Un-Explained Voter-Suppressive Quirk with WI Application for Absentee Ballot

On June 5 2012 while at Village Hall I completed form GAB-121 Wisconsin Application for Absentee Ballot, so that I could vote early in the upcoming election.  You may have received a copy of this form by mail in recent weeks.  

As I read through the form I noticed the option in box 6: I Request An Absentee Ballot Be Sent To Me For ... and the 2nd choice was All elections from today's date through the end of the current calendar year (ending 12/31).  

I remember talking to the clerk about how valuable this option would be for me, as I am frequently out of the area.

I completed the Application, as well as the pink form required to vote early and my ballot, which was then sealed in an envelope..  

I never received an Absentee Ballot for the Primary Election.

I never received an Absentee Ballot for the upcoming Presidential Election.

Today I called the Village Hall and was given this explanation:

'That option only applies if you MAIL IN the Application for Absentee Ballot.'  

WHAT?!!? That makes no sense at all. I was right there IN PERSON and nothing to that effect was ever explained to me by the Village employee who was helping me.  Nor do the INSTRUCTIONS state anything to that effect - and there is certainly room on the form to add those few words, if they are so important!

The WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS state simply: Select the second option if you would like to have a standing absentee request for any and all elections that may occur in a calendar year (ending December 31).

While I was complaining to the Village employee about the ridiculousness of the 'rule' and the lack of explanation on the form or by the employees at time of application she said, 'It is in the State Statutes.' and 'They can't put all the rules on the form.'

I asked where I could get a copy of this rule, she directed me to the Government Accountability Board (listed at the bottom of the form I had received in the mail). I called the Board immediately (608-261-2028), was connected to the desk of Ross Hein who was not available, so I left a message in his voice mail with my name, phone number and what I wanted to know.

I found the online Wisconsin State Statutes pertaining to Absentee Voting, looked through it fairly well and still do not see such a rule. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/6/I/25/1/c

I looked up the Village contact information for Absentee Ballots and sent an email to Joan Sieffert, figuring it was she I had spoken to earlier in the day.  "I would like to see a copy of the rules you must have at the office, whereby it states that an Application for Absentee Ballot must be mailed in, and cannot be made in person, in order to receive requested Absentee Ballots through 12/31.  The Village Hall must have written documentation for this, or how could anyone be trained or verify if they are following procedures correctly?"

As I was leaving my home for an appointment I received a call back from Mr. Hein at the Government Accountability Board. He had spoken with Ms. Sieffert and said she had 'made an error' in what she said to me, and he confirmed that the Village office did not handle my application properly and I should have received ballots by mail.  

When I returned home I had an email reply from Ms. Sieffert, "Yes it was me you spoke to, but I did not explain the procedure clearly.  You can submit the application in person, but when you are voting in person you must submit one application that says “Clerk’s Office” in number 5.  Then you must fill out another application that says “Mail” with the second circle filled in.  These are the procedures in our office so that we can handle the large volume of applications that get entered in our office.  These procedures are not written down anywhere, they were taught to the municipal clerks in training conducted by Election Specialists in the Government Accountability Board."

Hmmm... in Section 5 the form reads: 'Ballot will be mailed to the address above if no preference is indicated.'

I realize there may have been some confusion because I was both Voting Early and requesting that future Absentee ballots be mailed to me.  However I was being assisted by Village Staff while completing the paperwork, and that employee knew I was both voting and requesting Absentee Ballots by mail.  

It sounds like they need more training, and written procedures to reference. 

Does it really have to be that difficult to vote early, and to request being on the mail list for absentee ballots?  

I wonder if the voting abilities of other residents were affected like mine were...

My father says he is able to vote early, online in Florida.  When will we be able to do that in Wisconsin?