WI GOP Blasts Evers Over Ballot Mass-Mailing Amid Coronavirus

MADISON, WI — Gov. Tony Evers is receiving pushback after calling on Republican lawmakers Friday to support mailing absentee ballots to all registered voters as a way to carry out the April 7 election in light of the health risks posed by the new coronavirus public health emergency.

“I don’t care who’s running for office or what’s on the ballot. Everyone should have access to a ballot,” he said. “I’m hoping the Legislature will act swiftly to send absentee ballots to every registered voter in Wisconsin. Our local election clerks are doing their best, but they need help. The legislature needs to step up.”

Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters. Don’t miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions.

Democrats Like Idea

The governor’s political allies sounded support for his call for a mass-mailing of ballots, citing public health concerns.

State Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee), a candidate for the Milwaukee County executive position, said he supports the governor’s call for absentee ballot mailings and special considerations.

“I applaud Gov. Evers for calling for changes that will make it easier for each of our neighbors to vote in the April 7 election and ensure equal access to the ballot,” Larson said.

“This is the best way to conduct a safe, timely election that still allows all eligible voters the chance to cast a ballot without fear of risking their health,” said state Rep. Bob Wirch (D-Somers). “Republican leadership has been vocal about not wanting to delay the election, so I hope they will agree that this is the best way forward and reconvene the Legislature as soon as possible to make this happen.”

When members of the GOP-controlled state Legislature got wind of the request, they quickly rejected it.

GOP Blasts Evers

Republican lawmakers pilloried Evers on the request, citing a number of concerns. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) called it “a statewide invitation for voter fraud,” among other things. Vos also cited a partisan-based struggle over the fate of nearly 200,000 registered voters that took place in 2019 and early this year.

“This last-minute scheme of a mail-in ballot election is logistically impossible and incredibly flawed. In fact, other states say it’s impossible to implement, especially two weeks before the election with countless staffing, postal and safety considerations; our local clerks are already running out of ballots and supplies,” Vos said. “The governor’s idea is merely a statewide invitation for voter fraud. More than 100,000 votes have already been cast, and 600,000 additional absentee ballots have been sent out, meaning that a large number of voters could receive two ballots. And because the voter rolls are not updated, ballots would go to thousands of people who may have moved. It was careless and reckless for Governor Evers to even make this suggestion.”

Click Here: Cardiff Blues Store

State Sen. Alberta Darling, who represents Wisconsin’s 8th District, said the governor’s request comes just too late.

“The April 7 election is scheduled to go on as planned. There is simply no way the state can print that many ballots, ship them off to voters — including thousands of addresses that are questionable, and return them in time for the election,” Darling wrote. “I thank our clerks who are doing a great job to make sure early voting can be done in a safe way. Instead of delivering a workable plan at a critical time, the governor is playing politics and creating more and more confusion.”

Evers: “We’re Gonna Do It”

When questioned by one reporter how he thinks Wisconsin could “pull this off” regarding the election, Evers was direct.

“It ain’t gonna be easy, but we’re gonna do it,” he said Friday.

Evers said the state has hundreds of races across the state that need the election so decision-makers can be in position during this public health emergency.

“Frankly,” he said, “the last thing we need is to have all those positions vacant.”