Relating to: performing risk-limiting audits and eliminating the process for removing excess ballots from the vote count. (FE)

This bill modifies Wisconsin election procedures by replacing the random removal of excess ballots with risk-limiting audits for selected contests starting in 2026, expanding to all elections by 2027. It requires election officials to document ballot discrepancies in detail rather than randomly discarding surplus ballots, and mandates investigations if discrepancies exceed 0.5 percent of total ballots cast. The legislation also updates oath requirements for deputy election officials to include specific acknowledgments about absentee voting procedures and penalties for noncompliance. These changes directly affect election inspectors, canvassers, and the Wisconsin Elections Commission, which would oversee the implementation of audit standards and investigation protocols.