President Johnson affirms right to vote for all eligible citizens
Statement of Common Council President Cavalier Johnson November 23, 2021
During today’s meeting of the Common Council, the Council unanimously passed a file I introduced to reaffirm our community’s commitment that every citizen has the right to vote.
In 2020, the Wisconsin Elections Commission issued common-sense solutions to an unprecedented public health crisis that was supported by Democrat and Republican commissioners alike. As such, I am calling on the State Legislature to work with the Wisconsin Elections Commission to enact legislation protecting the right of nursing home residents to vote even during times of disruption.
The right to vote is sacred and represents the backbone of our democracy. As such, it should be protected in all circumstances. We must work collaboratively in a timely fashion to make sure every eligible citizen, regardless of age, health status or confinement has the ability to vote and have their voice heard.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
Thanks to the President of the Milwaukee Common Council for his press release.
Of course…. the citizenry should have the right to vote. I only hope this is not an otiose statement.
The President should start with assuring the “Citizens of Milwaukee” that their franchise is involate. In April,2020, it was not.
The citizens of Milwaukee continue to await the investigation results as to the illegal closure of the Midtown Early-voting site for the 2020 spring election. Only the “governing body” of the jurisdiction ( i.e. the Milwaukee Common Council) can close, or open, voting sites. If the Mayor, or Election Director, or the Health Commissioner shut down the Midtown site for political gain, this is illegal. Milwaukee’s Common Council never took action to close Midtown.
The city’s Judiciary and Legislation Committee has oversight of elections. In March 2020, Alderman Borkowski and Alderman Chevy Johnson presided as Chair and Vice-chair, respectively. Alderman Hamilton was President of the Council. We need the investigation results to be made public. Why was the voting site on the North side closed and the Downtown site enhanced? Obviously, results affected.
President Johnson’s statement calls for “action.” I agree!
Let us determine what happened in the highly suspect 2020 Spring Election. With the close races for Comptroller and County Executive and local races, we cannot allow this disenfranchisement of certain disadvantaged communities to occur again, or ever.
Without knowing what happened, City Hall can manipulate the next election as well.
Please ACT, Mr. President.