Assembly Bill 506 proposes significant reforms to Wisconsin's partisan primary voting process, allowing voters to select candidates from multiple political parties for different offices, including the governor and lieutenant governor, while still being able to vote for independent candidates. This change aims to enhance voter choice and flexibility, with the new system set to be implemented in the 2026 partisan primary. The bill also includes various amendments and repeals to existing statutes that previously restricted voting to one party, updating definitions and provisions to reflect the new voting structure.

Additionally, the bill introduces amendments to election laws concerning voting procedures and candidate nominations. It mandates proof of residence for certain voters and specifies requirements for ballot requests made via fax or email. Key changes include the prompt submission of a certified list of presidential and vice-presidential candidates after the nomination deadline and the repeal of a statute regarding ballot returns in primaries. The bill clarifies that the candidate receiving the most votes in a partisan primary will be the party's nominee, regardless of whether their name appears on the ballot, thereby streamlining the voting process and clarifying rules around candidate nominations and write-in votes.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 5.02(16m), 5.02, 5.35(6)(b), 5.35, 5.51(7), 5.51, 5.62(1), 5.62, 5.62(2), 5.62(3), 5.655(1), 5.655, 5.81(4), 5.81, 5.84(1), 5.84, 5.91(1), 5.91, 5.91(3), 5.91(6), 6.80(2)(am), 6.80, 6.80(2)(f), 6.87(4)(b)1, 6.87, 7.08(2)(b), 7.08, 7.50(1)(d), 7.50, 7.50(2)(g), 8.16(1), 8.16, 8.16(6), 8.16(7)