WisconsinAB3742025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)House

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: Elijah Behnke (Republican), Barbara Dittrich (Republican), Chanz Green (Republican), Rob Kreibich (Republican), Scott Krug (Republican), Dave Maxey (Republican), Clint Moses (Republican), David Murphy (Republican), Jeffrey Mursau (Republican), Ann Roe (Democratic), Lee Snodgrass (Democratic)

Became Law

ElectionsElections -- Contested electionsElections -- OfficialsElections CommissionGovernorMunicipality -- OfficersPresidential electorsUnited States -- President

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Clear rules for electors and certificates

The Elections Commission prepares the certificate naming Wisconsin’s presidential electors. The governor must sign, seal, and send it to the U.S. archivist by the 6th day before electors meet, include at least one security feature, and make six duplicate originals. Electors meet at the state capitol at noon on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December; vacancies are filled by a plurality of electors present. If a valid recount is filed, the governor may delay the certificate only until the recount is certified or 3 p.m. on the 6th day before the meeting. Court orders can require a superseding certificate by set times, and any superseding certificate replaces earlier ones.

Faster canvass and deadlines for presidential votes

Clerks must deliver ballots and papers by 4 p.m. the next day (or the second day for some absentee counts). In a presidential race, provisional ballots must reach the county by 9 a.m. Saturday, and county canvassers must open returns by noon that Saturday. County clerks must send certified results to the state within 6 days; on day 7 the state sends a violation notice and goes to court if needed the next day. The state canvass must finish within 16 days. If a county fails to certify by then, the state uses municipal returns to complete the canvass.

Faster presidential recounts across Wisconsin

For presidential races, the state must order recounts the same day a valid petition and payment arrive, using secure electronic notice. Counties must meet by 9 a.m. on the second day, may not pause until done (unless allowed), and must send returns within 5 days. In other contests, counties must meet by the third day and finish within 13 days. If a presidential recount petition covers only some areas, an opposing candidate has until 5 p.m. the next day to request recounts in the rest, and boards reconvene at 9 a.m. the next business day.

Speedy court review of presidential recounts

An aggrieved presidential candidate must appeal to circuit court within one business day. The chief justice names a judge before Election Day to hear these cases. The court must secure all ballots and records right away and decide the case within 7 days. Any party may appeal directly to the Wisconsin Supreme Court within one day, and that path is the only way to review circuit decisions.

Changes start with 2028 election

All of these new presidential election timelines and procedures apply starting with the 2028 general election. Officials and campaigns must follow these rules beginning in 2028.

Public calendar of presidential election deadlines

The Wisconsin Elections Commission must post a table of every date and deadline for a presidential election. The table includes recount and court appeal deadlines. This gives voters, candidates, and officials one place to see the whole schedule.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Elijah Behnke

    Republican • House

  • Barbara Dittrich

    Republican • House

  • Chanz Green

    Republican • House

  • Rob Kreibich

    Republican • House

  • Scott Krug

    Republican • House

  • Dave Maxey

    Republican • House

  • Clint Moses

    Republican • House

  • David Murphy

    Republican • House

  • Jeffrey Mursau

    Republican • House

  • Ann Roe

    Democratic • House

  • Lee Snodgrass

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Dan Feyen

    Republican • Senate

  • Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

    Democratic • House

  • Romaine Quinn

    Republican • Senate

  • Mark Spreitzer

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Published 4-9-2026

    4/9/2026House
  2. Report approved by the Governor on 4-8-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 214

    4/9/2026House
  3. Presented to the Governor on 4-2-2026

    4/2/2026House
  4. Report correctly enrolled on 3-25-2026

    3/25/2026House
  5. LRB correction (Assembly Amendment 1)

    3/25/2026House
  6. Senator Spreitzer added as a cosponsor

    3/19/2026House
  7. Received from Senate concurred in

    3/18/2026House
  8. Ordered immediately messaged

    3/17/2026Senate
  9. Senators Dassler-Alfheim and Smith added as cosponsors

    3/17/2026Senate
  10. Read a third time and concurred in

    3/17/2026Senate
  11. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

    3/17/2026Senate
  12. Ordered to a third reading

    3/17/2026Senate
  13. Read a second time

    3/17/2026Senate
  14. Placed on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

    3/16/2026Senate
  15. Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2

    3/16/2026Senate
  16. Available for scheduling

    3/3/2026Senate
  17. Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development, Ayes 5, Noes 0

    3/3/2026Senate
  18. Executive action taken

    2/27/2026Senate
  19. Read first time and referred to committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development

    11/20/2025Senate
  20. Received from Assembly

    11/20/2025Senate
  21. Ordered immediately messaged

    11/19/2025House
  22. Read a third time and passed

    11/19/2025House
  23. Rules suspended

    11/19/2025House
  24. Ordered to a third reading

    11/19/2025House
  25. Assembly Amendment 1 adopted

    11/19/2025House

Bill Text

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