Risser Statement on Federal Court Action on Early Voting
Court’s Decision Helps Make Voting Accessible for All Wisconsin Citizens
State Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) praised the decision by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to refuse to stay a lower court’s ruling which blocked Republican-led efforts to restrict the hours and days a municipality can offer early voting or in-person absentee voting.
“I am very pleased and encouraged that the appeals court, without comment, denied the state Attorney General’s request to stay a lower court’s ruling which struck down GOP-imposed laws that eliminated weekend in-person absentee voting, placed limits on when early voting can begin and what hours early voting can occur.” Risser said. “The court’s decision supports Wisconsin’s tradition of promoting high voter participation and making voting accessible to all of its citizens.”
The City of Madison will begin offering in-person absentee voting on September 26th, six weeks prior to the November 8th general election. The clerk’s office will also be open for weekend voting in later October and early November.
“The days and hours a municipality can offer in-person absentee voting should not be based on what’s best for the Republican Party, but what’s best for each community and its local residents.” Risser concluded.
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