An Act to renumber 9.01 (4) and 9.01 (7) (a); to renumber and amend 7.70 (5) (b); to amend 7.51 (5) (b), 7.53 (1) (a), 7.53 (2) (d), 7.60 (3), 7.60 (5) (a), 7.70 (1) (b), 7.70 (3) (a), 7.70 (3) (c), 7.70 (3) (i), 7.70 (5) (title), 7.70 (5) (a), 7.75 (1), 9.01 (1) (ar) 3., 9.01 (6) (a), 9.01 (6) (b), 9.01 (7) (b) and 9.01 (9) (a); to create 5.05 (19), 7.70 (3) (cm), 7.70 (5) (b) 2., 7.70 (5) (b) 3., 9.01 (1) (ar) 4., 9.01 (4) (b), 9.01 (6) (am), 9.01 (7) (a) 2., 9.01 (9) (am), 9.01 (9) (cm) and 9.01 (9m) of the statutes; Relating to: compliance with the federal Electoral Count Reform Act. (FE)
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Faster local counts for Wisconsin presidential elections
Beginning with the 2028 general election, municipal inspectors must count valid provisional ballots and update results by 4 p.m. Friday. They need not reconvene if the clerk certifies that none arrived after the initial count through that cutoff. Municipal clerks must deliver additional provisional-ballot records by 9 a.m. Saturday; county offices must open as needed to receive them. Municipalities with multiple polling places must begin their official review of results by 5 p.m. Friday. County boards must begin publicly examining returns by noon Saturday and may pause only as the Wisconsin Elections Commission permits.
Wisconsin sets presidential certification and voting deadlines
Beginning with the 2028 general election, the Wisconsin Elections Commission prepares the official certificate naming the state's presidential electors. The governor signs and seals it, adds a security feature, and keeps its secure parts confidential. The governor sends it to the U.S. archivist within 2 days of preparation, no later than 6 days before electors meet. A valid recount petition delays issuance until certification of the recount or 3 p.m. that sixth day, whichever comes first. An unfinished recount means the certificate uses the recorded certified results; qualifying recount results or court orders can require a replacement. The governor prepares six duplicate originals and delivers one to an elector by the fastest method the governor chooses. Electors meet at the State Capitol at noon on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December, replacing Monday.
Wisconsin tackles missing and late election results
Beginning with the 2028 general election, county clerks must send certified presidential results to the Wisconsin Elections Commission within 6 days. If statements are missing on day 7, the Commission must give written notice. It must immediately start enforcement if they remain missing one day after notice is delivered. County district attorneys must immediately seek court enforcement when district or ward returns are missing. Clerks must fix statements returned for correction within 3 days of receiving them. The Commission chair or designee must finish the state review and certifications within 16 days. If certified county results are still missing then, that official must use unofficial returns reviewed by all municipalities in the county.
Wisconsin protects records but limits recount appeals
Beginning with the 2028 general election, an aggrieved presidential candidate has 1 business day to appeal a recount determination to circuit court. The court must decide within 7 days; an aggrieved party then has 1 day to appeal directly to Wisconsin's Supreme Court. That direct appeal is the only judicial review of the circuit court order. Courts must promptly order affected officials to secure ballots, papers, and records throughout the recount and appeal. A recount certified after the sixth-day cutoff but by 3 p.m. two days before electors meet has a special review path. If it changes the presidential or vice-presidential winners on the certificate, an aggrieved candidate has 24 hours to seek Supreme Court review. The Supreme Court must act promptly and can require a replacement certificate by 9 a.m. on the electors' meeting day.
Wisconsin speeds recounts and expands candidate requests
Beginning with the 2028 general election, the Commission must securely order presidential recounts electronically the day it receives a valid petition and required payment. County boards must meet by 9 a.m. on the second day after receiving the order and send returns within 5 days. They may pause only with Commission permission; the Commission chair or designee checks returns without having to recount ballots personally. When an initial petition covers only part of Wisconsin, opposing candidates who appeared on the ballot can request recounts elsewhere. They must file by 5 p.m. the next day; boards reconvene at 9 a.m. the next business day to recount and review claims.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Published 4-9-2026
4/9/2026HouseReport approved by the Governor on 4-8-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 214
4/9/2026HousePresented to the Governor on 4-2-2026
4/2/2026HouseReport correctly enrolled on 3-25-2026
3/25/2026HouseLRB correction (Assembly Amendment 1)
3/25/2026HouseSenator Spreitzer added as a cosponsor
3/19/2026HouseReceived from Senate concurred in
3/18/2026HouseOrdered immediately messaged
3/17/2026SenateSenators Dassler-Alfheim and Smith added as cosponsors
3/17/2026SenateRead a third time and concurred in
3/17/2026SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
3/17/2026SenateOrdered to a third reading
3/17/2026SenateRead a second time
3/17/2026SenatePlaced on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
3/16/2026SenatePublic hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
3/16/2026SenateAvailable for scheduling
3/3/2026SenateReport concurrence recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development, Ayes 5, Noes 0
3/3/2026SenateExecutive action taken
2/27/2026SenateRead first time and referred to committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development
11/20/2025SenateReceived from Assembly
11/20/2025SenateOrdered immediately messaged
11/19/2025HouseRead a third time and passed
11/19/2025HouseRules suspended
11/19/2025HouseOrdered to a third reading
11/19/2025HouseAssembly Amendment 1 adopted
11/19/2025House
Bill Text
Assembly Amendment 1
11/19/2025
Bill Text
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