Voters seeking to claim indefinitely confined status would now have to apply for the designation rather than simply signing a statement under legislation the Senate approved.
The bill, which now heads to Gov. Tony Evers, was born out of GOP complaints over the number of people who claimed indefinitely confined status during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a Legislative Audit Bureau review of the 2020 election, 220,404 voters claimed that status for the November election that year. That includes 169,901 individuals who claimed that status for the first time in 2020.
It passed 22-11 Tuesday along party lines.
Under current law, voters must sign a statement that they are indefinitely confined due to age, physical illness, infirmity or disability. They then don’t have to show a photo ID and are automatically sent a ballot at each election.
The bill would set new standards, including that someone claiming the status must be unable to travel independently without significant burden due to frailty, physical illness or a disability that is expected to last longer than one year. The Elections Commission would have to create an application that voters seeking the status would be required to fill out, and most applicants would have to submit proof of ID.
The Senate approved two other election bills:
*AB 335, which would require the campaign committee of any candidate found guilty of certain felony charges to be dissolved. Any remaining funds would be returned to donors or donated to the state’s common school fund after outstanding debts are paid. A court would be required to appoint a new treasurer for the committee to carry out the dissolution order. It passed via voice vote.
*AB 396, which would set a cap of $250 to obtain the state’s voter registration list. Now, the Wisconsin Elections Commission sets the fee, and it’s $12,500. The bill would allow charges beyond the $250 for providing a physical copy of the list and to cover any costs for reproduction and postage. It passed 22-11.
