Wisconsin governor suspends in-person voting; Republicans challenge order
From WWW.WBAY.COM
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has suspended in-person voting just hours before residents were expected to go to the polls and vote in the April 7 presidential primary.
The move is in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Wisconsin Republicans are challenging the governor's order in the state's high court, calling it unconstitutional.
The governor's order delays in-person voting until June 9. The governor has directed the State Legislature to meet in a special session Tuesday to address the date. If they choose not to change the new date, voting will go forward on June 9.
“Today, I signed an executive order suspending in-person voting for tomorrow’s election. Frankly, there’s no good answer to this problem—I wish it were easy. I have been asking everyone to do their part to help keep our families, our neighbors, and our communities safe, and I had hoped that the Legislature would do its part—just as the rest of us are—to help keep people healthy and safe,” said Gov. Evers. “But as municipalities are consolidating polling locations, and absent legislative or court action, I cannot in good conscience stand by and do nothing. The bottom line is that I have an obligation to keep people safe, and that’s why I signed this executive order today.”
The governor's administration says absentee ballots cast early will remain valid and be counted with the June 9 in-person totals.
State Republican leaders say they are challenging the governor's order in the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
“The clerks of this state should stand ready to proceed with the election," reads a statement from Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald. "The governor’s executive order is clearly an unconstitutional overreach."
The statement continues, “This is another last minute flip-flop from the governor on the April 7th election. The governor himself has repeatedly acknowledged he can’t move the election. Just last week a federal judge said he did not have the power to cancel the election and Governor Evers doesn’t either. Governor Evers can’t unilaterally run the state.”
Gov Evers ... (Read more)
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Submitted 1481 days ago
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