Bigamy is the act of marrying one person while being legally married to another. Polygamy is the practice or custom (often religious) of having more than one wife or husband at a time. Most states prohibit a party from having more than one marriage license at a time, and in most states bigamy is a crime.
In Wisconsin, bigamy is prohibited under state law. According to Wisconsin Statute 765.03, it is illegal for any person who has a husband or wife living to marry another person. Bigamy in Wisconsin is considered a Class I felony, which can result in a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to 3 years and 6 months, or both. Polygamy, which involves having more than one spouse simultaneously, is also not recognized or permitted under Wisconsin law, and engaging in polygamous marriage would fall under the prohibition against bigamy. The state's marriage laws require that individuals be legally free to marry, meaning that any previous marriage must be legally terminated through death, divorce, or annulment before a new marriage license can be issued.