MADISON – Yesterday, Governor Tony Evers signed into law two bipartisan bills authored by Sen. Mark Spreitzer to improve election administration in Wisconsin. Senator Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) released the following statement after Governor Evers signed 2023 Assembly Bill 335 (now 2023 Act 52) and 2023 Senate Bill 433 (now 2023 Act 54) into law:
“I am thrilled that Governor Evers has signed these important electoral system improvements into law. We should always be looking for ways that we can improve elections in our state, and good bipartisan bills like these are a critical part of that effort.
“2023 Act 52 ensures that those who commit violations of Wisconsin campaign finance law are not able to control campaign committee funds after they are convicted. Prior to the enactment of Act 52, people convicted of a felony for campaign finance violations – such as embezzling campaign funds for personal benefit – were still able to direct the use of funds in their campaign account without restriction, even after they lost their ability to run for public office in Wisconsin. Under this law, those who have violated campaign finance law will not be allowed to maintain control of their campaign funds. Instead, Act 52 ensures that all outstanding debts are paid and remaining funds are returned to donors or donated to the Common School Fund. I thank Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milwaukee), Representative Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers), Senator Dan Knodl (R-Germantown), and Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) for their bipartisan work on this proposal.
“2023 Act 54 removes confusing statutory language related to the timeline for sending absentee ballots during presidential preference primaries. In late 2019, Rock County Clerk Lisa Tollefson brought to my attention confusing requirements in state law that could cause some voters to receive two different ballots for the same election during presidential preference primaries. This session, I was pleased to bring forward a new version of a bill to eliminate that confusion with Senator Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville), Representative Ty Bodden (R-Hilbert), Representative Tom Michalski (R-Elm Grove), and Representative Clinton Anderson (D-Beloit). Act 54 removes confusion from our electoral systems and streamlines the process for sending absentee ballots, which will help our hardworking local clerks and provide a better experience for voters.
“I am proud that both of these bipartisan bills became law yesterday with the signature of Governor Evers. It is important that we continue to diligently work to improve elections in our state, and I am glad these reforms will be in place for the upcoming spring elections in Wisconsin.”
