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: January 22, 2024 Contact: Katie Bender-Olson, Principal Attorney
2023 Senate Bill 286 Senate Amendment 1
CURRENT LAW
Current law generally requires candidates running for elected office to submit nomination signatures
within a specified numerical range. For example, candidates running for statewide office must file “not
less than 2,000 nor more than 4,000 signatures.” A candidate who fails to submit at least the minimum
number of valid signatures will not qualify for the ballot.
2023 SENATE BILL 286
2023 Senate Bill 286 imposes a requirement on the filing official who receives nomination papers that
applies when a candidate does not have enough valid signatures to meet the minimum number required
to qualify for the ballot after the filing official reviews signatures up to the statutory maximum. If a
candidate submits additional signatures above the statutory maximum and a review of that number of
signatures does not result in a sufficient number of valid signatures, then the filing official must review
the additional signatures to the extent necessary to determine whether the candidate has a sufficient
number of valid signatures.
SENATE AMENDMENT 1
Senate Amendment 1 provides that the filing official must not count supplemental signatures if the
official determines the number of supplemental signatures impeded the ability of the candidate’s
opponent to collect the required number of signatures for the office.
BILL HISTORY
Senate Amendment 1 was offered by Senator James on November 9, 2023. On January 11, 2024, the
Senate Committee on Shared Revenue, Elections, and Consumer Protection adopted the amendment
and passed the bill, as amended, on votes of Ayes, 3; Noes, 2.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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