I voted sticker. MWC file photo
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Wisconsin election results could start to come in earlier than they are now. That’s the goal of new legislation being introduced by State Rep. Scott Krug, R-Rome.
It would allow municipalities to begin processing absentee ballots earlier.
Northeast Wisconsin clerks say this could be a big help.
“I think it certainly provides election officials with another option, it certainly provides further opportunities to get the work done more quickly and more relief in that way,” Menasha city clerk Kaija Snyder said.
The bill would allow election staff to begin processing absentee ballots the day before an election, that does not include counting or tabulating.
Currently, state law says clerks may not begin processing absentee ballots until polls open on election day.
Processing includes unsealing envelopes, signature verification and other small things.
“It would really just be more menial tasks and getting everything straightened out ahead of time so that some of those more basic requirements are taken care of,” Snyder said.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Kimberly village clerk/treasurer Jennifer Weyenberg said. “The absentee ballots are definitely — they’re time-consuming, and that can be a challenge when you’re asked to work through them quickly.”
Weyenberg said early processing will help, but thinks municipalities should be given even more time instead of just one extra day.
In the November election, of the 4,500 ballots counted in Kimberly, about 3,000 of them were absentee.
“If we could, you could do it anytime during that two-week window, because that day before can also be very busy, trying to get your polling place set up, you’re dealing with last-minute things,” Weyenberg said.
Another aspect of the proposed bill is adding extra security measures to ballot drop boxes— including 24-hour live-streamed surveillance and having two poll workers empty it. On top of that, a police officer would have to supervise those two poll workers.
Both Weyenberg and Snyder agree this part of the bill would put a strain on many municipalities because of cost and staffing.
“I think it would be an issue. I understand the importance of it and what they’re trying to accomplish, the practicality of having all of those security measures in place would be tough,” Weyenberg said.
Britt Cudaback, communications director for Gov. Tony Evers’ office, said Evers has not closely reviewed Krug’s bill.
“The governor’s been clear that he’s not going to approve measures that make it harder for eligible Wisconsinites to cast their ballot or that undermine and sow distrust in our fair and secure elections,” she wrote.
“As you know, Gov. Evers has spent years pushing the Legislature to pass a bill allowing Monday ballot processing, so it’s disappointing Republicans have decided not to pass a clean bill with bipartisan support, instead packing a number of other election reforms into the legislation.”
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