AB 177 — Relating to: returning absentee ballots to the office of the municipal clerk.

Bill Text

• Bill Text View text Current pdf

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies absentee ballot return procedures, allowing drop boxes under specific conditions while renumbering and amending related sections.

• 6.87 (4) (b) 1.

  None → 6.87 (4) (b) 1. a. Except as otherwise provided in s. 6.875, an elector voting absentee, other than a military elector or an overseas elector, shall make and subscribe to the certification before one witness who is an adult U.S. citizen. A military elector or an overseas elector voting absentee, regardless of whether the elector qualifies as a resident of this state under s. 6.10, shall make and subscribe to the certification before one witness who is an adult but who need not be a U.S. citizen. The absent elector, in the presence of the witness, shall mark the ballot in a manner that will not disclose how the elector's vote is cast. The elector shall then, still in the presence of the witness, fold the ballots so each is separate and so that the elector conceals the markings thereon and deposit them in the proper envelope. If a consolidated ballot under s. 5.655 is used, the elector shall fold the ballot so that the elector conceals the markings thereon and deposit the ballot in the proper envelope. If proof of residence under s. 6.34 is required and the document enclosed by the elector under this subdivision does not constitute proof of residence under s. 6.34, the elector shall also enclose proof of residence under s. 6.34 in the envelope. Except as provided in s. 6.34 (2m), proof of residence is required if the elector is not a military elector or an overseas elector and the elector registered by mail or by electronic application and has not voted in an election in this state. If the elector requested a ballot by means of facsimile transmission or electronic mail under s. 6.86 (1) (ac), the elector shall enclose in the envelope a copy of the request which bears an original signature of the elector. The elector may receive assistance under sub. (5). The return envelope shall then be sealed. The witness may not be a candidate.

  This section now renumbers and redefines the requirements for absentee ballot certification in the presence of a witness.

• 6.87 (4) (b) 1.

  The return envelope shall be mailed by the elector, or delivered in person, to the permanent office of the municipal clerk issuing the ballot or ballots. → The return envelope shall be mailed by the elector, or delivered in person, to the permanent office of the municipal clerk issuing the ballot or ballots, except that an elector may deliver his or her ballot to a drop box authorized by the municipal clerk that is attached to that building where the office of the municipal clerk is permanently located. An elector may not deliver his or her absentee ballot to any other drop box.

  This change allows voters to return ballots via an authorized drop box specifically located at the municipal clerk's office.

• 6.87 (4) (b) 1.

  None → 6.87 (4) (b) 1. e. If the municipal clerk authorizes the use of a drop box for the delivery of return envelopes, the drop box shall be tamper-resistant and moisture-resistant, include a slot that is only large enough to allow for the insertion of a return envelope, satisfy the accessibility requirements under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, and be emptied once each day at 9 a.m. by the clerk or deputy clerk in public view. The clerk shall publish notice of the location of the drop box and the days on which it is available for receiving return envelopes.

  This new provision sets specific requirements for any authorized drop box for absentee ballot returns.

Action History

1. March 15, 2022

   Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

2. June 09, 2021

   Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Steffen

3. May 18, 2021

   Representative Armstrong added as a coauthor

4. March 23, 2021

   Read first time and referred to Committee on Campaigns and Elections

5. March 23, 2021

   Introduced by Representatives Steffen, Edming, Gundrum, Knodl, Krug, Murphy, Neylon, Skowronski, Spiros, VanderMeer and Wichgers; cosponsored by Senators Darling, Felzkowski, Nass, Petrowski, Stroebel, Wanggaard and Wimberger

Sponsors

• Chuck Wichgers · Primary
• Nancy VanderMeer · Primary
• John Spiros · Primary
• Skowronski · Primary
• Adam Neylon · Primary
• David Murphy · Primary
• Scott Krug · Primary
• Daniel Knodl · Primary
• Rick Gundrum · Primary
• Edming · Primary
• David Steffen · Primary

Subjects