Wisconsin Legislative Council
AMENDMENT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Memo published: November 6, 2023 Contact: Peggy Hurley, Senior Staff Attorney
2023 Assembly Bill 298 Assembly Amendment 1
2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 298
2023 Assembly Bill 298 prohibits a municipality from closing more than one-half of its polling places
within 30 days before an election. Additionally, the bill requires the head of the governing body and the
municipal clerk to approve the closing of any polling place within 30 days before an election and to post
and publish notification of the closing to the public.
Additionally, under the bill, if after an election and more than 30 days before the next election, a
municipality wishes to discontinue a polling place location, the municipality’s governing body may
approve the discontinuation only after a public hearing at which the public has an opportunity to
present testimony on the proposed discontinuation.
ASSEMBLY AMENDMENT 1
Assembly Amendment 1 requires the decision to close a polling place, in a first class city, to be agreed
upon by the municipal clerk and by a majority of the governing body. The amendment also clarifies that
an election official may adjourn operations in a polling place to another location if necessary to preserve
the public health or safety.
BILL HISTORY
Assembly Amendment 1 was introduced by Representative Sortwell on June 19, 2023. On June 20,
2023, the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections voted to recommend adoption of the
amendment by a vote of Ayes 8; Noes 1, and to recommend passage of the bill as amended by a vote of
Ayes 7; Noes 2.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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