Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2024

CONTACT: press@securedemocracyusa.org

Wisconsin lawmakers fail to strengthen elections despite bipartisan momentum

'Monday processing' & ballot tracking bills would have improved voter confidence and election integrity

Madison, Wis. – On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Senate met for their final scheduled floor date of the regular 2024 legislative session. After the Assembly overwhelmingly approved legislation to allow absentee ballot pre-processing (AB 567) and ballot tracking by text notification (AB 38), the Senate failed to act on these bipartisan bills that would have improved voter confidence and election integrity ahead of the 2024 general election.

Statement from Secure Democracy USA Director of Advocacy Peter Skopec:

"Wisconsin lawmakers missed a tremendous opportunity to streamline election administration and improve voter confidence ahead of this pivotal 2024 general election. Bills to establish 'Monday processing' and bolster ballot tracking merited a vote in the Senate – Wisconsin voters deserve that much.

"We commend Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa), Rep. Lee Snodgrass (D-Appleton), Rep. David Steffen (R-Green Bay), Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton), and the bipartisan members of the Assembly Elections Committee for their work to strengthen Wisconsin elections this year. We urge lawmakers to make these popular, bipartisan election integrity efforts a priority at the next possible opportunity."

Background on Monday Processing & Ballot Tracking:

Wisconsin’s clerks from across the state explained that Monday processing could reduce the strain on local election officials, speed up election results, and help prevent the spread of misinformation. Thirty-nine states – from Alaska, to Texas, to Florida – currently allow pre-processing of absentee ballots. Meanwhile, recent polling shows that 89 percent of Wisconsin voters support receiving text messages about their absentee ballot status.

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Secure Democracy USA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization that works to build confidence in our elections and improve voter access across the United States. We educate policymakers and the public about what it takes to safeguard our voting systems. We use sophisticated survey and messaging research to inform our strategy and we collaborate with state leaders, election administrators, policy  experts, and allies to ensure that all eligible citizens have the freedom to vote how they choose.