5.51 General provisions.
(1) The type face used on all paper ballots shall be easy to read.
(2) The paper used for ballots shall be 35 pounds per ream for sheets 24 inches by 36 inches. If a different size sheet is used, the weight per ream shall be proportioned accordingly, but shall meet this standard. This subsection does not apply to ballots used with electronic voting systems.
(3) All paper ballots shall be of sufficient width and length to provide space for all matter required to be printed on them. Except on ballots used with electronic voting systems, all ballot columns shall be separated by lines at least one-eighth inch in width.
(4) No stickers may be placed on a ballot by election officials except under s. 7.37 (6). Any other stickers applied by them shall not be counted.
(5) Each official ballot shall be printed on paper of uniform color. Different colors shall be used to distinguish office and referendum ballots and different colors may be used to distinguish separate ballots for different offices. Sample ballots shall be printed on a different color paper than the official ballots, and need not have the endorsement and certificate.
(6) All candidates' names for the same office shall be placed, projected or composed on the ballot in the same size, style and color of type. The style and size of type shall conform substantially to the official ballot forms prescribed by the commission under s. 7.08 (1) (a).
(7) In partisan primary elections, all ballots shall be of uniform color and size, and the same type of paper shall be used for all ballots.
(8) Unless otherwise specifically provided, the form of all ballots shall conform to the ballot forms prescribed by the commission under s. 7.08 (1) (a).
History: 1979 c. 260, 311; 1981 c. 377; 1983 a. 484 s. 174; 1985 a. 304; 1987 a. 391; 1999 a. 182; 2005 a. 92; 2015 a. 118 s. 266 (10).
Structure Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 5 - Elections — general provisions; ballots and voting systems.
5.025 - Elections commission; definition.
5.05 - Elections commission; powers and duties.
5.055 - Election assistance commission standards board.
5.056 - Matching program with secretary of transportation.
5.06 - Compliance review; appeal.
5.061 - Compliance with federal Help America Vote Act.
5.07 - Action to compel compliance.
5.08 - Petition for enforcement.
5.081 - Petition for enforcement of voting rights.
5.15 - Division of municipalities into wards.
5.18 - Enforcement of division requirement.
5.35 - Polling place requirements.
5.36 - Notice of voting by individuals with disabilities.
5.37 - Voting machine requirements.
5.40 - Use of voting machines or systems.
5.52 - Multi-candidate elections.
5.53 - Voting machine ballots.
5.56 - Multiple columns and rows.
5.58 - Spring primary ballots.
5.60 - Spring election ballots.
5.62 - Partisan primary ballots.
5.64 - General election ballots.
5.65 - Special referendum ballots.
5.72 - Correcting ballot errors.
5.76 - Adoption, experimentation or discontinuance of systems.
5.79 - Instruction of electors.
5.80 - Demonstrator electronic voting system.
5.81 - Ballot information; arrangement; absentee ballots.
5.83 - Preparation for use of voting devices; comparison of ballots.
5.84 - Testing of equipment; requirements for programs and ballots.
5.85 - Receiving, counting, tallying and return of ballots.
5.86 - Proceedings at central counting locations.
5.91 - Requisites for approval of ballots, devices and equipment.