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. Key provisions include a new deadline for the governor to transmit the certificate of ascertainment of presidential electors, which must be sent six days before the electors' meeting, and a change in the meeting date for electors to the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December. The bill also streamlines the timeline for the Elections Commission to complete the state canvass and introduces expedited procedures for recounts, including immediate orders and shortened appeal deadlines.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the Elections Commission to publish a table of deadlines for presidential elections on its website and adjusts municipal and county canvassing deadlines to align with the new requirements. It specifies that county clerks must correct and return election statements to the commission within three days and outlines the certification process for presidential electors, ensuring that the governor issues the certificate of ascertainment no later than six days before the electors convene, regardless of pending recounts. Overall, these amendments aim to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the election certification process in Wisconsin.

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