Wisconsin May Finally Eliminate a Bottleneck in Getting Election Results

Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 -- 11:00 AM

(Wisconsin Radio Network) This could be the year Wisconsin lawmakers eliminate a bottleneck in getting election results.

According to the Wisconsin Radio Network, current state law prohibits election workers from opening, processing or counting absentee ballots until Election Day. Representative Scott Krug wants to allow processing to begin the day before, as he explained during a committee hearing.

Krug said a bill addressing the issue could get through the Assembly and the Senate and get signed by the governor. That can also safely, accurately, swiftly report results and restore confidence in Wisconsin elections.

Krug said getting the Monday processing bill passed and signed into would help put an end to perceptions of late night “ballot drops” in Milwaukee, where counting absentee ballots can stretch into the early morning hours after Election Day.

A previous version of the bill passed the Assembly but didn’t get a vote in the state Senate. Similar law are in place in several other states including Florida.

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