If a voter casts an absentee ballot, but dies before election day, can the ballot be counted?

No.  Absentee voting procedures allow an elector to complete a ballot before election day.  However, absentee ballots are not considered cast until election day.  If the voter is deceased at the time the absentee ballot is being processed at the polling place, the ballot cannot be counted.  S. 6.21, Wis. Stats.  3/12/2003