Assembly Bill 374 seeks to amend Wisconsin election laws to comply with the federal Electoral Count Reform Act (ECRA), which requires states to complete their canvass, recount, and precertification processes within 36 days after a presidential election. The bill establishes a state deadline for certifying presidential election results and mandates that the governor transmit a certificate of ascertainment to the archivist of the United States no later than six days before the presidential electors meet. It also modifies the timing for electors' meetings, canvassing deadlines, and recount procedures, including the requirement for the Elections Commission to publish a table of deadlines related to presidential elections on its website.

Key amendments include shortening the timeframes for state canvasses and recounts, requiring immediate dispatch of recount orders upon receipt of valid petitions, and mandating that appeals of recount results be filed with the Wisconsin Supreme Court within one day. The bill also specifies that the county clerk must correct election statements and return them to the commission within three days, and it establishes that the state canvass for presidential elections must conclude no later than 16 days after the election. Furthermore, it clarifies that the governor must issue the certificate of ascertainment for presidential electors regardless of pending recounts, with certain conditions applying if a recount petition is filed. Overall, these changes aim to enhance the efficiency and timeliness of the electoral process in Wisconsin, particularly for presidential elections.

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