LRB-0098/1
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2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 582
October 31, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives HAYWOOD, SINICKI, RATCLIFF,
CONSIDINE, BARE, EMERSON, CONLEY, PALMERI, OHNSTAD, JOERS, J. ANDERSON,
STUBBS, DRAKE, SUBECK, CLANCY and JACOBSON, cosponsored by Senators
ROYS, TAYLOR, L. JOHNSON, SMITH, SPREITZER, HESSELBEIN, LARSON and AGARD.
Referred to Committee on Campaigns and Elections.
***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
AN ACT to amend 304.078 (3); and to create 301.03 (20n) of the statutes;
relating to: facilitating voter registration for those who have their voting
rights restored.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, the Department of Corrections or a jailer of a county jail or
house of correction is required to provide written notification to a person convicted
of a felony when the person's right to vote is restored. Under this bill, DOC or the
jailer must at the same time provide to the person all of the following:
1. A voter registration form and information concerning eligibility to vote.
2. Instructions for completing the voter registration form.
3. Unless the person declines in writing, assistance completing the voter
registration form.
4. A written explanation of how to register to vote in person, by mail, and by
electronic means.
5. Information concerning the current election cycle, including the dates of
upcoming elections and which offices are on the ballots.
Also, under current law, DOC is required to transmit to the Elections
Commission, on a continuous basis, a list containing the name of each living person
who has been convicted of a felony and whose civil rights have not been restored. This
bill requires that DOC additionally transmit to the Elections Commission, on a
continuous basis, a list containing the name of each living person who has been
convicted of a felony and whose civil rights have been restored, together with his or
her residential address.
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ASSEMBLY BILL 582
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be
printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. 301.03 (20n) of the statutes is created to read:
301.03 (20n) Transmit to the elections commission, on a continuous basis, a list
containing the name of each living person who has been convicted of a felony under
the laws of this state and whose civil rights have been restored, together with his or
her residential address.
SECTION 2. 304.078 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
304.078 (3) If a person is disqualified from voting under s. 6.03 (1) (b), his or
her right to vote is restored when he or she completes the term of imprisonment or
probation for the crime that led to the disqualification. The department or, if the
person is sentenced to a county jail or house of correction, the jailer shall inform the
person in writing at the time his or her right to vote is restored under this subsection;
shall provide to the person the voter registration form prescribed under s. 6.33 and
information concerning eligibility to vote, instructions for completing the form, and,
unless the person declines in writing, assistance completing the form; shall provide
to the person a written explanation of how to register to vote in person under s. 6.30
(1), by mail under s. 6.30 (4), and by electronic means under s. 6.30 (5); and shall
provide to the person information concerning the current election cycle, including the
dates of upcoming elections and which offices are on the ballots.
(END)
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