1. The Rusk County Clerk's Office WELCOMES YOU for…. Rusk County 2012 Election Cycle Election Training/Info Session Election Training March 2012

2. Certificate of Attendance ■This session qualifies as additional training for Municipal Clerk, Chief Inspector, and Poll Worker training. ■It does not qualify as Core or Baseline Chief Inspector Training. This session contains advanced topics and requires class participation to be most beneficial.

3. The Wisconsin Mission is Rusk County’s Mission! ■To enhance representative democracy by ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. ■To ensure elections are: –Open –Fair –Impartial –Trusted – the vote of every elector counts

4. Training Objectives ■ Information ■ Knowledge ■ Confidence ■ Consistency & Uniformity – procedures are the same statewide

5. What’s been going on Since the LAST election April, 2011? LOTS!!!!! Section 1

6. Photo ID - What do we do now? ■Wisconsin §6.79(2)(a) ■Currently as it stands Voters are NOT required to show a photo ID to vote. ■Clerks and Election Inspectors can not ask to see a photo ID. ■If a person offers their photo ID voluntarily. Politely tell the voter that due to the court order photo ID is not currently required. ■If a by-mail absentee voter sends a copy of their photo ID with their absentee ballot – Mark “Photo ID Provided” on your absentee ballot log & poll book. Retain the ID with the absentee ballot request. ■Provisional ballots will ONLY be used now for two reasons: 1. “POR Required” show up on the poll list & voter can not show proof of residence. 2. Registering on election day and voter indicates he/she has a WI driver’s license number, but can’t or won’t provide the number. ■An elector who votes a provisional ballot may furnish POR to the election inspector before the polls close or to the municipal clerk no later than 4 pm on the Friday following Election Day.

7. No more corroborating witness for proof of residency Residency requirements increase from 10 days to 28 days If photo ID becomes law - Increase in provisional balloting Increase in postage due to predicted increase in absentee voting Signature required at the polls (sign ONE poll list only and the signed list becomes County Clerk’s copy) End of SRD through G.A.B. Municipal Clerks may appoint SRD’s to register voters WITHIN ‘that’ municipality. Registration ends at 5pm the Friday BEFORE Election Day and then begins again on Election Day. Provisional timeline moved from Wednesday at 4pm to FRIDAY at 4pm Voter Registration REQUIRES previous address. Elimination of Straight Party Ticket More information to learn…

8. REDISTRICTING

9. Can’t find people ? HAVE MAPS AVALABLE Due to changes in the 2010 Census and Redistricting, poll books will not be 100% correct.

10. What “processes” have been affected due to changes? ■Calendar Timelines ■Voter Registration ■Voting in the Clerk’s Office ■Absentee Voting ■Provisional Voting ■Curbside Voting ■Conducting Canvass ■Reporting Results on Election Night

11. Who’s on the Ballot? April = Everyone PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE Court of Appeals – Branch 3 Rusk County Board (19) School Board Members Some Extras for = Villages & City VILLAGES Village President Village Clerk Village Treasurer Village Trustees CITY Mayor Municipal Judge Alderpersons LOTS OF BALLOTS

13. Section 2 Qualifications for Election Officials

14. ■Municipal Clerks ■Chief Inspectors ■Election Inspectors ■Special Registration Deputies (SRDs) –Election Day ■Greeters and Tabulators ■Oaths You must be appointed to a 2- year term in your municipality by December 31…

15. In order to receive credit for today’s training, pick up your certificate of attendance before you leave.

19. Preparing to Serve ■Attend Election Day Training ■Know your Election Day Manual ■Work with your clerk –Number of Election Inspectors –Contingency Plans –Have Materials Needed ■Visit & Inspect the polling place ■Familiarize yourself with the ballot and equipment ■Arrive at the polling place early

20. WHAT YOU DO IS VERY IMPORTANT!

21. Section 3 Pre-Election Preparations

22. PollIngPlaceSetUpPollIngPlaceSetUp Page 33

24. Voting Equipment –Edge Touch Screen Voting Machine –Must have at least one accessible voting equipment component –Be sure you know how to use and explain all the equipment, and who to contact if there are problems –Verify tamper-evident seal number matches number contained on Inspectors’ Statement, initial –Zero-count requirement

25. Recount Issues dealing with Voting Equipment and Elections Materials ■Poll Book Reconciliation contained most errors: Both books not matching due to duplicated or missing voter numbers and incorrect page number listed for last voter…please be mindful. ■GAB-104 Inspectors’ Statement: Incidents not documented, unclear, or no incidents listed for entire day at all. ■Many Election Inspectors and clerks were unfamiliar with how to troubleshoot voting equipment issues, such as changing paper, deselecting check marks, and enlarging screen view. ■Absentee issues: No Absentee log, Absentee Certificate envelope rejected or not rejected properly, absentee voter number not listed on envelope. ■People voting in the wrong place.

27. Election Day Contacts… Denise Wetzel, Clerk 715-532-2100 715-790-6168

28. Section 4 Election Day Issues

29. Opening the Polls ■Polls must open at 7:00 a.m. ■To officially open the polls, the chief inspector: –Unlocks the doors to all entrances, including any alternate accessible entrances –Officially announces the opening of the polls Did you check that the bins were empty and sign the Machine ZERO tape?

30. Election Observers other than a candidate Anyone, other than a candidate up for election, has the right to be present at the polling place to observe the conduct of the election. ■Establish observer area when setting up polling place ■Observers may examine the poll list so long as they do not interfere with election inspectors’ responsibilities

31. Electioneering ■Definition: any activity intended to influence voting at an election ■Electioneering is prohibited on public property within 100 feet of any entrance to a building containing a polling place –Some considerations ■Bumper stickers ■Exit Polls ■Bake Sales and other activities

32. Voter Qualifications ■Must be US Citizen ■Must be age 18 or older 28 days before an election ■Must have resided in an election district or ward for 28 days before an election ■Must not be disqualified from voting under §6.03, Wis. Stats. –Convicted of felonyand still serving terms of sentence –Adjudicated Incompetent –Placed bet or wager on outcome of election

33. Residency You may only vote in ONE municipality ■Establishing residency –Physical presence, residency for voting purposes ■Temporary Absence ■Intent to return ■Student status ■“Part-time” residents

35. REMEMBER due to REDISTRICTING you may need to assist voters whose polling location or ward # changed.

36. Certificate of Registration (GAB-133) ■For voters who registered after the cut-off (20 days before an election) New rule – Registration and voting by Absentee in the Clerks office CLOSES FRIDAY before the election at 5 pm! Was Monday before election…

37. Election Day Registration To register on Election Day, voter needs to: ■Fill out a Voter Registration Application (GAB-131) ■Provide a valid form of proof of residence

38. Voter Registration Application (GAB-131) Remember to check the Ineligible voter list for EVERY voter who registers on Election Day.

39. Voter Registration Application (GAB-131) Identification Number Requirement (Box 2) A.Has WI Driver’s License  MUST provide number B.Does not have WI Driver’s License  Use last 4 digits of Social Security number or DOT-issued ID card C.No WI DL, ID card or SSN  Fill in oval for this purpose A B

40. Voter Registration Application (GAB-131)

43. ■Elector must sign application in presence of election inspector ■Election inspector inspects form for completeness ■Election inspector must sign application indicating it has been accepted Voter Registration Application (GAB-131)

44. Proof of Residence ■Forms of proof must contain: – a complete name (first and last name) – a current and complete residential address ■Forms which have an expiration date must be valid on Election Day ■Election official must view the proof of residence and record the type and any unique number on the bottom of the Voter Registration Application (GAB-131)

45. Forms of Proof of Residence ■WI Driver’s License or ID card ■University ID or fee card (must have photo) ■Other official or gov’t-issue ID card ■Real estate tax bill or receipt (for current year or year before) ■Residential Lease (not for first-time voters who registered by mail) ■Utility Bill (dated no earlier that 90 days before Election Day) ■Bank statement, pay check, gov’t check VERY, VERY different from VOTER ID…

46. REVIEW…VOTER QUALIFICATIONS… The 3 major changes from last year are: 1.28 day residency requirement 2.Redistricting has affected many polling places and offices – voters may need help finding their polling place and ward # 3.No Corroborating Witness

47. Recording Voters ■Poll List Consist of 3 parts –Part 1: Regular Poll List (SVRS-Generated) –Part 2: Pre-printed Supplemental Poll List –Part 3: Hand-written Supplemental Poll List ■Pre-printed Poll List Notations –POR Required –Absentee ■Election Day Notations –Absentee –Provisional –Challenged Assisted Curbside Presidential Only

48. ISSUING BALLOTS AND VOTING 1 – Announce Name and Address to the Election Inspectors 2 – Elector Signs ONE Poll List 3 – Beginning with the number “1”, a voter # is assigned to each Elector 4 – Voter is issued a ballot that is initialed by two Election Inspector 5 – Voter is directed to voting area 6 – Voter marks his or her ballot on the voting machine or in the voting booth 7 – Voter records vote on machine or deposits ballot in ballot box

49. The County Clerk’s Office prefers that you use BLUE PEN on election day to record voters, and initial ballots. RED PEN to record Absentee and Voters may sign the book in any color pen – NOT pencil. What if the elector won’t sign or signs with an “X”? What if the elector signs in the wrong box?

50. Provisional Voting…ONLY used in TWO situations: 1.If an individual is a first-time voter, who registered by mail and has failed to provide the required proof of residence… ■The poll list will contain the notation “POR Required” to identify first time voters who registered by mail and who must show proof of residence before being allowed to vote; ■In the case of a first-time voter who voted absentee, the returned absentee ballot will be treated as provisional if no proof of residence has been provided with the returned absentee ballot.

51. 2. If an individual who registers on ELECTION DAY has a WI Driver’s license, but is unwilling or unable to provide the license number… ■Individuals who have a WI driver’s license may NOT use the last four (4) digits of the Social Security #. ■Electors may vote provisionally if providing the driver’s license number is the only missing registration element. If an elector is also missing required proof of residence, then he or she may NOT register to vote. Provisional Voting…ONLY used in TWO situations:

52. Provisional Voting Procedure 1.Voter fills out Provisional Voting Certificate Envelope (GAB-123) in the presence of one election inspector 2.Election Inspector COMPLETES certificate envelope by signing and indicating the type of information required. (POR, DL#, Photo ID) 3.Issue elector a provisional voter number (PV#_) –Recorded on BACK OF BALLOT, Inspector’s Statement (GAB-104), Provisional Ballot Cert. Envelope (GAB-123), Reporting Form (GAB-123r), Poll List or Supplemental Poll List, and the informational sheet that the elector receives. 4.Elector votes ballot in booth and seals ballot inside the envelope and returns to election inspector 1PV PV#3 – Phillip Alf issued Provisional Ballot 9:07 LS for NO Photo ID. Phillip F. Alf

53. Give This to the Voter: This is a two sided form…

54. Provisional Ballot Reporting Form (GAB-123r) Copy is sent to the County Clerk All information is called to the County Clerk’s Office on Election

55. Provisional Voting Procedure, con’t ■Give voter Provisional Voter Information Sheet Explaining that: *his/her vote is not counted unless missing information is provided to municipal clerk by 4:00 p.m. on the Friday following the election. ■Place the sealed envelope into Inspectors’ Certificate for Provisional Ballots envelope (GAB-108) * when the polling place closes, envelope MUST be secured in a separate bag with a tamper evident serialized numbered seal. CLEARLY mark bag “Provisional Ballots”

56. Assisting Electors An elector may select anyone to assist them at the polling place other than the voter’s employer or agent of the voter’s labor union. ■ Assistor marks ballot at the direction of the elector ■ Assistor signs the ballot ■ Name and address of assistor noted on the voter list  Record incident on Inspector Statement

57. Curbside Voting An elector who, due to a disability, is unable to enter the polling place, may receive a ballot at the entrance to the polling place. ■ TWO election inspectors ALWAYS! ■ Announce out loud in polling place that you are serving a curbside voter ■ Make a notation on the poll list “exempt by order of poll worker” in signature box ■DO NOT take the poll list outside! ■Record incident on Inspector Statement

58. Assisting a Voter with a Disability

59. Confidential Electors Electors who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking have the option to be listed confidentially on poll lists. ■Will be listed on “Confidential” portion of poll list ■“Confidential” portion of poll list is NOT open to public inspection ■Exempt from signing the poll list and from providing acceptable Photo ID.

60. Confidential Electors

61. Challenging Electors Any qualified elector may challenge a voter who they believe does not meet the qualifications to vote. ■MUST be made for reasonable cause ■Challenge recorded on the Challenge Documentation section (GAB-104c) of the Inspectors’ Statement (GAB-104) ■Notations on the GAB-104 and the poll list

62. Section 5 Ballots

63. Recount Issues dealing with Ballots/Ballot Containers. ■Election Inspectors were inconsistent with the handling of spoiled, damaged and replacement ballots. These ballots were inconsistently marked as damaged or replaced, or were not marked at all and were often put in incorrect envelopes. ■Ballot containers were not properly sealed. Tamper evident seal numbers documented on the Ballot Container Certificate (GAB-101) and Inspectors’ Statement were incorrectly recorded.

64. Remade Ballot ORIGINAL #1 REMADE #1 Absentee ballots often come back marked with the incorrect marking device and sometimes are on copy paper. Preserve Original in REMADE ballot Envelope and log on inspector statement Place this ballot in the ballot tabulator

65. Spoiled Ballot Sometimes voters make errors on their ballot and will request another one. Preserve Original in SPOILED ballot Envelope and log on inspector statement Place this ballot in the ballot tabulator Tear off this corner and place in envelope

66. Recount Issues dealing with the Absentee process and Absentee Ballots ■Absentee Certificate Envelopes lacked witness signatures. ■Many absentee ballots failed to include the initials of the issuing clerk or deputy clerk.

67. Absentee Ballots On Election Day, the municipal clerk delivers absentee ballots to the polling place. ■Absentee ballots must be processed in the same room the votes are cast. ■Absentee ballots may be processed at anytime between the opening and closing hours of the polling place.

68. Handling Absentee Ballots announce elector’s name and address ■Remove one Absentee Certificate Envelope (GAB-122) and announce elector’s name and address. ■Review the envelope to determine that: –The envelope is not open –The envelope has not been opened and then resealed signature of the elector –The signature of the elector appears on the certificate –The certificate contains the signature of one witness who is an adult US citizen

69. Absentee Certificate Envelope PORTRAIT VERSION

70. If Certificate is INSUFFICIENT… 1.Do not open the envelope 2.Mark the envelope “Rejected ballot #_” and write the reason for rejection on the envelope and Absentee Ballot Log 3.List the elector’s name, identifying serial number of ballot, and reason for rejection on the Inspectors' Statement (GAB-104) 4.Place the unopened certificate envelope in the Certificate of Rejected Absentee Ballots (GAB-102) 5.Do not issue a voter number!

71. If Certificate is SUFFICIENT… 1.Remove ballot from envelope 2.Examine contents to ensure that: ■No more than proper number of ballots enclosed ■Ballot contains initials of issuing clerk* 3.Record voter number on voter list and make “absentee” notation in RED (A) 4.Record voter information on Absentee Ballot Log 5.Place ballot in appropriate box 6.Place used certificate envelope in the Used Certificate Envelopes of Absentee Electors (GAB-103 )

72. Counting Paper Ballots Procedure for Hand-Counted Paper Ballots 1.Count (without examining) to determine total number of ballots 2.Check if number of ballots is equal to number of voters ■Make sure two ballots aren’t folded together ■If number of ballots is EQUAL TO or LESS THAN number of voters, proceed with counting ■If number of ballots is GREATER than number of voters, follow draw-down procedure (see Manual page 59)

73. Counting Paper Ballots, con’t 3.Count and record the votes on two separate Tally Sheets (GAB-105) 4.Reconcile the tally sheets when the counting for each office is complete 5.Voter Intent –“Defective” Ballots –“Objected to” Ballots 6.Announce the results of the votes cast at the polling place

74. Voter Intent ■Voter Intent is the controlling factor in determining how a ballot should be counted ■Where there is a question, a majority of the inspectors must agree that voter intent can or cannot reasonably be determined ■RECORD any decisions made on the Inspector’s Statement.

75. Section 6 Documentation

76. Issues regarding Poll Book Reconciliation ■When recording voter numbers in the poll book, Election Inspectors skipped or duplicated numbers. ■When issuing voter numbers in the poll book for Election Day registrants, Election Inspectors did not record participation for these voters in the supplemental poll book. Instead, the Inspectors recorded voter participation in the pre-printed section of the poll book only, or the Inspectors recorded participation in both the supplemental poll book and regular poll book. ■Elections Inspectors, when recording participation for absentee electors, failed to notate which electors voted by absentee ballot in the poll book.

77. Reconciling Poll Lists ■Compare voter numbers and notations on the poll lists –Recommend checking first and last numbers on each page, as well as every 3 rd or 5 th number –Make sure notations match –RUSK COUNTY’S highest mistake rate in Statewide recount April 2011. RECONCILE carefully and multiple times throughout the day. ■Chief inspector and election inspectors who maintained lists must sign them

78. Inspectors’ Statement (GAB-104)

80. In today’s election environment – it would be HIGHLY unlikely that NO INCIDENTS occur on election day. 1 X Child took cough drop off table and choked 9 LRS Mother got to spit out. Ok. Left w/out emergency care at mother’s request 2 X Elector #219 quite belligerent about new voting process and originally refused to sign poll list. When told she would be denied a ballot, she complied and continued verbal abuse at election officials. Voted ballot and left. 5:20 MMJ

81. Inspectors’ Statement (GAB-104)

82. ■Chief inspector or designated election inspector completes certificate –Include the total number of voters, number of absentee voters, and number of provisional voters ■Chief inspector and two other election inspectors sign the completed certificate ■Chief inspector signs the certification that he/she has completed the required training ■Chief Inspector initials on GAB-104 tamper- evident serial number on equipment matches the serial number written by clerk (Pre-election and Post-Election) ■Chief Inspector writes tamper evident serial number contained on ballot bag on GAB-104 and GAB-101

83. Tally Sheets (GAB-105) ■Review and compare the two originals –Election information is complete and correct –Tally marks are identical (5 strokes in each box) –Totals are correct and identical ■Complete and sign certification –Everyone who worked on counting ballots must sign

84. Municipal Board of Canvassers ■Purpose –Verify statement of election results –Determine winners for Municipality –Prepare board of canvassers report Take MINUTES!

85. Completing Forms ■Original Ballots Envelope –Bundle damaged, defective, objected to or set aside ballots and put into Original Ballots Envelope ■Ballot Bag or Container (GAB-101) –Place all voted ballots (paper and machine tape ballots) inside and seal –Complete and sign certification on ballot bag or container.

86. Closing the Polls ■Polls close at 8:00 p.m. ■To officially close the polls: –Chief Inspector announces the closing of the polls –End of Line officer stands behind last voter in line, if any remains open to public ■After last elector votes, polling place remains open to public –Do NOT lock the doors of the polling place –Anyone, including the candidate, may observe the end of night activities

87. The FINAL stretch is very important so save some stamina! Although you are exhausted, it is CRITICAL that the election is closed and secured properly!

88. Routing Materials ■All materials are delivered to the Municipal Clerk to deliver required materials to County Clerk ■Materials should be separated into categories per County Clerk’s Instructions

89. Submit Election Results to County Clerk – ON ELECTION NIGHT! ■Total votes cast for Federal, State, and County offices. ■Total number of scattering votes ■Number of outstanding Absentee Ballots. ■ALL information listed on GAB-123r Provisional Ballot reporting form.

90. Thank You!