Overview

Election Inspectors (also referred to as “election officials” and “poll workers”) staff polling places on Election Day. “Manual” at 9. **Each polling place has seven appointed Election Inspectors. Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 7.30(1)(a), (4)(a); “Manual” at 9. **The Municipal Clerk designates one Inspector at each polling place to serve as Chief Inspector. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.30(6)(b).

Election Inspectors are responsible for running polling places, including issuing ballots (regular and provisional), monitoring voting equipment, and registering electors. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.37; “Manual” at 9. In all municipalities, the Election Inspectors serve as the Local Board of Canvassers. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.51. In this role, Election Inspectors canvass all votes received at the polling place, compare poll lists, tally results from voting machines, count write-in votes, count paper ballots, secure ballots, report election returns to the Municipal Clerk, and transport ballots and other materials to the Municipal Clerk. Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 5.85, 7.51. The Election Inspectors also process and count absentee ballots in places where central absentee processing centers are not used. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 6.88.  In municipalities with only one polling place, the Election Inspectors assigned to the polling place also serve as the Municipal Board of Canvassers. Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 7.37(12), 7.53(1).

Election Inspectors must receive training from the Municipal Clerk every two years. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.315(b)(1); “Manual” at 10. **State law does not dictate the curriculum of the training or how many hours of training are required. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.315(b)(1); “Manual” at 10.

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of Election Inspectors are:

1. Issuing provisional ballots. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.37; “Manual” at 9.
2. Serving as the Local Board of Canvassers. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.51.
3. Serving as the Municipal Board of Canvassers in municipalities with only one polling place. Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 7.37(12), 7.53(1).
4. Processing absentee ballots. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 6.88.
5. Reporting returns to Municipal Clerks. Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 5.85, 7.51.
6. Transporting ballots and other materials to Municipal Clerks. Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 5.85, 7.51.

Selection and Vacancy Information

• **Appointed: ****Election Inspectors are nominated by a municipality’s Mayor, President, or Board of Supervisors Chairperson no later than the last regular meeting in December of each odd-numbered year. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.30(4)(a). The appointees are chosen from lists submitted by the two dominant political parties. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.30(4)(b). Typically, seven Election Inspectors are appointed per polling location, but each polling location is required to have at least three. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.30(1)(a); “Manual” at 9. The Municipal Clerk designates one Inspector at each polling place to serve as Chief Inspector. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.30(6)(b).
• Term of Office: Election Inspectors are appointed for two-year terms. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.30(6)(a). Once appointed, Election Inspectors serve in every election held during their two-year term. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.30(6)(a).
• Qualifications: Election Inspectors must be qualified to vote in the county served by the polling place at which they are appointed. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.30(20(c); “Manual” at 9. Election Inspectors must be able to read, write, and understand English, and they may not be candidates for any office on the ballot in the election at which they serve. “Manual” at 9. The Wisconsin Elections Commission also recommends that the Municipal Clerk, even when not on the ballot, not serve as an Election Inspector. “Manual” at 10.
• Vacancy: In the case of a vacancy, the Municipal Clerk appoints a replacement Election Inspector from the remaining names on the lists submitted by the political parties. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.30(2)(b).
• Training: Election Inspectors must receive training from the Municipal Clerk within two years of any election at which they serve. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.315.