This week's survey

As stated last week, the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections will be holding a series of hearings in the coming weeks to oversee administration of the 2020 election and investigate fraud and/or voter irregularities.

Recently, many have called into question the results of the 2020 election, both in Wisconsin and nationally, as a result of the late-night addition of vote totals. 

The results of any election, including the 2020 presidential election, needs to be trusted by individuals on both sides of the political aisle. Election integrity and confidence in the accuracy of results are necessary to continue as the world's finest example in self-governance. 

Both Republicans and Democrats should welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that our election systems are secure. To the extent they were not secure, we should all want to determine what happened and remedy the situation. There are weeks of time between the election and certification of delegates to the Electoral College precisely for this reason. 

We want to make sure that the report election results for the State of Wisconsin are accurate and that every legal vote has been counted. 

My office has been inundated with communications asking that the legislature play a more active role in the process of investigating the election. The legislature's authority is limited by the State Constitution and statutes. The state legislature has the authority to:

• Determine the process for awarding electors. Wisconsin uses a "winner-take-all method," meaning that the winner of the popular vote has his or her delegates appointed to the Electoral College. 
• Give authority to municipalities to determine the process for conducting elections. 
• Make changes to the statutes to improve the processes for conducting elections.

Many constituents have contacted my office asking for an audit of ballots by the legislature. According to Wisconsin Legislative Council, state law does not provide for an "election audit" of all election results. State law does require the Wisconsin Elections Commission to conduct a post-election audit of a portion of electronic voting equipment used in Wisconsin. However, the audit is to verify the accuracy and performance of each type of electronic voting equipment (using a sample of at least 5 percent of all machines statewide. This is not an audit of every individual machine or of all vote results statewide. 

With regards to a recount, state law only permits a candidate who is within a 1 percent vote margin of the leading candidate to request a recount for that office. This is different than requesting a recount of a referendum question, which any voter can request. There is no ability for the legislature to independently request a recount. 

To best protect the integrity of our elections and ensure every legal vote counts, the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections needs specific and actionable information sent to the following email address: election.complaints@legis.wi.gov. 

I am interested in your feedback regarding the administration of elections in Wisconsin. Please, take a minute to answer this week's survey question regarding the administration of Wisconsin elections.

Click here for my survey

Survey results

Thank you to everyone who responded to last week's survey question regarding legislative solutions for combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. I appreciated your input, feedback, and suggestions for dealing with the public health emergency. If the legislature reconvenes, I will keep these ideas in mind, and share them with my colleagues. Your feedback will help me determine the best strategies for combatting this virus.

In total, 176 individuals responded to this week's survey question, with 69 percent supporting increased grants and loans to support businesses and industries impacted by the pandemic, and 65 percent of respondents in support of additional funding for personal protective equipment. Conversely, just four percent of respondents believed that additional action from the legislature is needed.

What is more, 104 respondents--many of whom answered the survey questions--also responded "other." Responses include:

"Implement a statewide mask mandate."

"Strictly adhere to CDC guidelines."

"Encouraging and deferring to local governments appears not to be working. The legislature needs to take action. 

"Do whatever is necessary to put an end to Evers' illegal emergency declarations...Oppose statewide mandates."

"Please work with Governor Evers to combat the virus."

"Get government out of our lives and protect individual liberty." 

Blue Books

Thank you to everyone who requested 2019-2021 State of Wisconsin Blue Books, last week. If you are interested in your very own copy of this almanac of Wisconsin politics, I have a few boxes remaining. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the 2019-2021 State of Wisconsin Blue Book, please click the following link.  

New social media account

As noted in last week's e-update, I have officially joined Parler. If you are a user of that platform, please consider following me at: @RepRobBrooks. Like we do with Facebook and Twitter, my staff and I will make it a priority to respond to your comments and questions in a timely fashion. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Stay up to date

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