRV for Congress
SB-268 Bernier Companion to AB-264 Public hearing 5/19/21.  EEE passes 3-2, on 5/27/21.   Passed by Senate  with amendments 1 & 2, 18 -12, 6/23/21 Recount workers must be paid same as pollworkers
SB-284 Stafsholt Introduced and  referred to EEE 4/8/21 Moves presidential primary to 2nd Tuesday in March.
SB-292 Wimberger Companion to AB-271 Public Hearing 5/5/21.  Passed by committee 3-2 5/7/21.  Passed by Senate 5/11/21.  Passed by Assembly 60-38 on 6/22/21 If a municipality broadcasts canvassing proceedings, the municipality shall record and store it.
SB-297 Bernier Companion to AB-224 Public Hearing 5/5/21.  Passed by committee 3-2.  Passed by Senate with amendment 1, 20-13 on 5/11/21. Terms for local offices extend until the successors are elected.  (An issue April 2020 during consideration of postponing the election.)
SB-363 Smith Companion to AB-359 Introduced and referred to EEE 5/25/21 Requires elected officials to serve as pollworkers
SB-385 Companion to AB-369 Introduced by Committee on Gov't Ops 6/4/21.  Public hearing 6/7/21.  Passed by Gov Ops 3-2.  Companion passed both houses, but vetoed. Delays effect of redistricting for alder and county board until 2023 and 2024.
SB-389 Smith Companion to AB-395 Introduced and referred to Gov Ops 6/10/21 Nonpartisan redistricting by LRB;  similar to Iowa model.
SB-393 Jacque Introduced and referred to EEE 6/10/21 Investigating voters who may have voted more than once
SB-432 Wimberger Companiionn to AB-433 Introduced and referred to EEE 6/24/21 Complaints to the WEC must be copied to legislators
SB-435 Jacque Companion to AB-437 Introduced and referred to EEE 6/24/21 Restrictions on returning absentee ballots
SB-445 Smith Companion to AB- 463 Introduced and referred to EEE 7/7/21 16 or 17 year olds may pre-register to vote
SB-446 Smith Companion to AB-459 Introduced and referred to EEE 7/7/21 Municipal clerk must appoint a special registration deputy at each high school
SB-447 Smith Companion to AB-462 Introduced and referred to EEE 7/7/21 School boards must provide each eligible student with a voter registration form
SB-458 Roys Companion to AB-464 Introduced and referred to EEE 7/21/21 17 year olds can vote in primary if 18 by the time of the following election
SB-459 Roys Companion to AB-460 Introduced and referred to Education 7/21/21 Require voter ed in elementary and high school
     
Assembly Bills
AB-21 Sortwell Companion to SB-21 Public hearing 6/1/21.  Exec 6/16/21 State would pay for special elections for state office.  Similar to 2019 SB-71, which passed Assembly committee and entire Senate unanimously.
AB-35 Tauchen Companion to SB-61 Introduced and referred to C&E 2/10/21 Allocate presidential electors by congressional district
AB-51 Ramthun Companion to SB-52 Public Hearing 4/14/21.  Passed by committee 8-0 4/27/21.  Companion SB-52 became law. Requires public notice of noncandicay for incumbents
AB-68 Evers Companion to SB-111 Introduced and referred to JCF and Tax exemptions committee  2/16/21.  Exec 5/20/21 Exec budget, includes 12 election changes page 193;  Redistricting page 397
AB-94 James Companion to SB-102 Public Hearing 4/14/21.  Passed by committee 8-0 4/27/21.  Companion SB-102 became law. Allow home schoolers to be pollworkers
AB-150 Spreitzer Companion to SB-240 Introduced and referred to C&E 2/18/21 Requires ranked choice voting for all offices
AB-170 Tittle Companion to SB-210 Public hearing 4/27/21.  Amendment 1.  Ass substitute amendment 1.  Exec canceled 5/26/21.  Companion passed 6/22/21 For all phases of election, observer area must be within 3 feet.  Amendment 1 changes bill so that within 3 feet only applies to recounts.  Sub amendment has penalty for obstructing observers and allows them within 3 feet for all phases.
AB-172 Neylon Companion to SB-208 Public Hearing 4/14/21. Amendment 2 makes it 48 hrs.   Passed by committee 8-0.  Companion SB-208 became law. WEC must post minutes of meetings within 24 hours
AB-173 Neylon Companion to SB-207  Passed by Committee 5-3 on 4/27/21.  Passed by Assembly 60-36 with amendment 2, 5/11/21.  Passed by Senate 18-12 (Bernier & Cowles) 6/9/21.  Vetoed by Gov 6/30/21. Restricts donations for election administration;  employees of political groups cannot be pollworkers. Public Hearing 4/14/21.   Leg Council memo.
AB-177 Steffen Companion to SB-209 Introduced and referred to C&E 3/23/21.  Amendment 1 Absentee ballot drop box must be at clerks office.
AB-178 Steffen Companion to SB-211 Public hearing 4/27/21.   Amendment 1 Detailed specs for application for absentee ballot
AB-179 Duchow Companion to SB-205 Public hearing 4/27/21.   Sub amendment 1 passed by C&E, 6-3, on 6/16/21.  Companion passed 6/22/21 Retirement home voting: relative must get notice of voting times.  Felony for home employees to help.
AB-180 Duchow Companion to SB-206 Introduced and referred to C&E 3/23/21 Makes it harder for indefinitely confined to get absentee ballot.
AB-192 August Companion to SB-203 Public hearing 6/15/21. Companion passed both houses Restricts who and how an absentee ballot can be returned.  Violators commit a felony.
AB-194 Brooks Companion to SB-213 Committee on Judiciary hearing 4/15/21.  Amendment 1.  Amendment 2.  Easier to commence legal action against election official; allows some choice of venue.
AB-198 Sanfelippo Companion to SB-212 Public hearing 4/27/21. Amendment 1.  Passed by C&E, 5-3, on 6/1/21 with amendment 2.  Companion bill passed by both houses. Makes it harder to cure defective absentee ballots.
AB-201 Gundrum Companion to SB-204 Public hearing 4/27/21. Sub amendment 1 passed by C&E, 6-3, on 6/16/21. Companion passed by both houses. Harder to apply for absentee ballot; ends permanent list; ends most exceptions to ID law; no unsolicited mailng of applications for absentee ballot. WEC must store pdf of all online registrations.
AB-224 Rozar Companion to SB-297 Amendment 1.  Public hearing 5//18/21.  Amendment 2. Amendment 3.  Amendment 4.  Passed by Locall Gov, 9-0, on 6/16/21, with amendments 2, 3, & 4. Terms for local offices for extend until the successors are elected
AB-244 Kurtz Companion to SB-250 Introduced and referred to C&E 4/6/21 Top 5 primary and IRV for Congress
AB-246 Hebl Introduced and referred to C&E 4/8/21 National Popular Vote
AB-264 Horlacher Companion to SB-268 Amendment 1.  Public hearing 6/1/21.  Exec 6/16/21 Recount workers must be paid same as pollworkers
AB-271 Sortwell Companion to SB-292 Public hearing 6/1/21.   Passed by C&E, 6-3, on 6/16/21.  Companion passed 6/22/21 If a municipality broadcasts canvassing proceedings, the municipality shall record and store it.
AB-304 Magnafici Companion to SB-178 Introduced and referred to C&E 5/3/21 17 changes to election administration, mostly technical.  Similar to 2019 SB-240
AB-305 Magnafici Companion to SB-179 Introduced and referred to C&E 5/3/21 Technical changes to registration, including accepting electronic proof of residence.  Similar to 2019 SB-241.
AB-306 Magnafici Companion to SB-180 Introduced and referred to C&E 5/3/21 9 misc. changes, including stricter procedures for curbside voting.  Similar to 2019 SB-242.
AB-310 Tauchen Companion to SB-214 Introduced and referred to C&E 5/4/21 For municipalities using central count, authorizes beginning canvassing absentee ballots on the day before an election.  Deadline to fill absentee requests on file would be 21 days before the election, except for military, which would be 45 days.  Neglect by election officials would be a felony.  Changes dates for nomination papers for independent candidates for president.
AB-359 Snodgrass Companion to SB-363 Introduced and referred to C&E 5/27/21 Requires elected officials to serve as pollworkers
AB-369 Companion to SB-385 Public hearing 6/2/21.  Passed by Committe on State Affairs, 9-4, 6/8/21.  Passed by Assembly 6/16/21, 59-38.  Passed by Senate 18-12 on 6/23/21.  Vetoed by Gov 7/9/21 Delays effect of redistricting for alder and county board until 2023 and 2024.
AB-395 Andraca Companiion to SB-389 Introduced and referred to State Affairs 6/11/21 Nonpartisan redistricting by LRB;  similar to Iowa model.
AB-398 Brandtjen Companion to SB-393 Introduced and referred to Gov't Accountability 6/14/21 Investigating voters who may have voted more than once
AB-433 Behnke Companion to SB-432 Introduced and referred to C&E 7/1/21 Complaints to the WEC must be copied to legislators
AB-437 Horlacher Comopanion to SB-435 Introduced and referred to C&E 7/1/21 Restrictions on returning absentee ballots
AB-459 Snodgrass Companion to SB-446 Introduced and referred to C&E 7/12/21 Municipal clerk must appoint a special registration deputy at each high school
AB-460 Hintz Companion to SB-459 Introduced and referred to Committee on Education 7/12/21 Require voter ed in elementary and high school
AB-462 Shelton Companion to SB-447 Introduced and referred to C&E 7/12/21 School boards must provide each eligible student with a voter registration form
AB-463 Shelton Companion to SB-445 Introduced and referred to C&E 7/12/21 16 or 17 year olds may pre-register to vote
AB-464 Shelton Companion to SB-458 Introduced and referred to C&E 7/12/21 17 year olds can vote in primary if 18 by the time of the following election
AB-474 Steffen Introduced and referred to State Affairs 7/26/21 elected officials sending materials prior to an election
     
Resolutions and Rules
SJR-8 Bernier Companion to AJR-9 Public Hearing 3/24/21 by Gov Ops.  OK'd by committee 3-2, 4/8/21, available for scheduling Constitutional convention includes term limits for Congress.  Amendment 1.
SJR-12 Stroebel Companion to AJR-16 Public Hearing 3/24/21 by Gov Ops.  OK'd by committee 3-2, 4/8/21, available for scheduling Constitutional convention to establish term limits for Congress
SJR-32 Roth Companion to AJR-54 Introduced and referred to Committee on Constitution 5/14/21. Constitutional amendment to clarify that only citizens can vote
     
AR-3       Allen Introduced and adopted 1/4/21 Claims multiple election law violations. Adopted with no debate Wis Eye at the 1:25:20 mark.  Dems did not attend.
AJR-9 Knodl Companion to SJR-8 Hearing 3/3/21.  Passed by committee 5-4 (Murphy crosses party), Passed by  Assembly with amendment 1 5/11/21.  Available for scheduling in Senate. Constitutional convention includes term limits for Congress
AR-15 Sanfelippo Assembly sub amendment  2 Passed 58-35 by Assembly 3/23/21 Directs C&E to investigate administration of elections
AJR-16 Ramthun Companion to SJR-12 Public Hearing 4/20/21.  Exec 5/4/21 Constitutional convention to establish term limits for Congress
AJR-54 Steineke Companion to SJR-32 Introduced and referred to Committee on Constitution 5/13/21 Constitutional amendment to clarify that only citizens can vote
     

Contact Paul Malischke about bills to be added, broken links, if the status is not up to date, or with your comments.