Spoiled Ballot Q & A
SPOILED BALLOTS Q&A
A spoiled ballot is a ballot that has been marked incorrectly and is not counted by election officials. Spoiled ballots can happen for any number of accidental or deliberate reasons, such as being torn, soiled, or marked in any way that would identify the voter. A spoiled ballot never makes it into the ballot box.
This differs from a rejected ballot, which is a ballot that makes it into the ballot box but is rejected for being improperly marked, such as under-voting, overvoting, or not marked at all.
If you mismark your ballot or your candidate drops out of the race, you can request to have your ballot spoiled. You will then receive a new ballot.
Who can request to have a ballot spoiled?
Only the voter who cast the ballot can make the request, which must be submitted to their local clerk in writing or via email. Please email Village Clerk Bobbi Jo Birk-LaBarge at bbirklabarge@kronenwetter.org or drop off your submission at 1582 Kronenwetter Drive.
Does a voter need a reason to spoil their ballot?
A voter can spoil their ballot for any reason: for example, making a mistake on the original ballot, changing their mind about their choices or having voted for a candidate who is no longer in the race.
What happens after the request is made?
If the voter requests a new absentee ballot, the clerk notes on the absentee certificate envelope whether the new ballot is the second or third and makes the same note in the state’s absentee ballot log and the inspectors’ statement.
What’s the deadline to spoil an absentee ballot?
If voting by mail, the deadline is 5 p.m. the Thursday before the election (in this case, Aug. 4). If voting absentee in person, the deadline is the end of the municipal clerk’s in-person absentee voting hours.
Can a voter spoil an already completed and returned absentee ballot on Election Day and cast another ballot at their polling place?
No. However, if a voter has not returned their absentee ballot before Election Day, they can vote in person instead.
How many times may a voter spoil a ballot?
Wisconsin law allows voters to “spoil” their ballot and request a new one, for a total of three ballots. Only the voter who cast the ballot can make the request, which must be submitted to their local clerk in writing or via email.
If you have further questions please call or email Village Clerk Bobbi Jo Birk-LaBarge at bbirklabarge@kronenwetter.org or 715-693-4200 ext. 111.
