November 17, 2020

Working for you!

Restoring Confidence in Our Elections

The legislature has received thousands of messages containing concerns and complaints about how the Wisconsin presidential election was conducted. While I have a great deal of faith in our elections laws, procedures, and officials, I have a solemn duty to fully investigate these allegations and ensure that all our laws were upheld.

Everyone deserves to know that their vote counted and wasn’t made irrelevant by fraud or abuse.

The Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections, on which I serve, has the power and responsibility to investigate in detail how the election was carried out, bringing election officials and voters forward to testify (under subpoena if necessary) regarding any irregularities or illegal actions they witnessed. I am in full support of such a thorough investigation, as it is the only way we can assure the public that the election was or was not conducted in a fair and legal manner.

I expect this investigation to begin soon after November 17, the deadline for Wisconsin counties to complete their official vote counts and report them to the state. Under Wisconsin law, a recount may also be requested at this point by a campaign that came within one percent of winning the election.

In the future, there may also be a request by the legislature for a detailed programmatic audit of our state elections procedures by the non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau. I will be speaking with my colleagues on the Legislature’s Joint Audit Committee about the potential options for such an audit as we move forward with our committee investigation.

If you personally witnessed or experienced anything irregular or illegal throughout the elections process, please contact the legislature by emailing your name, address, and phone number to election.complaints@legis.wi.gov . While I appreciate any thoughts and concerns you wish to express to me about the election in general, please only use this email address if you believe you directly witnessed criminal or inappropriate behavior. Feel free to let us know if you'd be willing to testify before the committee on this topic, as well. Thank you.

Critial COVID Resources

COVID-19 is continuing to spread rampantly in our community. I’m doing everything I can to keep my immune system strong and protect myself and my loved ones.

Please use as much caution as you can to avoid the spread of this disease. Local testing sites and times are listed in the image above, with additional details if you click on the picture.

As always, please remember to follow these critical CDC guidelines:

• Stay home if you are sick

• Wear a facemask

• Avoid unnecessary travel

• Wash your hands

• Self-quarantine and get tested if you think you have contracted COVID-19

Happy Veterans Day

While at the Capitol this last week, I had the opportunity to recognize our awe inspiring veterans by taking a moment at the two permanent displays that recognize their service. In our Capitol rotunda, we always have the flags of each branch of the U.S. military displayed. We have also added a new display this year to recognize service members who are missing in action or prisoners of war.

Christmas Ornaments Needed

For a century, the people of Wisconsin have had a Christmas tree in the center of the Capitol with ornaments created by children throughout the state. While this year the Capitol is closed to the public and there will be no tree, school aged children are still encouraged to send a homemade ornament to the state so it can be sent on for display in a veteran’s home, nursing home, or hospital. The theme this year is “hope.”

Additional details and ornament guidelines can be found here.

“Hope” themed ornaments should be sent by Fri., Dec. 4, 2020, to:

Claire Franz
Wisconsin Department of Administration
Division of Facilities Development & Management
17 West Main Street, Suite 119
Madison, WI 53703

"Like" Representative Murphy's Facebook Page

I use Facebook to update constituents more frequently on my work in Madison and the 56th Assembly District. I look forward to using this as another way to connect with constituents and encourage you to follow it and watch for regular updates.