Election legislation roundup: Wisconsin State Assembly

As of Oct. 22, Ballotpedia has tracked 17 election-related bills in the Wisconsin State Assembly since the beginning of the year. Of the 17, Ballotpedia tracked two from Oct. 16-22. Republicans sponsored both of the bills. The two bills are below:   

• WI AB490: Wisconsin’s membership agreement with the Electronic Registration Information Center (FE), Reps. Scott Allen (R), Elijah Behnke (R), Amy Binsfeld (R), Ty Bodden (R), Janel Brandtjen (R), Robert Brooks (R), Joy Goeben (R), Rick Gundrum (R), Nate Gustafson (R), Tom Michalski (R), David Murphy (R), Jerry O’Connor (R), Nik Rettinger (R), Peter Schmidt (R), and Chuck Wichgers (R), and Sens. Mary Felzkowski (R), Stephen Nass (R), Romaine Quinn (R), Rob Stafsholt (R), Duey Stroebel (R), and Cory Tomczyk (R).
  • “As introduced, this bill terminates the state’s agreement with the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) and prohibits any state agency from becoming a member of the Electronic Registration Information Center.”

• WI AB494: Status as an indefinitely confined voter for purposes of automatically receiving absentee ballots and providing a penalty (FE), Reps. David Armstrong (R), Barbara Dittrich (R), Cindi Duchow (R), James Edming (R), Joy Goeben (R), Joel Kitchens (R), Gae Magnafici (R), Dave Maxey (R), David Murphy (R), Amanda Nedweski (R), Jerry O’Connor (R), and Nik Rettinger (R), and Sen. Dan Knodl (R).
  • “As introduced, this bill:
    • Establishes that if a voter from Wisconsin who moves out-of-state is ineligible to qualify to vote out-of-state, the voter may vote an absentee ballot in the ward of the voter’s prior residence in a presidential election occurring within 24 months of leaving the state.
    • Outlines administrative procedures for the clerk to verify the identity of the person making the request.
    • Specifies that the voter may submit a written application that does not require an original signature.
    • Extends the description of those who qualify to be placed on the permanent absentee voter list to those who cannot travel because of significant burden due to frailty or disability that is expected to last more than one year.
    • Tasks the commission with creating a separate application form for those who are indefinitely confined with prominent markings about the voter’s indefinitely confined status.”
    • Click the hyperlinked bill number above for more information.