Wisconsin meeting minutes requirements for local government boards
Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law requires the motions and roll-call votes of each meeting to be recorded, preserved and open to public inspection (Wis. Stat. § 19.88(3)). Any member may require a recorded vote of each member, and secret ballots are not allowed except to elect officers.
Last updated October 11, 2026. General information, not legal advice; confirm with your solicitor.
| Law | Open Meetings Law, Wis. Stat. §§ 19.81–19.98 |
|---|---|
| Required record (19.88(3)) | Motions and roll-call votes of each meeting, recorded, preserved and open to inspection |
| Deadline | No statutory deadline; record as soon as practicable |
| Closed session (19.85(1)) | Convene in open session, announce the nature of the business and the specific exemption, and pass a motion with each member’s vote recorded |
| Who keeps town minutes | The town clerk keeps a full record of the town board’s proceedings |
| Recordings (19.21(7)) | A recording made to prepare minutes may be destroyed no sooner than 90 days after the minutes are approved and published |
Practical guidance
- Minutes as such are not mandated by the Open Meetings Law, but motions and votes must be recorded; most towns keep full minutes.
- Record the exemption cited for any closed session and each member’s vote on the motion to convene in closed session.
Sources
Related: recording roll-call votes, free minutes templates.
Minutes in Wisconsin format, drafted from your recording.
Upload a recording of your last meeting and get draft minutes that follow these requirements. Free, no credit card.