Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Common Cause Wisconsin Supports Common Sense, Nonpartisan Proposals in Gov. Evers' Budget to Strengthen the Conduct of State Elections

For release: Tuesday - February 25, 2025



Image: Wisconsin State Seal (Wikipedia)


Measures Would Benefit All Wisconsin Voters and Boost Public Confidence in Our Elections

Wisconsin voters, no matter who they cast their ballot for or where they live in our state, can agree that our election process needs to be continually updated and strengthened. All Wisconsinites want to have confidence that they are participating in elections conducted without partisan bias or favoritism. Sufficient funding of election administration and maintaining adequate staff to carry out these important functions will keep our elections secure, free, and fair. The state agency that oversees elections, the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC), and the nearly 2,000 county and municipal clerks who conduct and administer Wisconsin elections need and deserve the financial support from the State of Wisconsin to be able to continue to do their vitally important jobs.

On February 18th, Gov. Tony Evers released his 2025-27 biennium budget proposal which reflects modest and sensible requests for much needed funding for election related items. These budget items include such areas as technology updates to our election systems with enhanced security measures, properly compensating election officials and staff including the hard-working citizens who step up as poll workers, replacing outdated election equipment, providing accessible accommodations for voters with special needs, and strengthening WEC’s ability to educate and provide full services to the voting public. In order for WEC to be able to function the way the Wisconsin Legislature intended, and in the manner voters of Wisconsin have every right to expect, additional financial resources are necessary to address these needs in order for public confidence in our elections to be elevated. Successful, accurate, and secure elections can occur only with sufficient funding to get the job done.

Common Cause Wisconsin is appreciative of the Governor's support for strengthening the conduct of elections in Wisconsin and encourages bipartisan legislature support for his proposals. We highlight these specific initiatives of the Governor’s budget in particular [1]:


Wisconsin Election Commission 

2.   Office of Election Transparency and Compliance: the addition of 10 WEC positions to meet the exponentially increased public demand for information and the vastly increased number of inquiries to WEC about election-related issues.  

5.   Funding for Information Technology: to update existing information systems and training to keep them current.

6.   Support for Ongoing Programs and Other Commission Costs: to maintain existing capacity to provide voter services.

17. Convert Expiring Existing Project Positions to Permanent Positions: again, to maintain current capacity to serve voters.

18. Standard Budget Adjustments: to keep pace with rising costs.


Local Election Administration

3. Grant Programs for Local Election Offices: modest support to better enable local election clerks to serve their voters, including to purchase electronic poll books.

4. Funding for Special Elections: to shift the burden of election administration costs from counties and municipalities to the state which calls for a special election that is within these counties and municipalities.


Department of Transportation

7. Automatic Voter Registration (AVR): Modest funding to enable the WEC to work with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to initiate automatic voter registration of all eligible electors at DMV sites. About half the states in the nation have adopted AVR with bipartisan support including our neighbors Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois.  


Additionally, in April 2024, the Wisconsin Legislature saw to it that outside private funding for election administration was banned. Now, the legislature has an opportunity to help fill the gap created by that measure and provide the necessary state funding of elections in Wisconsin. Now is the time for legislators of both parties to come together in support of the Governor's biennium budget proposal for the WEC and for election administration. This support will improve the conduct of elections in Wisconsin, and elevate public confidence in them and for our representative democracy.


Jay Heck 

Executive Director, Common Cause Wisconsin

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[1] 2025-27 Elections Commission Executive Budget

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Jay Heck
608/512-9363 (cell)

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703

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Monday, February 17, 2025

Vote Tomorrow February 18th!



For release: Monday - February 17, 2025


Image: Election Protection Hotline number 866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)

What You Need To Know To Have Your Vote Count


The next Wisconsin election is here! The 2025 Spring Primary Election Day is tomorrow - Tuesday, February 18, 2025. There is a statewide primary for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction as well as for many important local offices which may include making initial primary election choices for other judges (but not for the Wisconsin Supreme Court - that choice will be in the April 1st election), for mayor, city or town council, county supervisor, school board and many other elected officials and ballot questions. These positions have an enormous impact on our lives. Your vote and voice really matters.


Make sure that your voice is heard and that your vote is counted by knowing how you will cast your ballot for this election.

In-Person Voting at your Polling Location on Election Day

If you are planning to vote in person at the polls, read the information below so you are prepared when you show up to vote at your polling location. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday.


Your Ballot
You will find local and state races on your ballot. Find out what is on your ballot at MyVoteThese offices and the people who serve in these roles have a direct impact on your life.


Get to know who wants to represent you and which candidate best represents your values before you vote. Find candidate and ballot information from the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin at Vote411.org.


Polling Location
Polling places can change from election to election. To find out where to go to cast your ballot, visit the Find My Polling Place page on the MyVote Wisconsin website and type in your address.


Registration
You can register to vote on Election Day at your polling location. Being registered to vote means being registered at your current address. You need to have lived at your current address for at least 28 days prior to Election Day in order to register to vote in that election district or ward. You'll need to bring a proof of residence document to complete your registration (this document can be shown electronically - like on your phone or tablet).


Photo ID
You are required to show a photo ID before you vote. If you have a Wisconsin driver's license or a Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued ID card, then you’re all set. Selected other forms of ID work too, and it’s a good idea to check the official list of acceptable IDs at Bring It to The Ballot to make sure you have what you need.


What if you don't have an acceptable ID to vote tomorrow? You can ask for AND vote with a provisional ballot. But, for your ballot to be counted, you MUST either come back to your polling place with an acceptable form of ID before it closes at 8:00 PM on Election Day OR bring your ID to your municipal clerk's office by 4:00 PM the Friday after the election (Friday, February 21st). If you don't have an acceptable ID for voting and need help getting one, call or text the VoteRiders helpline 866-ID-2-VOTE for assistance.


College Students voting in Wisconsin
Are you a college student voting in Wisconsin? Or do you know a student who wants to vote in Wisconsin? Here is important information from the Common Cause Wisconsin website to share: Three Things College Students Need to Do To Vote in Wisconsin


Mail-in Absentee Ballot Return

If you still have a mail-in absentee ballot that was mailed to you and you have not returned it yet, be sure to personally hand return your completed ballot TODAY. Do NOT mail it! All ballots need to be received no later than 8pm tomorrow on Election Day. Your clerk and myvote.wi.gov will have information about where you can take your ballot, and because today is Presidents Day and a federal holiday, this may impact whether your clerk's office is open today - so check with your clerk before you go. Don't forget: The ballot envelope needs a witness signature and the complete address of the witness.


REMINDER: Voters with a disability who need assistance may have someone return their absentee ballot.


You can track your ballot through the official ballot tracker on MyVote. Don't see that your ballot was received? Contact your clerk for further information.


Have questions or need some assistance?

Help is just a call, text, or email away.

Voters with disabilities have the right to have ready access to any polling place. This includes the right to use an accessible voting machine, getting assistance marking and returning an absentee ballot, and voting curbside at a polling location. Call the Disability Rights Wisconsin Voter Hotline for assistance: 1-844-347-8683. Or email: info@disabilityvote.org. Additional online resources are also at the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition website.


If you experience problems at the polls or have questions, there is help. Call Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for support from nonpartisan election protection volunteers with any questions you have or to report problems.


Exercise your precious right and ability to determine where your state and local community is headed. Remember that each and every Wisconsin voter has an equal voice at the polling place. Vote!


On Wisconsin!

Jay Heck
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Jay Heck
608/512-9363 (cell)

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703

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Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Common Cause Wisconsin supports Rule on Election Observers



For release: Tuesday - February 4, 2025

Statement from Common Cause Wisconsin on Wisconsin Election Commission Rule on Election Observers, CR 24-032


TO: Assembly Members of the Committee on Campaigns and Elections
FROM: Jay Heck, Executive Director of Common Cause in Wisconsin
DATE: February 4, 2025
RE: Statement from Common Cause Wisconsin on Wisconsin Election Commission Rule on Election Observers, CR 24-032


Common Cause Wisconsin (CC/WI) supports the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) Rule on Election Observers, CR 24-032, which establishes much needed clear rules and standards for election observers. Founded in 1970, CC/WI is the state’s largest non-partisan citizens political reform advocacy organization with more than 9,000 members and activists in every county in Wisconsin.

Common Cause Wisconsin has recruited volunteer observers over many years and for several election cycles to be able to have our members observe and monitor the election process at polling locations throughout the state. Members of CC/WI have long been eager to have an opportunity to be part of Wisconsin Election Protection programs in many different capacities, but they have particularly emphasized the value and importance of being trained as nonpartisan election observers by the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin for Election Day. 

Common Cause Wisconsin was an active participating member of the WEC Election Observer Advisory Committee assisting with the development of the rule. Election observers need clear rules in order to carry out their tasks at polling locations. Having this rule in place will help ensure the safety of voters, observers, and election officials. The rule seeks to benefit observers but will also preserve and enhance access to the election process, and help improve transparency, security, and confidence in Wisconsin’s elections. The rule strikes a careful and important balance between the election officials being able to carry out their jobs, an observer’s access and ability to be able to view the voting process, and a voter's right to privacy and confidentiality while casting a ballot. 

The rule is also comprehensive and responsive to the many points of concern members of the advisory committee named specifically during the meetings. These areas include the use of recording equipment, how observers can interact with voters and election officials while in the polling place, respecting a voter’s right to privacy and the handling of confidential information, an observer’s role when working with Special Voting Deputies, the safety and authority of election officials and chief inspectors, and maintaining an open and transparent process that is observable. The rule ensures the basic needs of election observers are met, such as access to restrooms, access to the voting process without interfering with election officials and voters, and receiving disability-related accommodations.

Common Cause Wisconsin recognizes the challenging task the WEC staff faced in compiling public comments together with feedback of the advisory committee with various nonpartisan organizations and active political parties in the state who often work with election observers. The WEC staff and commissioners spent many hours facilitating the advisory committee, considering and incorporating outside input from individuals and organizations, and having honest and candid discussions about how to improve the role of the election observer. The commissioners should be commended for finding common ground embodied in the submitted rule, and completing the process which fulfills WEC’s obligation to promulgate rules under that statute. As a result, this rule reflects fairness with clear, applicable expectations of election observers.

Observers, voters, and election officials rely on clear information from the WEC and the Wisconsin legislature. Common Cause Wisconsin supports CR 24-032 - Rule on Election Observers as written, and requests that the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections vote to approve this rule to advance it to the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules pending the Senate Committee’s review and approval (Wis. Stat. 227.19(4)(e)). Establishing clear rules and standards for election observers across the state will help improve citizen confidence in the voting process and help observers in their important role of witnessing the election process.

 

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Jay Heck
608/512-9363 (cell)

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703

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