Will No One Have the Courage and Good Sense to Postpone the Spring General Election?
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan March 31, 2020
From the day I first decided to run for office, I have believed that one of the highest tasks set before an elected official is the protection of the public. I have tried to do this by listening, studying, and making the best decisions I could.
I also have always prided myself on telling people the truth – pleasant or otherwise.
The unpleasant truth we all now face is that the Spring General Election, still unwisely set for April 7, cannot be conducted safely.
The polling center idea strikes me as madness at a time of pandemic. Efficient under normal circumstances, this can only be an invitation to spread a disease that has already sickened and killed too many. Moreover, our poll workers will have to be supplied with scarce personal protective equipment that would be better used by our first responders and other front-line personnel.
And absentee balloting is no proper substitute for in-person voting. Leaving to the side the local and even state and federal races on the ballot, there are significant policy questions being put that cannot be properly decided by what will be a rump electorate.
It is a great pity that our politics have so devolved that the Governor and the Legislature cannot resolve this matter in the public interest. At times like these I am very glad that I serve in a non-partisan office because neither party is doing the public any favors. I would ask those responsible to see reason on this matter before a cloud of illegitimacy is hung over all the results of this election and even more harm is done to the health of the public.
More about the 2020 Spring Primary
- Why Don Natzke Couldn’t Vote - Enjoyiana Nururdin - Aug 9th, 2020
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report highlights public health measures taken by the Milwaukee Health and Fire Departments, Department of Administration, Election Commission, and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Aug 4th, 2020
- CDC Says Election Did Not Cause COVID-19 Spike - Erik Gunn - Aug 4th, 2020
- Pandemic Reduced Black Vote, Study Finds - Dee J. Hall - Jun 25th, 2020
- Did April Election Hike COVID-19 Cases? - Alana Watson - May 20th, 2020
- Elections Commission Notes ‘Lessons Learned’ - Henry Redman - May 19th, 2020
- Wisconsin Elections News: WEC Releases Analysis of Absentee Voting in April 7 Spring Election - Wisconsin Elections Commission - May 18th, 2020
- Election’s Impact on County’s COVID-19 Cases Unclear - Jeramey Jannene - May 6th, 2020
- Why State’s Voting By Mail Was Chaotic - Daniel C. Vock - May 4th, 2020
- At Least 40 COVID-19 Cases Tied to Election in Milwaukee - Graham Kilmer - Apr 24th, 2020
Read more about 2020 Spring Primary here
More about the Coronavirus Pandemic
- DHS Updates COVID-19 Illness After Vaccination Page to Include Data by Booster Dose Status - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - May 26th, 2022
- WI Health Department Urges Booster Shots for Ages 5 to 11 - Erik Gunn - May 24th, 2022
- DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses to Everyone 5 and Older - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - May 23rd, 2022
- MKE County: COVID-19 Cases Rising Again - Graham Kilmer - May 20th, 2022
- City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - May 20th, 2022
- City of Milwaukee Mask Advisory - City of Milwaukee Health Department - May 20th, 2022
- State’s COVID-19 Cases Up 66% in May - Erik Gunn - May 17th, 2022
- City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update - City of Milwaukee Health Department - May 13th, 2022
- DHS Announces the Moving Forward Together Grant Program to Support Health Equity Efforts in COVID-19 Vaccinations - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - May 12th, 2022
- City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update - City of Milwaukee Health Department - May 6th, 2022
Read more about Coronavirus Pandemic here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Ald. Bob Donovan
Will No One Have the Courage and Good Sense to Postpone the Spring General Election?
Mar 31st, 2020 by Ald. Bob DonovanStatement from Alderman Bob Donovan March 31, 2020
In the Stand-Off Between Mayor Barrett and Chief Morales, Residents are the Real Losers
Mar 9th, 2020 by Ald. Bob DonovanStatement from Alderman Bob Donovan - March 9, 2020
Red Light Cameras Are Not the Cure for What Ails Milwaukee
Feb 25th, 2020 by Ald. Bob DonovanA Long-Term Solution to Reckless Driving Will Require Leadership