Rep. Neylon introduces bill in Wisconsin Assembly to expand election complaint appeals

The new bill authored by State Rep. Adam Neylon seeks to broaden the ability of complainants to appeal decisions made by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “the right of appeal for complainants aggrieved by decisions of the Elections Commission concerning the conduct of election officials”.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the statutes to allow complainants to appeal decisions made by the Wisconsin Elections Commission regardless of whether they have suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest. It stipulates that a complainant is considered aggrieved for the purpose of appeal if the commission dismisses their complaint or fails to grant the relief requested. The appeal must be filed in the circuit court of the county where the election official conducts business or where the complainant resides, within 30 days after the commission issues its order. The bill ensures complainants have the right to appeal purely based on the outcome of their complaint with the Elections Commission.

The bill was co-authored by Senator Van H. Wanggaard (Republican-21st District), Representative Scott Allen (Republican-82nd District), Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District) and Senator Chris Kapenga (Republican-33rd District), along eight other co-sponsors.

Adam Neylon has authored or co-authored another 12 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Neylon graduated from Carroll University in 2008 with a BA.

Neylon, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state’s 15th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Dave Maxey.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.