Wisconsin's Republican Legislative Leaders Urge People to Volunteer to Work the Polls
Friday, April 3rd, 2020 -- 10:42 AM
(AP) -Republican legislative leaders on Wednesday urged people to volunteer at the polls on Tuesday to help Wisconsin’s presidential primary and spring election go off as smoothly as possible.There’s a severe shortage of poll workers across the state because of the coronavirus outbreak, which led Gov. Tony Evers to call on the National Guard to assist staffing some polling sites. “It’s a creative way to help solve the problem,” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said of tapping the National Guard. “If the National Guard does not have other duties making sure our communities are safe, I certainly support using them.” Vos said both he and his wife planned to volunteer at the polls. He said he was bringing hand sanitizer and felt safe being there. “If you are bored at home and sick of watching Netflix, volunteer and go work at the polls,” Vos said.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald credited local election clerks and mayors with being resourceful in finding ways to manage a reduction in workers. He cited the record-high number of absentee ballot requests, over 1 million as of Wednesday, as evidence that people are getting the message not to vote in person. “I think we are up to the task and it sounds like it’s going to get done,” Fitzgerald said.
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