Legislative Changes & Court Decisions

Decision in Hawkins Matter by Wisconsin Supreme Court – Clerks May Now Send Ballots

Monday, September 14, 2020

This afternoon the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a decision in the Hawkins (Green Party) matter. The Court denied the petition for ballot access to candidates Howie Hawkins and Angela Walker representing the Green Party for the November 3, 2020 Presidential Election. The Court further vacated the...

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Poll Worker Information Sheet: Recent Court Decision

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Due to the recent ruling by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in the One Wisconsin Institute case, several changes to election law are now in place. Several of these changes impact election day procedures for voter registration and photo ID. We have created an information sheet that should be...

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7th Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling in One Wisconsin Institute Case Now in Effect

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

A mandate was issued today by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in the One Wisconsin Institute case meaning that this ruling is now in effect. Please review the summary of changes below to determine how this decision impacts voting laws and procedures and how you will need to update any training and...

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UPDATED at 4:45 PM on July 2, 2020: 7th Circuit Court Ruling in One Wisconsin Institute Case NOT YET IN EFFECT

Thursday, July 2, 2020

On June 30, 2020 WEC sent a clerk communication and RAVE alert to clerks regarding the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling. We have since received updated legal advice that this order is not yet in effect. The Wisconsin Department of Justice has updated their guidance and advised us that the Court...

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UPDATED: 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling in One Wisconsin Institute Case

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Please see the updated Clerk Communication memo regarding the implementation of this court ruling. On June 29, 2020 the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling in the One Wisconsin Institute case that had been on appeal since 2016. WEC staff are in contact with the Wisconsin Department of...

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URGENT -- Wisconsin Supreme Court Orders Election Day to Continue and U.S. Supreme Court Alters Ballot Receipt Deadline; Tallying and Reporting Results Still Prohibited Until April 13 - COVID-19

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

This memorandum summarizes three court decisions which were issued today related to Election Day. First, the Wisconsin Supreme Court enjoined the Governor’s Executive Order which had postponed the election, meaning that in-person voting will occur at the polls. County and municipal clerks and...

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Updates to Federal Court Order Affecting Spring Election – Witness Signature Required; No Release of Results Until April 13th at 4:00 p.m. - COVID-19

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Today there were two important modifications to the Court Order issued yesterday by Judge Conley of the Western District of Wisconsin related to the Spring Election and Presidential Preference Primary: The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay regarding the portion of the Order permitting...

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Webinar for County and Municipal Clerks: Federal Court Decision Updates - COVID-19

Friday, April 3, 2020

Friday, April 3, 2020: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration Link: : https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1527417770049900044 This webinar will provide clerks with an update about yesterday’s federal court order relating to absentee ballots for next week’s Spring Election and Presidential...

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Federal Court Order Affects Spring Election – Absentee Ballot Request and Receipt Deadlines Extended COVID-19

Thursday, April 2, 2020

UPDATE: On the evening of April 3 the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order removing the option for an absentee voter to submit a statement indicating they were unable to obtain a witness signature, in lieu of including a witness signature on the certificate envelope. Therefore, effective...

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URGENT – Federal Court Decision Orders Continuation of Online Registration Through March 30, 2020 - COVID-19

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Pursuant to a federal court order issued last night, the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) is working to reactivate the online voter registration functionality of MyVote Wisconsin through March 30, 2020. On Wednesday, March 19, a lawsuit was filed by the Democratic National Committee and the...

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