Numerous individuals and groups, from Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett to the City of Green Bay, are asking for the State of Wisconsin to approve changes to the current structure and date of the April 7 presidential primary and local general election – either switching to all-mail balloting or a later date.
Speaker Robin Vos and State Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, both Republicans, shared their disagreement with large-level changes in the wake of coronavirus beyond local election officials making local decisions.
“We are way too far in with early voting starting on March 12 to make that proclamation that (all by-mail voting is) the only way to vote on April 7.” said Fitzgerald, citing Mayor Barrett’s request.
Governor Evers has expressed his desire to keep the election day, but has considered the possibility of by-mail only to keep voters and poll workers safe from potential opportunity to contract COVID-19 while in close quarters at polling places.
“We cannot have people questioning the election,” said Vos.
“To somehow throw this together in a matter of several weeks will undermine the confidence of the public.”
Green Bay has even attempted to file a law suit to force the delay of the election.
Watch below as Speaker Robin Vos and Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald give their thought on government response to the COVID-19 situation, including a possible election change and special session for COVID-19-related legislation: