I, ...., do solemnly swear that I am a citizen of the United States; that prior to establishing Wisconsin residence, my legal residence was in the .... (town) (village) (city) of ...., state of ...., residing at .... (street address); that on the day of the next presidential election, I shall be at least 18 years of age and that I have been a legal resident of the state of Wisconsin since ...., .... (year), residing at .... (street address), in the [.... ward of the .... aldermanic district of] the (town) (village) (city) of ...., county of ....; that I have resided in the state less than 10 days, that I am qualified to vote for president and vice president at the election to be held November ...., .... (year), that I am not voting at any other place in this election and that I hereby make application for an official presidential ballot, in accordance with section 6.15 of the Wisconsin statutes.
Signed ....
P.O. Address ....
Subscribed and sworn to before me this .... day of ...., .... (year)
....(Name)
....(Title)
6.15(2)(b)
(b) The clerk shall provide with the application form a card which the elector shall fill in and return with the application to the municipal clerk. The card shall state that the elector intends to vote for president and vice president in Wisconsin and that his or her voting privileges should be canceled at his or her previous residence. The card shall be in substantially the following form:
.... (Full Name - print or type)
It is my intent to vote for president and vice president in Wisconsin, under section 6.15, Wisconsin Statutes.
( ) I am not registered to vote at my previous address.
( ) I am registered to vote at my previous address and I hereby authorize the cancellation of my previous voting privileges at that address:
.... (Street), .... (Town, village, city), .... (State) .... (Zip)
Signature ....
Present Address ....
6.15(2)(c)
(c) The municipal clerk upon receipt of the application form and voting privileges cancellation card shall immediately forward the card to the proper official of the applicant's prior residence.
6.15(2)(d)1r.1r. Upon proper completion of the application and cancellation card, the municipal clerk shall require the elector to provide proof of residence under
s. 6.34. If the elector cannot provide proof of residence, the elector may have his or her residence corroborated in a statement that is signed by another elector of the municipality and that contains the current street address of the corroborating elector. If the residence is corroborated by another elector, that elector shall then provide proof of residence under
s. 6.34. The elector shall then mark the ballot in the clerk's presence in a manner that will not disclose his or her vote. The elector shall then fold the ballot so as to conceal his or her vote. The clerk or elector shall then place the ballot in an envelope furnished by the clerk.
6.15(2)(d)2.
2. The clerk shall enclose the envelope containing the ballot in a carrier envelope, securely seal it, and endorse it with his or her name, title and the words, "This envelope contains the vote for president and vice president of a new resident and shall be opened only at the polls during polling hours on election day". The clerk shall keep the envelope in his or her office until the clerk delivers it to the inspectors, as provided in
sub. (4).
6.15(2)(d)3.
3. The clerk shall keep open to public inspection a list of all new residents who have voted under this section. The list shall give the name, address and application date of each elector.
6.15(3)
(3) Procedure at polling place. An eligible elector may appear at the polling place for the ward or election district where he or she resides and make application for a ballot under
sub. (2). Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an elector who casts a ballot under this subsection shall follow the same procedure required for casting a ballot at the municipal clerk's office under
sub. (2). The inspectors shall perform the duties of the municipal clerk, except that the inspectors shall return the cancellation card under
sub. (2) (b) to the municipal clerk and the clerk shall forward the card as provided in
sub. (2) (c) if required. Upon proper completion of the application and cancellation card and submittal of proof of residence under
s. 6.34 or providing corroboration of residence, the inspectors shall permit the elector to cast his or her ballot for president and vice president. The elector shall mark the ballot and, unless the ballot is utilized with an electronic voting system, the elector shall fold the ballot, and deposit the ballot into the ballot box or give it to the inspector. The inspector shall deposit it directly into the ballot box. Voting machines or ballots utilized with electronic voting systems may only be used by electors voting under this section if they permit voting for president and vice president only.
6.15(4)
(4) Delivery and deposit of ballots. 6.15(4)(a)(a) Clerks holding new resident ballots shall deliver them to the election inspectors in the proper ward or election district where the new residents reside or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under
s. 7.52, to the municipal board of absentee ballot canvassers when it convenes under
s. 7.52 (1), as provided by
s. 6.88 for absentee ballots.
6.15(4)(b)
(b) During polling hours, the inspectors shall open each carrier envelope, announce the elector's name, check the affidavit for proper execution, and check the voting qualifications for the ward, if any. In municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under
s. 7.52, the municipal board of absentee ballot canvassers shall perform this function at a meeting of the board of absentee ballot canvassers.
6.15(4)(c)
(c) The inspectors or board of absentee ballot canvassers shall open the inner envelope without examination of the ballot other than is necessary to see that the issuing clerk has endorsed it.
6.15(4)(d)
(d) Upon satisfactory completion of the procedure under
pars. (b) and
(c) the inspectors or board of absentee ballot canvassers shall deposit the ballot in the ballot box. The inspectors or board of absentee ballot canvassers shall enter the name of each elector voting under this section on the poll list with an indication that the elector is voting under this section or on a separate list maintained for the purpose under
s. 6.79 (2) (c).
6.15(4)(e)
(e) If the person is not a qualified elector in the ward or municipality, or if the envelope is open or has been opened and resealed, the inspectors shall reject the vote. Rejected ballots shall be processed the same as rejected absentee ballots, under
s. 6.88 (3) (b).
6.15(5)
(5) Challenge of vote. Any new resident's vote may be challenged for cause in the manner provided in
ss. 6.92 to
6.95.
6.15(6)
(6) Death of elector. When it appears by due proof to the inspectors or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under
s. 7.52, when it appears by due proof to the board of absentee ballot canvassers that a person voting at an election has died before the date of the election, the inspectors or board of absentee ballot canvassers shall return the ballot with defective ballots to the issuing official.
6.18
6.18
Former residents. If ineligible to qualify as an elector in the state to which the elector has moved, any former qualified Wisconsin elector may vote an absentee ballot in the ward of the elector's prior residence in any presidential election occurring within 24 months after leaving Wisconsin by requesting an application form and returning it, properly executed, to the municipal clerk of the elector's prior Wisconsin residence. When requesting an application form for an absentee ballot, the applicant shall specify the applicant's eligibility for only the presidential ballot. The application form shall require the following information and be in substantially the following form:
This form shall be returned to the municipal clerk's office. Application must be received in sufficient time for ballots to be mailed and returned prior to any presidential election at which applicant wishes to vote. Complete all statements in full.
APPLICATION FOR PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTOR'S ABSENTEE BALLOT.
(To be voted at the Presidential Election
on November ...., .... (year)
I, .... hereby swear or affirm that I am a citizen of the United States, formerly residing at .... in the .... ward .... aldermanic district (city, town, village) of ...., County of .... for 10 days prior to leaving the State of Wisconsin. I, .... do solemnly swear or affirm that I do not qualify to register or vote under the laws of the State of ....(State you now reside in) where I am presently residing. A citizen must be a resident of: State ....(Insert time) County ....(Insert time) City, Town or Village ....(Insert time), in order to be eligible to register or vote therein. I further swear or affirm that my legal residence was established in the State of ....(the State where you now reside) on .... Month .... Day .... Year.
Signed ....
Address ....(Present address)
....(City) ....(State)
Subscribed and sworn to before me this .... day of .... .... (year)
....(Notary Public, or other officer authorized to administer oaths.)
....(County)
My Commission expires
MAIL BALLOT TO:
NAME ....
ADDRESS ....
CITY .... STATE .... ZIP CODE ....
Penalties for Violations. Whoever swears falsely to any absent elector affidavit under this section may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both. Whoever intentionally votes more than once in an election may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 3 years and 6 months or both.
....(Municipal Clerk)
....(Municipality)
6.20
6.20
Absent electors. Any qualified elector of this state who registers may vote by absentee ballot under
ss. 6.84 to
6.89.
6.20 History
History: 1985 a. 304;
2003 a. 265.
6.21
6.21
Deceased electors. When by due proof it appears to the inspectors or, in municipalities where absentee ballots are canvassed under
s. 7.52, when by due proof it appears to the board of absentee ballot canvassers that a person casting an absentee ballot at an election has died before the date of the election, the inspectors or board of absentee ballot canvassers shall return the ballot with defective ballots to the issuing official. The casting of the ballot of a deceased elector does not invalidate the election.
6.21 History
History: 1985 a. 304;
2005 a. 451.
6.22
6.22
Absentee voting for military electors. 6.22(1)
(1)
Definitions. In this section, except as otherwise provided:
6.22(1)(a)
(a) "Member of the merchant marine" means an individual, other than a member of a uniformed service or an individual employed, enrolled or maintained on the Great Lakes or the inland waterways, who is any of the following:
6.22(1)(a)1.
1. Employed as an officer or crew member of a vessel documented under the laws of the United States, or a vessel owned by the United States, or a vessel of foreign-flag registry under charter to or control of the United States.
6.22(1)(a)2.
2. Enrolled with the United States for employment or training for employment, or maintained by the United States for emergency relief service, as an officer or crew member of any such vessel.
6.22(1)(b)
(b) "Military elector" means any of the following:
6.22(1)(b)2.
2. Members of the merchant marine of the United States.
6.22(1)(b)3.
3. Civilian employees of the United States and civilians officially attached to a uniformed service who are serving outside the United States.
6.22(1)(b)5.
5. Spouses and dependents of those listed in the above categories residing with or accompanying them.
6.22(1)(c)
(c) "Uniformed service" means the U.S. army, navy, air force, marine corps or coast guard, the commissioned corps of the federal public health service or the commissioned corps of the national oceanic and atmospheric administration.
6.22(2)
(2) Application and voting procedure. 6.22(2)(a)(a) A military elector shall vote in the ward or election district for the address of his or her residence prior to becoming a military elector, except that:
6.22(2)(a)1.
1. A military elector voting in this state who is the spouse of another military elector and who did not maintain a residence in this state prior to becoming a military elector shall vote in the ward or election district for the address of his or her spouse.
6.22(2)(a)2.
2. A military elector voting in this state who is the dependent of another military elector and who did not maintain a residence in this state prior to becoming a military elector shall vote in the ward or election district for the address of the individual providing his or her support.
6.22(2)(a)3.
3. A military elector who is the spouse of another military elector and whose most recent residence in this state was different than the residence of his or her spouse prior to becoming a military elector may vote in the ward or election district for the address of his or her former residence or the ward or election district for the address of his or her spouse.
6.22(2)(a)4.
4. A military elector who is the dependent of another military elector and whose most recent residence in this state was different than the residence of the individual providing his or her support prior to becoming a military elector may vote in the ward or election district for the address of his or her former residence or the ward or election district for the address of the individual providing his or her support.
6.22(2)(b)
(b) A military elector shall make and subscribe to the certification under
s. 6.87 (2) before a witness who is an adult U.S. citizen.
6.22(2)(c)
(c) A federal postcard registration and absentee ballot request form may be used to apply for an absentee ballot under this section if the form is completed in such a manner that the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners with whom it is filed is able to determine all of the following:
6.22(2)(c)1.
1. That the applicant is qualified to vote in the ward or election district where he or she seeks to vote under
par. (a).
6.22(2)(c)2.
2. That the applicant qualifies to receive an absentee ballot under this section.
6.22(2)(d)
(d) If an applicant uses a federal form under
par. (c) to request an absentee ballot for all elections, the application shall so state.
6.22(3)
(3) Registration exempt. Military electors are not required to register as a prerequisite to voting in any election.
6.22(4)
(4) Instructions and handling. 6.22(4)(a)(a) A request for an absentee ballot by an individual who qualifies as a military elector shall be treated as a request for an absentee ballot for all elections. Upon receiving a timely request for an absentee ballot under
par. (b) by an individual who qualifies as a military elector, the municipal clerk shall send or transmit to the elector an absentee ballot for all elections that occur in the municipality or portion thereof where the elector resides beginning on the date that the clerk receives the request.
6.22(4)(b)
(b) A military elector's application may be received at any time. The municipal clerk shall not send a ballot for an election if the application is received later than 5 p.m. on the Friday preceding that election. The municipal clerk shall send a ballot, as soon as available, to each military elector who requests a ballot.
6.22(4)(c)
(c) A military elector may indicate an alternate address on his or her absentee ballot application. If the elector's ballot is returned as undeliverable prior to the deadline for return of absentee ballots under
s. 6.87 (6), and the elector remains eligible to receive absentee ballots under this section, the municipal clerk shall immediately send or transmit an absentee ballot to the elector at the alternate address.
6.22(4)(d)
(d) The board shall prescribe the instructions for marking and returning ballots and the municipal clerk shall enclose instructions with each ballot and shall also enclose supplemental instructions for local elections. The envelope, return envelope and instructions may not contain the name of any candidate appearing on the enclosed ballots other than that of the municipal clerk affixed in the fulfillment of his or her duties.
6.22(4)(e)
(e) Whenever the material is mailed, the material shall be prepared and mailed to make use of the federal free postage laws. If the material does not qualify for mailing without postage under federal free postage laws, the municipal clerk shall pay the postage required for mailing to the military elector. If the return envelope qualifies for mailing free of postage under federal free postage laws, the clerk shall affix the appropriate legend required by U.S. postal regulations. Otherwise the municipal clerk shall pay the postage required for return when the ballot is mailed from within the United States. If the ballot is not mailed by the military elector from within the United States the military elector shall provide return postage. The mailing list established under this subsection shall be kept current in the same manner as provided in
s. 6.86 (2) (b).
6.22(4)(f)
(f) If there occur 2 successive general elections at which a military elector fails to return an absentee ballot sent or transmitted to the elector under
par. (a) and the elector has not cast an absentee ballot at any intervening election, if the municipal clerk is reliably informed that the elector is no longer a military elector or no longer resides in the municipality, or if the elector so requests, the clerk shall discontinue sending or transmitting absentee ballots to the elector under this subsection. If a military elector who has requested an absentee ballot changes his or her residence from the municipality where a request is filed to another municipality in this state, the municipal clerk of the municipality who received the request shall notify the clerk of the municipality to which the elector's residence is changed of the date of the request or the latest renewal under
par. (g) and the date of the most recent absentee ballot received by the clerk. The municipal clerk who is so notified shall treat the request as having been made to him or her.
6.22(4)(g)
(g) Prior to any discontinuance of the service provided to a military elector under this subsection solely for failure to return absentee ballots, the municipal clerk shall mail the elector a 1st class letter or postcard notifying the elector that an absentee ballot will no longer be sent to the elector unless the elector renews his or her request within 30 days of the date of the notification.
6.22(4)(h)
(h) The municipal clerk shall notify a military elector of any action under
par. (f) that is not taken at the elector's request within 5 days of taking that action, if possible.
6.22(5)
(5) Voting procedure. Except as provided in
s. 6.221 and as authorized in
s. 6.25, the ballot shall be marked and returned, deposited and recorded in the same manner as other absentee ballots. In addition, the certification under
s. 6.87 (2) shall have a statement of the elector's birth date. Failure to return any unused ballots in a primary election does not invalidate the ballot on which the elector casts his or her votes.
