Proposed GOP election bills a fast-track to voter suppression

Madison, WI – This week, GOP legislators put forward 8 election-related bills designed to suppress the vote and give the Republican-controlled body more control over elections administration in Wisconsin. In a rush to get them to the Governor’s desk before campaign season, they gave legislators just 1 day or less to sign on. There’s no two ways about it, these bills are a fast-track to voter suppression.

In no uncertain terms, these 8 bills would increase the burden on municipal clerks while denying them the resources they would need to comply. They would leave in place the bipartisan Elections Commission Republicans created under Governor Walker, but would weaken its authority to the point where it would become a de facto arm of the legislative majority.

Finally, and most concerning to those who care about our democracy, these bills would make it more difficult to vote and have your vote counted, which frankly has been a primary goal of Republicans across the country for years now.

Republicans know the bills they’re rushing through the legislature this week stand no chance of becoming law as long as Tony Evers is Governor, but they’re passing them anyway to send a message to their base that whether through winning the Governorship or a gerrymandered two-thirds majority in the legislature this November, they will do everything in their power to ensure that those they deem undesirable – young people, people of color, and people in large cities – will have a harder time voting and having their vote counted.

That should worry us all as Americans, whatever your political affiliation.

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.