Overview

The Municipal Board of Canvassers is responsible for canvassing the results of all contests on the ballot. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.53. This process includes certifying the results of the election for municipal offices (but not for county and statewide offices). Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.53. The Municipal Board of Canvassers also conducts recounts upon the properly filed request of a petitioner. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 5.90.

In municipalities with only one polling place, the Election Inspectors assigned to the polling place serve as the Municipal Board of Canvassers. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.53(1). In municipalities containing two or more polling places, the Municipal Board of Canvassers is composed of the Municipal Clerk and two other qualified electors appointed by the Municipal Clerk. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.53(2)(a)(1). In cities with more than 500,000 residents, the Board of Election Commissioners serves as the Municipal Board of Canvassers. [1] Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.53(2)(c). Members of the Municipal Board of Canvassers serve two-year terms. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.53(2)(a)(1).

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the Municipal Board of Canvassers are:

  1. Canvassing the results of all contests on the ballot. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.53.
  2. Declaring and certifying election results for municipal offices. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 7.53.
  3. Conducting recounts. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 5.90.
  4. Processing, counting, and recording provisional ballots. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 6.97(4).

Selection and Vacancy Information

Footnotes