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: February 15, 2024 Contact: Peggy Hurley, Senior Staff Attorney
Katie Bender-Olson, Principal Attorney
2023 Senate Bill 966
Senate Substitute
Amendment 1
2023 SENATE BILL 966
Current law requires a person who votes absentee to do so in the presence of a witness. Under current
law, a witness must certify that the ballot was completed according to law and provide his or her printed
name, address, and signature on a certification accompanying the ballot.
Senate Bill 966 establishes, for the purpose of accepting an absentee ballot, each element required in a
witness’s address certification and requires a separate line for each element on an absentee ballot
envelope. Under the bill, in order for a ballot to be accepted and tallied in an election, a witness’
certification must contain all of the following:
The witness’s printed first name.
The witness’s printed last name.
The witness’s house or apartment number.
The witness’s street name.
The witness’s municipality.
The witness’s state.
The witness’s zip code.
Under the bill, no one but the witness may correct a defect in the witness’s certification.
SENATE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1
Senate Substitute Amendment 1 retains the same provisions except that it does not require a witness to
provide his or her state or zip code.
BILL HISTORY
Senate Substitute Amendment 1 was offered by Senator Tomczyk on February 6, 2024. On February 15,
2024, the Senate Committee on Shared Revenue, Elections, and Consumer Protection adopted the
substitute amendment on a vote of Ayes, 5; Noes, 2. The committee then passed the bill, as amended on
a vote of Ayes, 3, Noes, 0.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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