Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: To Executive 2 R cosponsors

SB 270 — Relating to: the right of appeal for complainants aggrieved by decisions of the Elections Commission concerning the conduct of election officials.

Last action — Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed Assembly
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced May 20, 2025. It awaits signature.

Vetoed by Governor Tony Evers (Democratic) on December 05, 2025.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 18 sponsors

    1 primary, 17 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

An Act to amend 5.06 (8) of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

17 added · 51 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Bill SB 270 clarifies the process for individuals who wish to appeal decisions made by the Elections Commission regarding election officials. Specifically, it now allows anyone who feels harmed by these decisions to appeal, even if they cannot prove a specific legal injury. This change matters because it broadens the ability of complainants to challenge decisions, potentially leading to better accountability in the election process and ensuring that concerns are heard more openly.

→
Previous
Latest
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-2416/1 MPG:cjs SENATE BILL 270 May 20, 2025 - Introduced by Senators W ANGGAARD and N ASS, cosponsored by Representatives W ITTKE, NEYLON , LLEN , O'CONNOR , ENTERMAN , M URPHY, ARMSTRONG , DITTRICH , MOSES , PIWOWARCZYK , BRILL, W ICHGERS, K NODL, BEHNKE , KREIBICH and G OEBEN .
Date of enactment:
Referred to Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs.
Senate Bill 270 Date of publication*:
A N A CT to amend 5.06 (8) of the statutes;
WISCONSIN ACT A N A CT to amend 5.06 (8) of the statutes;
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau Under current law, any person eligible to vote in Wisconsin may file a complaint with the Elections Commission alleging that an election official serving the voter’s jurisdiction has failed to comply with certain election laws or has abused his or her discretion with respect to the administration of such election laws.
plainant resides no later than 30 days after issuance of The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in sen- ate and assembly, do enact as follows:
After investigation of a complaint, current law authorizes the commission to issue an order requiring an election official to conform his or her conduct to the law, restraining an election official from taking any action inconsistent with the law, or requiring an election official to correct any action or decision inconsistent with the law.
the order.
Additionally, current law authorizes any complainant who is aggrieved by an order of the commission on the complaint to appeal the commission’s decision in court.
Pendency of an appeal does not stay the effect SECTION 1.
The law does not specifically define the term “aggrieved” for purposes of this right of appeal.
5.06 (8) of the statutes is amended to of an order unless the court so orders.
However, in Brown v.
A complainant shall be considered aggrieved under this subsection re- read:
Wisconsin Elections Commission, 2025 WI 5, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that a complainant not receiving a favorable decision from the Elections Commission on a complaint is aggrieved, and therefore has a right to appeal that decision in court, only if the complainant has suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest as a result of the decision.
gardless of whether the complainant has suffered an in- 5.06 (8) Any election official or complainant who is jury to a legally recognized interest and may appeal any aggrieved by an order issued under sub.
- 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-2416/1 MPG:cjs SENATE BILL 270 SECTION 1 This bill provides that a complainant must be considered aggrieved for purposes of that right of appeal regardless of whether the complainant has suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest and that a complainant may appeal any commission order that dismisses the complaint or otherwise does not grant the relief requested in the complaint.
(6) may appeal order issued under sub.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
(6) that dismisses the complaint the decision of the commission to circuit court for the or otherwise does not grant the relief requested in the county where the official conducts business or the com- complaint.
S ECTION 1.
* Section 991.11, ISCONSINSTATUTES :
5.06 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:
Effective date of acts.
5.06 (8) Any election official or complainant who is aggrieved by an order issued under sub.
“Every act and every portion of an act enacted by the legislature over the gov- ernor's partial veto which does not expressly prescribe the time when it takes effect shall take effect on the day after its date of publication.”
(6) may appeal the decision of the commission to circuit court for the county where the official conducts business or the complainant resides no later than 30 days after issuance of the order.
Pendency of an appeal does not stay the effect of an order unless the court so orders.
A complainant shall be considered aggrieved under this subsection regardless of whether the complainant has suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest and may appeal any order issued under sub.
(6) that dismisses the complaint or otherwise does not grant the relief requested in the complaint.
(END )
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (2)

How this bill changes current law

1 change Share ↗

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

The bill expands the definition of 'aggrieved' complainants, allowing appeals regardless of injury to a legally recognized interest.

  • 5.06(8)

    A complainant shall be considered aggrieved under this subsection regardless of whether the complainant has suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest and may appeal any order issued under sub. (6) that dismisses the complaint or otherwise does not grant the relief requested in the complaint. → A complainant shall be considered aggrieved under this subsection regardless of whether the complainant has suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest and may appeal any order issued under sub. (6) that dismisses the complaint or otherwise does not grant the relief requested in the complaint.

    This change clarifies that any complainant may appeal the commission's decision even if they haven't suffered legal injury.

Action History

  1. Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82

  2. Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)

  3. Report vetoed by the Governor on 12-5-2025

  4. Presented to the Governor on 12-4-2025

  5. Report correctly enrolled

  6. Received from Assembly concurred in

  7. Ordered immediately messaged

  8. Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 54, Noes 43

  9. Rules suspended

  10. Ordered to a third reading

  11. Read a second time

  12. Rules suspended to withdraw from calendar and take up

  13. Placed on calendar 11-19-2025 by Committee on Rules

  14. Read first time and referred to committee on Rules

  15. Received from Senate

  16. Ordered immediately messaged

  17. Read a third time and passed

  18. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

  19. Ordered to a third reading

  20. Read a second time

  21. Placed on calendar 10-14-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  22. Available for scheduling

  23. Report passage recommended by Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2

  24. Executive action taken

  25. Public hearing held

  26. Senator Kapenga added as a coauthor

  27. Read first time and referred to Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs

  28. Introduced by Senators Wanggaard and Nass; cosponsored by Representatives Wittke, Neylon, Allen, O'Connor, Penterman, Murphy, Armstrong, Dittrich, Moses, Piwowarczyk, Brill, Wichgers, Knodl, Behnke, Kreibich and Goeben

Sponsors

  • Wittke · Cosponsor
  • Neylon · Cosponsor
  • Allen · Cosponsor
  • O'Connor · Cosponsor
  • Penterman · Cosponsor
  • Murphy · Cosponsor
  • Armstrong · Cosponsor
  • Dittrich · Cosponsor
  • Moses · Cosponsor
  • Piwowarczyk · Cosponsor
  • Brill · Cosponsor
  • Wichgers · Cosponsor
  • Knodl · Cosponsor
  • Behnke · Cosponsor
  • Kreibich · Cosponsor
  • Goeben · Cosponsor
  • Steve Nass · Cosponsor
  • Van Wanggaard · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 17 co-sponsors · 114 not signed on · 41 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (17)

  • Wittke
  • Neylon
  • Allen
  • O'Connor
  • Penterman
  • Murphy
  • Armstrong
  • Dittrich
  • Moses
  • Piwowarczyk
  • Brill
  • Wichgers
  • Knodl
  • Behnke
  • Kreibich
  • Goeben
  • Nass, Steve Republican

Not signed on (114)

114 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 114 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Read a third time and concurred in

Passed 54 Yea · 43 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 53000
Democrat 04102
Unaffiliated 1200
Total 544302
% of votes cast 55%43%0%2%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
JOHNSON — Nay
MOORE OMOKUNDE — Nay
SPEAKER — Yea
Anderson, Clinton Democrat Nay
Andraca, Deb Democrat Nay
Arney, Margaret Democrat Nay
Bare, Mike Democrat Nay
Billings, Jill Democrat Nay
Brown, Brienne Democrat Nay
Clancy, Ryan Democrat Nay
Cruz, Angelina Democrat Nay
DeSanto, Karen Democrat Nay
DeSmidt, Ben Democrat Nay
Doyle, Steve Democrat Nay
Emerson, Jodi Democrat Nay
Fitzgerald, Joan Democrat Nay
Goodwin, Russell Democrat Nay
Haywood, Kalan Democrat Nay
Hong, Francesca Democrat Nay
Hysell, Andrew Democrat Nay
Jacobson, Jenna Democrat Nay
Joers, Alex Democrat Nay
Kirsch, Karen Democrat Nay
Madison, Darrin Democrat Nay
Mayadev, Renuka Democrat Nay
McCarville, Maureen Democrat Nay
McGuire, Tip Democrat Nay
Miresse, Vincent Democrat Nay
Neubauer, Greta Democrat Nay
Ortiz-Velez, Sylvia Democrat Nay
Palmeri, Lori Democrat Nay
Phelps, Christian Democrat Nay
Prado, Priscilla Democrat Not Voting
Rivera-Wagner, Amaad Democrat Nay
Roe, Ann Democrat Nay
Sheehan, Joe Democrat Nay
Sinicki, Christine Democrat Nay
Snodgrass, Lee Democrat Nay
Spaude, Ryan Democrat Nay
Stroud, Angela Democrat Nay
Stubbs, Shelia Democrat Nay
Subeck, Lisa Democrat Nay
Taylor, Sequanna Democrat Not Voting
Tenorio, Angelito Democrat Nay
Udell, Randy Democrat Nay
Vining, Robyn Democrat Nay
Allen, Scott Republican Yea
Armstrong, David Republican Yea
August, Tyler Republican Yea
Behnke, Elijah Republican Yea
Born, Mark Republican Yea
Brill, Lindee Republican Yea
Brooks, Robert Republican Yea
Callahan, Calvin Republican Yea
Dallman, Alex Republican Yea
Dittrich, Barbara Republican Yea
Donovan, Bob Republican Yea
Duchow, Cindi Republican Yea
Franklin, Benjamin Republican Yea
Goeben, Joy Republican Yea
Green, Chanz Republican Yea
Gundrum, Rick Republican Yea
Gustafson, Nate Republican Yea
Hurd, Karen Republican Yea
Jacobson, Brent Republican Yea
Kaufert, Dean Republican Yea
Kitchens, Joel Republican Yea
Knodl, Daniel Republican Yea
Kreibich, Rob Republican Yea
Krug, Scott Republican Yea
Kurtz, Tony Republican Yea
Maxey, Dave Republican Yea
Melotik, Paul Republican Yea
Moses, Clint Republican Yea
Murphy, David Republican Yea
Mursau, Jeffrey Republican Yea
Nedweski, Amanda Republican Yea
Neylon, Adam Republican Yea
Novak, Todd Republican Yea
O'Connor, Jerry Republican Yea
Penterman, William Republican Yea
Petersen, Kevin Republican Yea
Piwowarczyk, Jim Republican Yea
Pronschinske, Treig Republican Yea
Rodriguez, Jessie Republican Yea
Snyder, Patrick Republican Yea
Sortwell, Shae Republican Yea
Spiros, John Republican Yea
Steffen, David Republican Yea
Summerfield, Rob Republican Yea
Swearingen, Rob Republican Yea
Tittl, Paul Republican Yea
Tranel, Travis Republican Yea
Tucker, Duke Republican Yea
Tusler, Ron Republican Yea
VanderMeer, Nancy Republican Yea
Wichgers, Chuck Republican Yea
Wittke, Robert Republican Yea
Zimmerman, Shannon Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

elections
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 270 do?
An Act to amend 5.06 (8) of the statutes;
Who sponsors SB 270?
SB 270 is sponsored by Wittke, Neylon, Allen, O'Connor, Penterman, Murphy, Armstrong, Dittrich, Moses, Piwowarczyk, Brill, Wichgers, Knodl, Behnke, Kreibich, Goeben, Nass, Steve (Republican), and Wanggaard, Van (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 270?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced May 20, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track SB 270?
Track SB 270 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 270

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 270

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →