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Bill

AB 800

Relating to: early canvassing of absentee ballots and providing a penalty. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Clint Anderson and 16 co-sponsors

AB 800 permits Wisconsin election officials to begin counting absentee ballots before Election Day to accelerate result reporting and establishes penalties for procedural violations.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 800

Legislative bill overview

AB 800 would allow Wisconsin election officials to begin processing and counting absentee ballots before Election Day, rather than waiting until polls close. The bill establishes procedures for early canvassing of absentee ballots and includes penalties for violations of these new procedures.

Why is this important

Early canvassing can significantly speed up election result reporting on Election Night, reducing the days-long wait that currently occurs in Wisconsin. This addresses a practical challenge in modern elections where the volume of absentee ballots has grown substantially, while also potentially increasing public confidence in timely result certification.

Potential points of contention

  • Election security concerns: Opponents may argue that processing ballots before Election Day creates vulnerability to tampering or interference, or complicates chain-of-custody verification
  • Partisan implications: Early results reporting could influence voter turnout or behavior on Election Day, with concerns about which communities' votes are counted first
  • Implementation complexity: County election officials may need additional training, resources, and equipment to safely process ballots earlier without errors or security breaches

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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