Update: 4:57 p.m.
Wisconsin State Representative Jim Steineke, a Republican, tells WTMJ’s John Mercure that the Wisconsin Supreme Court has overturned Governor Tony Evers’ executive order to delay tomorrow’s election until June.
The vote was on a 4-2 margin. Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly, who is up for re-election this year, recused himself from the case.
Update: 1:34 p.m.
Watch a news conference with Governor Evers below.
Update: 1:22 p.m.
The Republican leaders of the state legislature. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, have issued a joint statement saying they are going to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Joint Statement with @SenFitzgerald: We are immediately challenging this executive order in the Wisconsin State Supreme Court. pic.twitter.com/76QItl3qxE
— Speaker Robin Vos (@SpeakerVos) April 6, 2020
Original story: 12:54 p.m.
The Governor of the State of Wisconsin has pushed back the in-person part of the 2020 Spring presidential primary and local general election, and is moving it back to June 6 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Via executive order, Governor Tony Evers is setting up a special session for Tuesday instead, asking the state legislature to act upon his request.
“Today, I signed an executive order suspending in-person voting for tomorrow’s election,” said Governor Evers in a statement.
“Frankly, there’s no good answer to this problem—I wish it were easy. I have been asking everyone to do their part to help keep our families, our neighbors, and our communities safe, and I had hoped that the Legislature would do its part—just as the rest of us are—to help keep people healthy and safe. But as municipalities are consolidating polling locations, and absent legislative or court action, I cannot in good conscience stand by and do nothing. The bottom line is that I have an obligation to keep people safe, and that’s why I signed this executive order today.”
All current ballots already submitted will count for June.
Evers called a special session for Saturday asking for the legislature to vote on moving the election back, but it was delayed until Monday, when both houses of the state legislature immediately ended the session without action.
