Wisconsin’s laws are not adequate to protect voters with disabilities

(MADISON)—Today, Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) issued the following statement after the Wisconsin Elections Commission recently implied that voters are required to put their absentee ballots in the mail themselves:

“Republicans in Wisconsin need to take a deep look within themselves and ask whether they are acting based on moral and reasonable values. The actions that they are taking are making it more confusing and restrictive for Wisconsinites with disabilities to exercise their fundamental right to vote.

“This is wrong.

“Disabled voters see what’s happening in our state, and they are speaking directly to us to let us know what their needs are, but the Republican majority is not interested in protecting their right to vote. Take a moment to read “Our Voices, Our Votes” from Disability Rights Wisconsin, in which voters provide insight into their specific circumstances and ask yourself, ‘What’s the right thing to do?’

“I am thankful that our federal government had the wisdom in the past to pass the Voting Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, because without those, many of our neighbors would be completely disenfranchised.”

If you require assistance when casting your ballot and are unsure where your rights stand, please reach out to Disability Rights Wisconsin’s voter helpline at 844-347-8683 or info@disabiliyvote.org

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