Introduction

The Wisconsin Legislature has determined that the vigorous exercise of our constitutional right
to vote should be strongly encouraged. The Legislature recognizes that it is difficult for many
individuals to get to the polling place on election day. This is particularly true for individuals
residing in nursing homes, community-based residential facilities, retirement homes, residential
care apartment complexes, and adult family homes. Wis. Stat. §§ 6.84(1), 6.875.

In order to meet this need, the Legislature has established the privilege of absentee voting as an
extension of the right to vote on election day. The Legislature recognizes that the privilege of
voting absentee is exercised wholly outside the traditional safeguards of the polling place. The
privilege of absentee voting must be carefully regulated to prevent the potential for fraud or
abuse, prevent overzealous solicitation of absent electors who may prefer not to participate in
an election, and prevent undue influence on an absentee elector to vote for or against a
candidate or referendum. Wis. Stat. § 6.84(1).

The purpose of this manual is to describe the procedures for absentee voting in Wisconsin
nursing homes, community-based residential facilities, retirement homes, residential care
apartment complexes, and adult family homes. These procedures have been developed in order
to encourage residents of these facilities to participate in the process of choosing their elected
representatives.

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