Current law generally requires those serving as election officials to reside in the municipality or ward in which they’re working. The bill would expand that to residents of the county.

Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, complained the bill made life more difficult for local election officials.

"We should allow municipal clerks to choose the best poll workers … and not be forcing them to take partisan poll workers who are affiliated with one of the political parties from outside their municipality," Lassa said.

Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, said the legislation was prompted by the 2012 recall election in Racine. She said local officials were short on poll workers and hired some from a temp agency, which she said led to shortcomings in that election such as unsealed ballot bags that were found when the race went to a recount.

Her comments prompted a response from Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine, who won that election. He denounced the "myth" that Republicans have perpetuated about his race and said there is a "suppression effort" from those outside a community to dictate how elections are run.

Sens. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, and Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, missed the vote.