Wisconsin Senate Bill SB220

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/25/25
• Refer: 4/25/25

Caption

Residency requirements for persons circulating nomination papers or recall petitions.

Impact

The proposed changes in SB220 are designed to ensure that only individuals with a vested interest in Wisconsin—the state's eligible voters—can influence its electoral processes by gathering signatures for candidates or recall efforts. This bill could potentially reduce the number of people who may participate in the electoral process as circulators, which could impact how effectively candidates can mobilize support and gather the required signatures for their nomination papers or recall petitions.

Summary

Senate Bill 220 seeks to amend existing statutes concerning who is eligible to circulate nomination papers and recall petitions in Wisconsin elections. Under the current law, any U.S. citizen aged 18 or older can serve as a circulator if they are eligible to vote in Wisconsin or would not be disqualified if they were a resident. However, SB220 introduces stricter residency requirements, stipulating that only individuals who are eligible voters in Wisconsin can circulate these materials, thereby limiting the pool of potential circulators.

Contention

Supporters of SB220 argue that the bill enhances the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring that only Wisconsin voters can gather signatures, thereby preventing potential abuse by individuals outside the state or not closely connected to the electoral districts. On the other hand, opponents may contend that this restriction could overly limit public participation and representation in the political process, particularly for individuals who wish to engage in local governance or challenge incumbent officials through recall efforts.