12.01 Definitions. The definitions given under s. 11.0101 apply to this chapter, except as follows: (1) “Candidate” includes a candidate for national office. (2) “Commission” means the elections commission. History: 1973 c. 334; 1975 c. 93; 1977 c. 427; 1979 c. 89; 1983 a. 484; 2015 a. 118; 2017 a. 366.
12.02 Construction. In this chapter, criminal intent shall be construed in accordance with s. 939.23. History: 1977 c. 427.
12.03 Campaigning restricted. (1) No election official may engage in electioneering on election day. No municipal clerk or employee of the clerk may engage in electioneering in the clerk’s office or at the alternate site under s. 6.855 during the hours that ballots may be cast at those locations. (2) (a) 1. No person may […]
12.035 Posting and distribution of election-related material. (1) In this section, “election-related material” means any written matter which describes, or purports to describe, the rights or responsibilities of individuals voting or registering to vote at a polling place or voting an absentee ballot at the office of the municipal clerk or an alternate site under […]
12.04 Communication of political messages. (1) In this section: (a) “Election campaign period” means: 1. In the case of an election for office, the period beginning on the first day for circulation of nomination papers by candidates, or the first day on which candidates would circulate nomination papers were papers to be required, and ending […]
12.05 False representations affecting elections. No person may knowingly make or publish, or cause to be made or published, a false representation pertaining to a candidate or referendum which is intended or tends to affect voting at an election. History: 1973 c. 334; 1993 a. 175. A violation of this section does not constitute defamation […]
12.07 Election restrictions on employers. (1) No person may refuse an employee the privilege of time off for voting under s. 6.76 or subject an employee to a penalty therefor. (2) No employer may refuse to allow an employee to serve as an election official under s. 7.30 or make any threats or offer any […]
12.08 Denial of government benefits. No person may, directly or indirectly, cause any person to make a contribution or provide any service or other thing of value to or for the benefit of a committee registered under ch. 11, with the purpose of influencing the election or nomination of a candidate to national, state, or […]
12.09 Election threats. (1) No person may personally or through an agent make use of or threaten to make use of force, violence, or restraint in order to induce or compel any person to vote or refrain from voting at an election. (2) No person may personally or through an agent, by abduction, duress, or […]
12.11 Election bribery. (1) In this section, “anything of value” includes any amount of money, or any object which has utility independent of any political message it contains and the value of which exceeds $1. The prohibitions of this section apply to the distribution of material printed at public expense and available for free distribution […]
12.13 Election fraud. (1) Electors. Whoever intentionally does any of the following violates this chapter: (a) Votes at any election or meeting if that person does not have the necessary elector qualifications and residence requirements. (b) Falsely procures registration or makes false statements to the municipal clerk, board of election commissioners or any other election […]
12.60 Penalties. (1) (a) Whoever violates s. 12.09, 12.11 or 12.13 (1), (2) (b) 1. to 7. or (3) (a), (e), (f), (j), (k), (L), (m), (y) or (z) is guilty of a Class I felony. (b) Whoever violates s. 12.03, 12.05, 12.07, 12.08 or 12.13 (2) (b) 8., (3) (b), (c), (d), (g), (i), […]
