Wisconsin § 5.81 - Ballot information; arrangement; absentee ballots.

Full text of Wisconsin Wisconsin Statutes § 5.81 — Ballot information; arrangement; absentee ballots., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 5.81. Ballot information; arrangement; absentee ballots.

5.81(1) (1) Whenever the statutes provide for the use of separate ballots or columns or rows for offices, parties or referenda, and an electronic voting system in which ballots are distributed to electors is used at a polling place, a single ballot may be used for all offices, referenda and parties. The ballot information, whether placed on the ballot or on the voting device, shall, as far as practicable, be grouped and ordered in the same manner as provided for other ballots under this chapter, except that the information on the ballot need not be in separate columns or rows. 5.81(3) (3) If a municipality utilizes an electronic voting system in which ballots distributed to electors are employed, absentee ballots may consist of ballots utilized with the system or paper ballots and envelopes voted in person in the office of the municipal clerk or voted by mail. 5.81(4) (4) In partisan primary elections, if a ballot contains the names of candidates of more than one party, it shall provide a space for electors to designate a party preference. Failure to designate a preference does not invalidate any votes cast by an elector, except as provided in s. 7.50 (1) (d) . 5.81 History History: 1979 c. 311 ; 1985 a. 304 ; 1999 a. 182 ; 2001 a. 16 ; 2011 a. 32 .

Source: official Wisconsin text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin § 5.81

What does Wisconsin Statutes § 5.81 cover?

Section 5.81 ("Ballot information; arrangement; absentee ballots.") is part of the Wisconsin Statutes, the codified statutory law of Wisconsin. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Wisconsin § 5.81?

A common citation format is "Wisconsin Statutes § 5.81" (Wisconsin). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Wisconsin law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Wisconsin official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney.

How does Wisconsin § 5.81 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Wisconsin can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Wisconsin.