Wis. Stat. § 7.15(1)(cm) requires a ballot be sent to each voter with an active absentee request on file 47 days prior to the Presidential Preference Primary. This scenario only occurs every four years, in a Presidential election year, when the Spring non-partisan election is paired with the Presidential Preference.
The 47th day prior to the Presidential Preference Primary is February 15, 2024, which is five days before the Spring Primary on February 20, 2024. The February primary results determine what candidates continue to the April ballot. Considering that the Spring Primary is not being held, much less certified, until well after the 47th day, this statutory deadline to get ballots out to voters becomes impossible.
To prevent voter confusion, the Commission voted 6-0 at its September 7, 2023, meeting to direct clerks to send ‘A’ ballots containing only the Presidential Preference contest to military, permanent overseas, and temporary overseas voters by February 15, 2024, to comply with state law and the federal MOVE Act. The Commission then directed clerks to send ‘B’ ballots containing all the contests to military and overseas voters (UOCAVA) as soon as complete ballots become available or by March 12, 2024, whichever is sooner.
Please see the attached memo for information about issuing and processing 'A' and 'B' ballots and for the voter explanation that will accompany each 'A' and 'B' ballot.