Federal Lawsuit Seeks To Postpone Spring Election
Saturday, March 28th, 2020 -- 7:27 AM
A coalition of voting rights groups and labor unions have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to postpone Wisconsin’s spring election in light of the coronavirus crisis.According to the Associated Press, the coalition, which includes the League of Women Voters, Souls to the Polls, the American Federation of Teachers and the Service Employees International Union, filed the suit Thursday night in Madison. The lawsuit demands a judge delay the April 7 election at least until Gov. Tony Evers’ stay-at-home order expires. The order is scheduled to expire April 24 but Evers could extend it. The lawsuit also seeks to lift requirements that absentee voters include copies of proof-of-residency documents and photos IDs with ballot applications and prohibit election officials from enforcing in-person voting requirements until the stay-at-home order expires.
The lawsuit is the fourth federal action various groups have filed over the last week seeking to ease voting regulations, postpone the election or ban in-person voting to protect voters and poll workers from the virus. Evers has refused to order any changes to election procedure. Election protocols are part of state law and Evers’ lacks the ability to unilaterally alter statutes even during emergencies, according to the Legislature’s attorneys.
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