Sheboygan, Wisconsin – January 17, 2025 –The City of Sheboygan is pleased to announce its adoption of Wisconsin’s electronic poll book system, the Badger Book, to enhance the efficiency and security of elections. Developed by the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) in 2017, the Badger Book is the only electronic poll book authorized for use in Wisconsin elections. The system will be implemented for the February 18th Primary.
Benefits of Badger Books
The Badger Book is an innovative tool designed to streamline Election Day processes, providing benefits such as:
- Faster voter check-ins and registrations
- Simplified absentee ballot processing
- Improved polling place flow and reduced errors
- Enhanced data quality and post-election reconciliation
How Badger Books Work
Prior to Election Day, municipal clerks securely load voter information into the Badger Book system. On Election Day, these devices perform three primary functions:
- Checking in voters
- Processing absentee ballots
- Facilitating Election Day voter registrations
After the election, participation data is uploaded into WisVote, the state’s secure voter registration system. This process ensures prompt and accurate voter participation updates in MyVote Wisconsin.
Security and Connectivity
The City of Sheboygan and WEC prioritize security in all election processes, and the Badger Book system is no exception:
- Badger Books are never connected to the Internet.
- Data is securely transferred to the devices via encrypted USB drives.
- Each device is password-protected, with individual credentials required for poll workers.
- Devices communicate only within the polling place through a secure, encrypted local network.
These robust security measures ensure that voter data remains protected throughout the election process.
Municipal Participation Is Optional
While Badger Books offer numerous advantages, their use is not mandatory. Municipalities can choose whether to implement the system based on their specific needs. WEC provides the Badger Book application and ongoing support free of charge, though municipalities are responsible for acquiring the necessary hardware.
Commitment to Fair and Secure Elections
The City of Sheboygan is committed to ensuring fair, efficient, and secure elections. The adoption of the Badger Book system reflects this commitment and represents a step forward in modernizing election administration while maintaining public trust.
For more information about Badger Books or to ask questions, please contact the Wisconsin Elections Commission at (608) 261-2028 or email epollbook@wi.gov. Additional resources are also available on the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s website: elections.wi.gov.