Wisconsin Senate Bill SB5

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/23
• Refer: 1/27/23
• Refer: 3/22/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission.

Impact

The repeal introduced by SB5 has significant implications for the handling of absentee ballots in Wisconsin. By eliminating the emergency rule, the bill restores previous regulations governing absentee voting and could lead to a more streamlined approach in terms of what constitutes valid voter information. This legislative change could impact how municipal clerks process absentee ballots, potentially reducing the guidelines set out for ensuring compliance with voter identification and certification procedures. As a result, there may be concerns about the integrity of the absentee voting process and what measures are in place to prevent issues of disqualification due to missing information.

Summary

Senate Bill 5 aims to repeal an emergency rule previously established by the Wisconsin Elections Commission regarding absentee ballots. This rule addressed what constitutes a complete address on absentee ballot certificate envelopes and mandated certain corrective actions by municipal clerks when faced with missing or inaccurate information. The bill was introduced on January 27, 2023, by the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules and has since been referred to the Committee on Administrative Rules for further consideration. The action against the emergency rule was prompted by concerns over the implications it had on absentee voting procedures.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding SB5 primarily stem from its potential consequences on voting procedures and electoral integrity. Supporters argue that repealing the emergency rule simplifies the voting process and reduces bureaucratic oversight, which they believe could encourage higher voter participation. Critics, on the other hand, express apprehension that removing the emergency provisions may lead to confusion among voters and clerks alike, compromising the accuracy of absentee ballot processing. They worry that without regulatory safeguards, the risk of disqualifying legitimate votes increases, thereby impacting the electoral process.