Wisconsin's Primary Just the Beginning in Voting During Pandemic
Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 -- 9:15 AM
(AP) -Wisconsin’s chaotic primary may just be the beginning.Both major parties are preparing for a monthslong, state-by-state legal fight over how citizens can safely cast their ballots should the coronavirus outbreak persist through November’s election. The outcome of the court battles, expected to litigate mail-in voting rules, voter identification requirements and safe access to polls, may have a significant impact on how many people turn out to vote in hundreds of elections across the country between now and November, including the race for the White House. It will likely play out in key presidential battlegrounds amid an already roiling debate over voting rights and protecting access to the ballot.
“We have already seen more litigation, even before COVID, than ever before in 2020,” said Marc Elias, a prominent attorney who represents the Democratic Party on voting issues. “What COVID has done is added fuel to that fire.” Elias said he expects to file lawsuits within the coming weeks against states that Democrats argue haven’t taken adequate steps to protect voters and poll workers during the outbreak. The party is specifically pushing steps to make it simpler to request and return mail-in ballots.
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