Senate Bill 378 seeks to amend Wisconsin election laws to comply with the federal Electoral Count Reform Act (ECRA) by establishing new deadlines for the certification and transmission of presidential election results. The bill requires the governor to send a certificate of ascertainment of presidential electors to the archivist of the United States six days prior to the electors' meeting, and it changes the date for the electors' meeting to the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December. Additionally, it mandates that the Elections Commission chairperson complete the state canvass of presidential election results within 16 days after the election and modifies the recount process to expedite actions and appeals related to presidential elections.

The bill also introduces new deadlines for municipal and county canvassing, requiring canvassing for presidential elections to start by 5 p.m. on the Friday after the election and for county boards of canvassers to examine returns by noon on the following Saturday. It shortens the appeal period for recounts to one business day, with appeals filed directly with the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Furthermore, the bill mandates the Elections Commission to publish a table of deadlines for presidential elections on its website, enhancing transparency. Key amendments include the requirement for county clerks to correct and return statements to the commission within three days and provisions for issuing certificates of election and ascertainment, ensuring that the election certification process is streamlined and results are reported accurately and promptly.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 7.51(5)(b), 7.51, 7.53(1)(a), 7.53, 7.53(2)(d), 7.60(3), 7.60, 7.60(5)(a), 7.70(1)(b), 7.70, 7.70(3)(a), 7.70(3)(c), 7.70(3)(i), 7.70(5)(title), 7.70(5)(a), 7.75(1), 7.75, 9.01(1)(ar)3, 9.01