As the novel coronavirus shutters nearly every aspect of American society, 10 mayors in Wisconsin are pushing for the pandemic to shut down one more: in-person voting.
A new letter, signed by the mayors who represent some of the state's largest cities including Milwaukee and Madison, urges Wisconsin's top health official to invoke emergency powers tofor Tuesday's election, which includes the presidential primary and general elections for state Supreme Court and a slew of local races.
"We believe it would be irresponsible and contrary to public health to conduct in-person voting throughout the state at the very time this disease is spreading rapidly," the mayors wrote.Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett speaks during a press conference, Feb. 27, 2020, in Milwaukee.The mayors, who say they represent 1.
While the letter, which comes as bipartisan negotiations over the best path forward for the election have stalled, applauds Democratic Gov. Tony Evers for his"leadership" in declaring a state of emergency, the local leaders scold the GOP-controlled legislature for their"inexcusable refusal to act." They are asking the state Department of Health Services to take a similar step to the one Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, used last monthWhile Wisconsin appears determined to go it alone by moving forward with an in-person election, several other states postponed their primaries and adjusted voting mechanisms to make the process safer amid the threat of COVID-19 in the last week.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wisconsin set to hold in-person voting in presidential primaryWisconsin is set to hold in-person voting next week after the state's legislature on Saturday declined to take up an effort delaying the presidential primary due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more »
Wisconsin mayors implore top health official to 'step up' and shut down primaryMayors from some of the most populous cities in Wisconsin are calling on the state’s top health official to shut down in-person voting at Tuesday’s primary
Read more »
Wisconsin moves forward with in-person elections despite coronavirus stay at home orderThe state has called in National Guard troops to staff polling sites, as thousands of workers are expected to not show up because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Read more »
Wisconsin GOP appeals to Supreme Court on extended votingWisconsin Republicans have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block extended absentee voting in Tuesday's primary, despite public health fears about in-person voting amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more »
Wisconsin Republicans reject governor’s move to postpone Tuesday electionWisconsin stands apart from other states in trying to hold its April election date even though Gov. Tony Evers issued a statewide stay-at-home order.
Read more »
Wisconsin's primary to go forward Tuesday even as coronavirus all but shutters the U.S.Wisconsin’s Republican-led legislature refused to delay Tuesday's primary election, formally rejecting a call from the state's Democratic governor to halt in-person voting amid the coronavirus pandemic
Read more »