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 8, 2023 Contact: Peggy Hurley, Senior Staff Attorney
2023 Assembly Bill 543 Assembly Amendments 1 and 2
2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 543
Under Assembly Bill 543, election officials are required to ensure that all persons who wish to observe
an election or a recount are afforded equitable access to the observation area. The bill additionally
changes the location where the observation area may be located from not less than three feet and not
more than eight feet to not more than three feet from the table where voters may register and from the
table where voters announce their names and addresses and are issued a voter number. Under the bill,
a person who violates either of these provisions may be imprisoned in the county jail for not more than
90 days, fined no more than $1,000, or both.
ASSEMBLY AMENDMENTS 1 AND 2
Assembly Amendment 1 states that all stages of a recount must be conducted in accordance with the
public observation statutes that apply to elections.
Assembly Amendment 2 states that the criminal penalties created in the bill apply only to violations
committed by election officials.
BILL HISTORY
Assembly Amendment 1 was introduced by Representative Tittl on October 24, 2023. Assembly
Amendment 2 was introduced by Representative Tittl on November 1, 2023.
On November 7, 2023, the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections voted to recommend
adoption of Assembly Amendment 1 on a vote of Ayes, 5; Noes, 3, to recommend adoption of Assembly
Amendment 2 on a vote of Ayes, 7; Noes, 1, and to recommend passage of the bill as amended on a vote
of Ayes, 5; Noes, 3.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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