In a move to overhaul the election process, Wisconsin’s Assembly legislators have passed several Republican-sponsored bills, with one significant change being the elimination of central count locations for absentee ballots. These legislative changes, however, come without the inclusion of a previously popular bipartisan proposal to start processing absentee ballots the day before elections, known as “Monday processing.”
Despite support for Monday processing from some Republican lawmakers, such as Rep. Scott Krug, R-Rome, there wasn’t enough backing within the GOP ranks to make it part of the approved measures. Instead, the passed bill focuses on other aspects of absentee voting, such as requiring drop boxes for absentee ballots to be placed in permanent structures rather than temporary setups. Additionally, election clerks must return improperly completed ballots to voters, and election officials are to notify voters via text message when their absentee ballot applications are received.
These recent developments have faced criticism from Democrat lawmakers. Rep. Lee Snodgrass, D-Appleton, expressed disappointment in Krug, despite previously commending his work on the Assembly elections committee, for not advancing the Monday processing bill. Krug, defending the current provisions, stated, “I do think that a Monday process would benefit the state of Wisconsin. I think we can figure out how to get there. We’re not there right now.”
Other Legislative Changes
Among other measures, lawmakers approved a bill stipulating that individuals involved in recall efforts or seeking ballot access must reside in Wisconsin. This stipulation comes in response to past unsuccessful attempts to recall Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, which he claimed were led by external activists. Another legislative proposal requires the Wisconsin Elections Commission to self-investigate if accused of breaching the federal Help America Vote Act. This change follows a state Supreme Court decision that the commission cannot adjudicate complaints against itself.
Further election-related bills passed on Wednesday include:
- Expanding the definition of “aggrieved” regarding voter complaints against election officials.
- Mandating that ballot questions and constitutional amendments be explained using legislatively approved language, with information posted at polling places, included with absentee ballots, and published online.
- Setting new deadlines for certifying presidential election results.
- Criminalizing interference with election observers by election workers.
