WISCONSIN — With severe weather looming across Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Elections Commission said it is asking election officials to be prepared for contingency plans.

WEC said Wisconsin does not have any laws that dictate weather contingencies when it comes to elections. However, the WEC said it requires weather contingency plans to be drafted “as part of some federal subgrants.” The WEC does provide templates for these contingency plans, which include moving polling places or securing personnel and materials in an emergency.

The WEC will monitor weather on Election Day with Wisconsin Emergency Management.

Should a polling place be closed for a period of time because of an emergency, the WEC said a jurisdiction can petition the court to extend polling hours. The WEC said it has specific templates for those instances.

However, after the polls close and tabulation is underway, “statutes do not allow for an adjournment and reconvening, even in an emergency.” WEC said should an emergency arise, poll workers should execute emergency plans in order to secure personnel and materials and/or relocate, but not adjourn.

“To ensure safety and security during inclement weather, we instruct clerks to monitor and be in communication with local law enforcement, emergency responders and Chief Election Inspectors," Riley Vetterkind, WEC public information officer, said.

The WEC outlined the following recommendations about severe weather to clerks and poll workers in contingency plan trainings and templates: