2015-2016 Election Administration Webinar Training Series
Provisional Voting & Counting Write-In Votes
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Program Presenters
Wisconsin Government Accountability Board Staff
Agenda
Provisional Voting Overview
Video Tutorial
Documentation
Counting Write-In Votes in Multiple-Seat Offices
Provisional Voting Overview
In Wisconsin, provisional voting is ONLY used in three situations:
1. If a first-time voter who registered by mail before April 4, 2014 failed to
provide proof of residence (when required) and appears to vote at a polling
place and still cannot provide proof of residence, he or she may vote
provisionally.
The poll list will contain the notation “POR Required” to identify these
voters.
If this individual voted absentee, the returned absentee ballot will be
treated as provisional if no proof of residence has been provided. Please
note the proof of residence may be inside the Absentee Certificate
Envelope (GAB-122).
2. If an individual who attempts to register to vote at the polling place on
Election Day has been issued a current and valid Wisconsin driver license or
Wisconsin state identification card, but is unwilling or unable to provide the
license or state identification card number, and the lack of that number is the
only missing item of information, the individual may vote provisionally.
A license or state identification card that has expired, or a license that
has been suspended or revoked, is not “current and valid”, and therefore
the number would not be required.
Wisconsin DOT/DMV maintains a Help Desk for individuals to call if
they need to look up their driver license or state identification card
number. The phone number is: (608) 266-2353.
Individuals who have a current and valid Wisconsin driver license or
Wisconsin state identification card may NOT use the last four digits of
their Social Security number to register.
3. If an individual fails to provide an acceptable form of proof of identification,
he or she may vote provisionally.
If the election inspectors do not believe that the name of the elector
conforms to the name shown on the proof of identification, or if the
-1-
elector does not reasonably resemble the photograph on the proof of
identification, the elector’s ballot should be challenged (see the
Challenging Electors section).
There is NO other situation in which provisional voting should be used.
Provisional ballots are NOT given when a voter is at the wrong polling place. If a
voter appears at the wrong polling place, he or she will be directed to the proper
location. Provisional ballots are also NOT given when a person is attempting to
register in-person at the polling place and cannot provide the required proof of
residence.
-2-
PR
OV
ISIO
NA
L B
AL
LO
T C
ER
TIF
ICA
TE
B
all
ot
un
de
r W
is.
Sta
t. §
6.9
7
Vo
ter:
Co
mp
lete
th
e i
nfo
rma
tio
n b
elo
w a
nd
sig
n t
he c
erti
fica
tio
n i
n t
he p
rese
nce
of
an
ele
cti
on
in
sp
ecto
r w
ho
mu
st
als
o s
ign
. O
ffic
ial
Use
On
ly:
Da
te o
f E
lect
ion
(m
on
th/
da
y/
year)
C
ou
nty
P
V #
M
un
icip
ali
ty (
check
ty
pe a
nd
lis
t n
am
e)
To
wn
V
illa
ge
C
ity
o
f W
ard
#
Vo
ter
mu
st
sup
ply
th
e
foll
ow
ing
in
form
ati
on
to
th
e
mu
nic
ipa
l cl
erk
n
o
late
r th
an
4
:00
p
.m.
on
th
e
Fri
da
y
foll
ow
ing
th
e e
lect
ion
in
ord
er
for
this
ba
llo
t to
be c
ou
nte
d:
W
I D
riv
er
Lic
en
se n
um
ber
P
roo
f o
f R
esi
den
ce
(1st-t
ime W
I v
ote
rs w
ho
r
eg
iste
red
befo
re A
pri
l 4
, 20
14
an
d h
av
e n
ot
p
rov
ided
PO
R –
“P
OR
Req
uir
ed
” n
ota
tio
n o
n p
oll
l
ist)
P
ho
to I
.D.
Na
me (
La
st,
Fir
st,
Mid
dle
) in
clu
din
g s
uff
ix
Str
eet
Ad
dre
ss –
in
clud
e st
reet
nu
mb
er o
r fi
re n
um
ber
and
nam
e of
stre
et,
or
rura
l ro
ute
and
box n
um
ber
Cit
y,
Sta
te, Z
ip
Ph
on
e #
, in
clu
din
g a
rea c
od
e
Da
te o
f B
irth
(m
on
th/
da
y/
year)
A
re y
ou
a c
itiz
en
of
the U
nit
ed
Sta
tes?
Yes
N
o
CE
RT
IFIC
AT
ION
OF
VO
TE
R
I ce
rtif
y,
sub
ject
to
th
e p
en
alt
ies
of
Wis
. S
tat.
§ 1
2.1
3(3
)(g
), t
ha
t I
am
a q
ua
lifi
ed
ele
cto
r o
f th
e w
ard
an
d m
un
icip
ali
ty i
n t
he c
ou
nty
of
the s
tate
of
Wis
con
sin
in
dic
ate
d a
bo
ve. I
am
eli
gib
le t
o v
ote
in
th
is w
ard
a
t th
e e
lect
ion
to
da
y.
I u
nd
ers
tan
d t
ha
t if
I f
ail
to
su
bm
it t
he r
eq
uir
ed
in
form
ati
on
lis
ted
ab
ov
e t
o m
y m
un
icip
al
clerk
no
la
ter
tha
n 4
:00
p.m
. o
n t
he F
rid
ay
fo
llo
win
g t
he e
lect
ion
, m
y b
all
ot
ma
y n
ot
be
cou
nte
d.
____
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__
____
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
S
ign
atu
re o
f V
ote
r
D
ate
S
ign
atu
re o
f E
lect
ion
In
spect
or
Da
te
GA
B-1
23 |
Rev
201
5-04
| G
over
nmen
t Acc
ount
abilit
y B
oard
, P.O
. Box
798
4, M
adis
on, W
I 53
707-
7984
| 60
8-26
1-20
28 |
web
: gab
.wi.g
ov |
mai
l: ga
b@w
i.gov
-3-
Pro
vis
ion
al
Ball
ot
Rep
ort
ing
Fo
rm
Nam
e a
nd
Ad
dre
ss o
f E
lecto
rP
V#
Ab
sen
tee
or
In-
Pers
on
Ele
cto
r
Reaso
n
Co
de
Typ
e o
f P
rovis
ion
al
Do
cu
men
tati
on
Pro
vid
ed
Meth
od
of
Pro
vid
ing
Mis
sin
g
Info
rmati
on
(In
-
pe
rso
n,
Ph
on
e,
, etc
.)
Date
an
d T
ime
Ele
cto
r P
rovid
ed
Mis
sin
g
Info
rmati
on
Cle
rk o
r E
lecti
on
Ins
pecto
r N
am
e
Vo
ter
Nu
mb
er
Issu
ed
(if
Ele
cti
on
Day,
ple
ase ju
st
no
te
"W
ith
dra
wn
: # o
n P
oll
Lis
t.")
The
info
rmat
ion
on th
is fo
rm w
as c
omm
unic
ated
to th
e m
unic
ipal
cle
rk b
y :
Dat
eIn
itial
s of
per
son
resp
onsi
ble
for c
omm
unic
atio
n: _
____
___
Dat
e: _
____
____
____
__
Tele
phon
e __
____
In
per
son
____
___
Fa
x __
____
_
Em
ail
____
___
Tim
e: _
____
____
____
a.
m.
p.m
.
Chi
ef
Insp
ecto
r In
itial
s:Ti
me
a.m
.
p.
m.
The
info
rmat
ion
on th
is fo
rm w
as c
omm
unic
ated
to
the
rele
vant
can
vass
boa
rds
by:
Tele
phon
e __
___
In
per
son
____
____
F
ax _
____
_
Em
ail
____
____
Pri
mary
or
Ele
cti
on
Date
: /
/
Co
un
ty:
Rep
ort
ing
Un
it:
Mu
nic
ipa
lity
:
Po
llin
g P
lace L
oc
ati
on
:
Reaso
n C
od
es f
or
Issu
ing
Pro
vis
ion
al
Ball
ot:
A. "
PO
R R
equi
red"
list
ed o
n P
oll L
ist a
nd p
roof
of r
esid
ence
cou
ld n
ot b
e pr
ovid
ed
B. U
nabl
e or
unw
illin
g to
pro
vide
WI D
L/ ID
#
Pa
ge
__
__
_ o
f _
__
__
_
C. U
nabl
e or
unw
illin
g to
pro
vide
acc
epta
ble
proo
f of i
dent
ifica
tion
Cop
y is
sen
t (or
info
rmat
ion
rela
yed
over
the
tele
phon
e) to
the
Cou
nty
Cle
rk a
nd P
rovi
der o
n El
ectio
n N
ight
.
GA
B-1
23
r | R
ev. 2
015-
04 |
Gov
ernm
ent A
ccou
ntab
ility
Boa
rd, P
.O. B
ox 7
984,
Mad
ison
, WI 5
3707
-798
4 | 6
08-2
61-2
028
| web
: gab
.wi.g
ov |
emai
l: ga
b@w
i.gov
-4-
GAB-123is | Rev 2015-04 | Government Accountability Board, P.O. Box 7984, Madison, WI 53707-7984 | 608-261-2028 | web: gab.wi.gov | email: [email protected]
PROVISIONAL VOTING INFORMATION SHEET
You are being given a provisional ballot today because one of the following situations applies:
You are unable or unwilling to list your Wisconsin driver license or identification card number
on your voter registration application.
You are a first-time voter who registered by mail before April 4, 2014 who is unable to provide
the poll workers with acceptable proof of residence.
You are unable or unwilling to present an acceptable proof of identification.
Your provisional ballot number is PV#____________________________.
Your provisional ballot will not count unless you provide the poll workers with the required information
before the polling place closes at 8:00 p.m. tonight, or you provide the required information to the
municipal clerk by 4:00 p.m. the Friday after the election
If you need to provide your Wisconsin driver license or identification card number, you may contact the
municipal clerk using the information below no later than 4:00 p.m. Friday.
If you need to provide proof of residence, you must provide it (or a copy) to the municipal clerk no later
than 4:00 p.m. Friday. Acceptable forms of proof of residence may be found on the back side of this
handout. Electronic forms are acceptable.
If you need to present an acceptable proof of identification, you must present your proof of identification
to the municipal clerk no later than 4:00 p.m. Friday. Acceptable forms of proof of identification may
be found on the back side of this handout.
You may check whether your ballot was counted by contacting the municipal clerk.
Municipal Clerk Contact information:
______________________________________ ______________________________ (Name of municipal clerk) (Telephone number)
______________________________________ ______________________________ (Address) (Fax number)
______________________________________ ______________________________ (Municipality, state, zip code) (E-mail address)
You may check whether your ballot was counted by contacting the municipal clerk or the MyVote WI
website at: https://myvote.wi.gov, or contact the Government Accountability Board at 866-VOTEWIS
(868-3947).
NOTE: Provisional ballots will NOT be issued when a voter is at the wrong polling place or when
a person is attempting to register in-person at the polling place and does not provide the required
proof of residence.
-5-
GAB-123is | Rev 2015-04 | Government Accountability Board, P.O. Box 7984, Madison, WI 53707-7984 | 608-261-2028 | web: gab.wi.gov | email: [email protected]
Acceptable Forms of Proof of Residence
A current and valid Wisconsin driver license
A current and valid Wisconsin identification
card
Any other official ID card or license issued
by a Wisconsin governmental body
An ID card with your photo issued by an
employer during the normal course of
business (not including a business card)
A real estate tax bill or receipt (for the
current year or year before the election)
A residential lease which is effective for a
period that includes Election Day
A university, college, or technical college
identification card (must include photo)
together with a fee payment receipt issued to
the cardholder by the university, college, or
technical college dated no earlier than 9
months before the date of the election at
which the receipt is presented or a certified
housing list that indicates U.S. citizenship.
A utility bill for a period starting no earlier
than 90 days before Election Day
A bank statement
A paycheck
A government check
Any other official document issued by a unit
of government
NOTE: All of the above must contain a current
and complete name, including both first and last
name; and a current and complete residential
address, including numbered street address, if
any, and the name of the municipality (or city
used for mailing purposes). If the form has an
expiration date, it must be valid on Election
Day.
Acceptable Forms of Proof of Identification
The following photo IDs are acceptable for
voting purposes, and can be unexpired or
expired after the date of the most recent general
election:
A Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license,
even if driving privileges are revoked or
suspended
A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card
Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed
service
A U.S. passport book or card
The following photo IDs are also acceptable for
voting purposes, but must be unexpired:
A certificate of naturalization that was
issued not earlier than two years before the
date of an election at which it is presented
A driver license receipt issued by Wisconsin
DOT (valid for 45 days)
An identification card receipt issued by
Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
A photo identification card issued by a
Wisconsin accredited university or college
that contains the following:
o Date of Issuance
o Signature of Student
o Expiration date no later than two
years after date of issuance.
o The university or college ID must
be accompanied by a separate
document that proves enrollment.
The following photo ID is acceptable for voting
purposes, regardless of the expiration date:
o An identification card issued by a
federally recognized Indian tribe in
Wisconsin
-6-
Write-In Candidates
2015 Wisconsin Act 37: Requires that a write-in candidate must
file a registration statement no later than noon on the Friday before
the election to be a registered write-in candidate.
Write-In candidates must file a campaign registration statement (GAB-1)
with the appropriate filing officer by the Friday before an election. The
municipal clerk must provide election inspectors with a list of all qualified
write-in candidates at the polling place on Election Day. The election
inspectors must provide the list to any voter who requests it. The list may
not be posted at the polling place on Election Day and election inspectors
may not inform voters of any write-in candidates unless asked.
-7-
Counting Write-In Votes in Multiple-Seat Offices
Review of 2013 Act 178
2013 Wisconsin Act 178 limits when votes cast for unregistered write-in candidates may be counted, but considers only “vote for 1” offices. The fundamentals of Act 178 are:
If there is at least one ballot candidate for a given office— Only tally votes for registered write-in candidates
If there are no ballot candidates (i.e., less than one) for a given office— Tally all write-in votes
If there are any ballot candidates for a given office, and one or more pass away— Tally all write-in votes
Applying 2013 Act 178 to Multiple-Seat Offices
The application of Act 178 to multiple-seat offices follows the same principles while considering the number of seats to be filled within the office. Here are the fundamentals of Act 178 using a “vote for 2” office as an example:
If there are at least two ballot candidates for a given office— Only tally votes for registered write-in candidates
If there are less than two ballot candidates for a given office— Tally all write-in votes
If there are any ballot candidates for a given office, and one or more pass away— Tally all write-in votes
Process for Determination of Viability of Write-in Votes
There are four questions inspectors should ask themselves when determining write-in vote viability and in what situations votes for ballot candidates may be considered. The four questions are:
1) Can all write-in votes be counted or just those for registered write-in candidates?
2) Is (or are) the write-in candidate(s) registered?
3) Regardless of whether the write-in vote(s) can or can’t be counted, are there enough write-in votes tofill the seats up for election?
4) How many votes is the elector entitled to?
Taking time to ask these questions should help to sort out the confusion write-in votes can cause.
On the following pages are examples that implement the application of Act 178 and the four questions used to determine viability of write-in votes and when votes for ballot candidates may be considered. The examples use “Vote for not more than 2” and “Vote for not more than 3” offices.
-8-
Example 1
Village Trustee Vote for not more than 2
Mark Mywerds Shirley Ugest
Rusty Pipe_____ ________________
2 ballot candidates in a 2-seat office. Rusty is a registered write- in candidate.
The voter has cast votes for the two ballot candidates and has also written in a name.
1) Can all write-in votes be counted or just those for registeredwrite-in candidates?
There are two ballot candidates in this “vote for 2” office, so only votes for registered write-in candidates may be counted.
2) Is the write-in candidate registered?
Yes. Rusty Pipe is a registered write-in candidate, so a vote is tallied for Rusty.
3) Regardless of whether the write-in vote can or can’t be counted, arethere enough write-in votes to fill the seats up for election?
No. There is only one write-in vote for this two-seat office, so ballot candidates may be considered.
4) How many votes is the elector entitled to?
Two. One vote has been tallied for the write-in candidate, so the voter is entitled to one more vote, but which ballot candidate the voter intended to vote for cannot be determined, so no vote is counted for either ballot candidate.
Result: Only one vote is counted—write-in Rusty’s.
Example 2
Town Board Supervisor Vote for not more than 3
Dewey Wanna Anita Proof
Izzy Serton_____ Margi Navera___ ________________
2 ballot candidates in a 3 seat office. Margi is registered, Izzy is not registered.
The voter has cast votes for the two ballot candidates and has also written in two names.
1) Can all write-in votes be counted or just those for registered write-incandidates?
There are two ballot candidates in this “vote for 3” office, so all write- in votes may be counted.
2) Are the write-in candidates registered?
One is, one isn’t, but all write-in votes may be counted. Votes are counted for both write-in candidates.
3) Regardless of whether the write-in vote can or can’t be counted, arethere enough write-in votes to fill the seats up for election?
No. There are only two write-ins for this three-seat office, so ballot candidates may be considered.
4) How many votes is the elector entitled to?
Three. Two votes have been tallied for the write-in candidates, so the voter is entitled to one more vote, but which ballot candidate the voter intended to vote for cannot be determined, so no vote is counted for either ballot candidate.
Result: Only the two write-in votes are counted.
-9-
Example 3
Village Trustee Vote for not more than 2
Ida Thotso
Izzy Serton_____ Margi Navera___
1 ballot candidate in a 2-seat office. Izzy is a registered write-in candidate, Margi is not.
The voter has cast a vote for the ballot candidate and has also written in two names.
1) Can all write-in votes be counted or just those for registered write-incandidates?
There is one ballot candidate in this “vote for 2” office, so all write- in votes may be counted.
2) Are the write-in candidates registered?
One is, one isn’t, but all write-in votes may be counted. Votes are counted for both write-in candidates.
3) Regardless of whether the write-in vote can or can’t be counted, arethere enough write-in votes to fill the seats up for election?
Yes. There are two write-ins for this two-seat office, so ballot candidates may not be considered.
4) How many votes is the elector entitled to?
Two. Two votes have been tallied for the write-in candidates, so the voter is not entitled to any more votes; the vote for the ballot candidate does not count.
Result: Only the two write-in votes are counted.
Note: The voting equipment has recorded a vote for the ballot candidate. The inspectors must subtract a vote for Ida Thotso on the tape.
Example 4
School Board Member Vote for not more than 3
Mark Urballot R. U. Smart
Letta Meein Charlie Horse
Peter Piper Andy Lost
Dudley Doright___ Tom Terrific____ ___________
6 ballot candidates in a 3-seat office. Dudley is registered, Tom is not.
The voter has cast a vote for a ballot candidate and has also written in two names.
1) Can all write-in votes be counted or just those for registered write-incandidates?
There are six ballot candidate in this “vote for 3” office, so only votes for registered write-in candidates may be counted.
2) Are the write-in candidates registered?
Dudley is, but Tom is not. A vote is counted for Dudley.
3) Regardless of whether the write-in votes can or can’t be counted, arethere enough write-in votes to fill the seats up for election?
There are only 2 write-in votes for this three-seat office, so ballot candidates may be considered.
4) How many votes is the elector entitled to?
Three. One vote has been counted for a write-in candidates, so the voter is entitled to two more votes. The vote marked for the ballot candidate is counted.
Result: One ballot candidate vote and one write-in vote are counted.
-10-
Example 5
Town Board Supervisor Vote for not more than 3
Andy Warhol Gloria Steinem Walter Winchell
Izzy Serton_____ Margi Navera__ Ima Fended____
3 ballot candidates in a 3-seat office. Margi and Ima are registered, Izzy is not.
The voter has cast a vote for the ballot candidate and has also written in three names.
1) Can all write-in votes be counted or just those for registered write-incandidates?
There are three ballot candidate in this “vote for 3” office, so only votes for registered write-in candidates may be counted.
2) Are the write-in candidates registered?
Margi and Ima are registered, Izzy is not. Votes are counted for Margi and Ima.
3) Regardless of whether the write-in vote can or can’t be counted, arethere enough write-in votes to fill the seats up for election?
Yes. There are three write-ins for this three-seat office, so ballot candidates may not be considered.
4) How many votes is the elector entitled to?
Three. Two votes have been tallied for write-in candidates, so the voter is entitled to one more vote, but ballot candidates may not be considered (See 3 above). The vote for Gloria does not count.
Result: Only the two write-in votes are counted.
Note: The voting equipment has recorded a vote for the ballot candidate. The inspectors must subtract a vote for Gloria Steinem on the tape.
Example 6
Town Board Supervisor Vote for not more than 3
Andy Warhol Walter Winchell
Chet Huntley
Izzy Serton_____ Ima Fended_____ _______________
3 ballot candidates in a 3-seat office. Ima is registered, Izzy is not. Chet is deceased.
The voter has cast a vote for a ballot candidate and has also written in two names.
1) Can all write-in votes be counted or just those for registered write-incandidates?
Chet is deceased. All write-in votes may be counted.
2) Are the write-in candidates registered?
Ima is registered, Izzy is not, but all write-ins may be counted. A vote is counted for both Ima and Izzy.
3) Regardless of whether the write-in votes can or can’t be counted, arethere enough write-in votes to fill the seats up for election?
No. There are two write-in votes for this three-seat office, so ballot candidates may be considered.
4) How many votes is the elector entitled to?
Three. Two write-in votes have been counted. The voter is entitled to one more vote, and ballot candidates may be considered. (See 3 above.) The vote for Chet is counted.
Result: The votes for Chet and both write-ins are counted.
-11-
Example 7
School Board Member Vote for not more than 3
Mark Urballot R. U. Smart
Letta Meein Charlie Horse
Peter Piper Andy Lost Dudley Doright____ Tom Terrific_____ Huckleberry Hound__ 6 ballot candidates in a 3-seat office. Dudley, Tom and Huckleberry are all registered.
The voter has cast a vote for two ballot candidates and has also written in three names.
1) Can all write-in votes be counted or just those for registered write-incandidates?
There are six ballot candidate in this “vote for 3” office, so only votes for registered write-in candidates may be counted.
2) Are the write-in candidates registered?
All write-in candidates are registered. A vote is counted for each write-in.
3) Regardless of whether the write-in votes can or can’t be counted, arethere enough write-in votes to fill the seats up for election?
Yes. There are three write-in votes for this three-seat office, so ballot candidates may not be considered.
4) How many votes is the elector entitled to?
Three. One vote has been counted for each of the three write-in candidates, so the voter is not entitled to another vote. The vote marked for the ballot candidate is not counted. Result: The three write-in votes are counted.
Note: The voting equipment has recorded votes for two ballot candidates. The inspectors must subtract one vote each from R. U. Smart and Peter Piper on the tape.
Example 8
Town Board Supervisor Vote for not more than 3
Andy Warhol Gloria Steinem
Walter Winchell Chet Huntley
Izzy Serton____ Margi Navera__ ______________
4 ballot candidates in a 3-seat office. Neither Izzy nor Margi are registered. Chet Huntley is deceased.
The voter has cast a vote for two ballot candidates and has also written in two names.
1) Can all write-in votes be counted or just those for registered write-incandidates?
Chet is deceased. All write-in votes may be counted.
2) Are the write-in candidates registered?
Neither write-in candidate is registered, but as there is a deceased ballot candidate, it does not matter in this case.
3) Regardless of whether the write-in votes can or can’t be counted, arethere enough write-in votes to fill the seats up for election?
No. There are only two write in votes for this three-seat office, so ballot candidates may be considered.
4) How many votes is the elector entitled to?
Three. The votes for the two write-in candidates are counted first, so the voter is entitled to one more vote, but which ballot candidate the voter intended to vote for cannot be determined, so no vote is counted for either ballot candidate.
Result: The two votes for the write-in candidates are counted.
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