Voting Bills Adversely Impact People with Disabilities

[MADISON, Wis] – The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin opposes multiple bills included in the upcoming State Assembly Calendar for the discriminatory impact they would have on Wisconsin voters with disabilities, older adults and voters of color.

“The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin believes voting is a fundamental citizen right that must be guaranteed and protected,” said Debra Cronmiller, LWVWI executive director. “The measures in many of the Assembly bills only create more barriers to voting, and to that end, we oppose Assembly Bills 192, 201, 179 and 198.”

While amendments have slightly improved some of the voting bills, the proposed legislation will create new barriers that may leave behind many voters with disabilities.  Disability advocates remain available and willing to work with policy makers to share how these bills would negatively impact voters with disabilities and to offer recommendations to address accessibility barriers for people with disabilities and older adults to improve their full participation in the electoral process.

A significant number of Wisconsin voters have a disability. As state policy makers consider changes to voting laws, they must proceed with caution to avoid creating new barriers that could impact the voting rights of hundreds of thousands of state residents with a disability, including disabilities acquired through aging. We encourage legislators to slow the process down and work with us to craft legislation supporting accessible and inclusive elections.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.