Wisconsin Administrative Code
Elections Commission
Chapter EL 20 - Complaint Procedure
Section EL 20.04 - Investigations

(1) Any matter brought to the commission shall be reviewed by the administrator who shall determine within 10 business days whether the complaint is timely, is sufficient as to form and states probable cause.

(2) If the complaint does not meet the standards under sub. (1), the administrator shall promptly return the complaint to the complainant, without prejudice unless otherwise provided by law, specifying both the defect in the complaint and the information appropriate to cure the defect. A copy of the administrator's letter to the complainant shall be provided to the respondent.

(3) If the complaint meets the standards under sub. (1) as applied to complaints under s. 5.05, Stats., the administrator shall promptly forward the complaint to the respondent at the respondent's last known post office address. The respondent shall file with the commission a verified, written answer within 10 business days. After receiving the answer, the administrator shall promptly forward the answer to the complainant at the complainant's last known post office address. The complainant may file a written, verified reply to the answer within 10 business days.

(4) After receiving an answer that makes any counterclaim against the complainant, the administrator shall promptly forward the counterclaim to the complainant. The complainant shall file a written, verified answer to the counterclaim within 10 business days. After receiving the complainant's answer, the administrator shall promptly forward the answer to the respondent for a written, verified reply to be filed within 10 business days.

(5) The administrator has the discretion to extend by not more than an additional 10 business days, the time for the complainant or respondent to file any responsive pleading. A business day is any day that the agency is open for business.

(6) If the complaint meets the standards under sub. (1), as applied to complaints under s. 5.06, Stats., the administrator shall proceed as the commission authorizes by duly adopted motion and, where no motion is in effect, the administrator shall proceed after consultation with the commission's chair.

(7) A party that fails to obtain an extension of time to respond pursuant to sub. (2), or who fails to respond within 10 business days to a pleading mailed to the party's last known post office address that is not returned to the commission, may be deemed to have admitted each allegation contained in the pleading, and to have accepted any other consequences for failing to respond to a pleading.

(8) The time period for filing an answer or reply begins 3 business days after the date of the transmittal letter from the administrator. An answer or reply will be treated as filed based on the postmark of the envelope transmitting the pleading.

(9) After all pleadings are filed under s. 5.05, Stats., the administrator shall analyze the pleadings, present them, with appropriate recommendations, to the commission at its next regularly scheduled meeting, or at the most immediate meeting thereafter at which the matter can be heard if the matter cannot be heard at the next regularly scheduled meeting, and forward a copy of the analysis and recommendations to the complainant and respondent within a reasonable time before the commission meeting at which the matter will be considered.

(10) After all pleadings are filed under s. 5.06, Stats., the administrator shall proceed as the commission authorizes by duly adopted motion or, where no motion is in effect, the administrator shall proceed after consultation with the commission's chair. Where the commission has delegated to the administrator the authority to resolve complaints, the administrator shall issue an order making findings and resolving the complaint.