GOP ‘Playing with Fire’ Using Lame Duck to Rig Elections

MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Institute Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements on reported efforts by legislative Republicans to use a “lame duck” session to rig the rules on voting to give themselves unfair advantages in elections. As a result of the federal lawsuit One Wisconsin Institute, et. al. v. Thomsen et. al. the state remains under a court order to reform the process by which legal voters who lack documents to get a voter ID are handled so that they are not disenfranchised. One Wisconsin Institute was represented in the case by Perkins Coie LLP.

“Robin Vos, Scott Fitzgerald and Republicans in the legislature are playing with fire.

“We and our legal counsel will be vigilant in monitoring what the Republicans attempt to do with state laws on voting in this lame duck session.

“We will do whatever is necessary to ensure no legal Wisconsin voters are unfairly denied their right to vote because Republicans have rigged the rules time and again to try to win elections.

“Restrictions Republicans imposed on early voting were thrown out because they were found to intentionally discriminate against voters on the basis of race. Republicans were also found to be unconstitutionally administering a voter ID law federal Judge James Peterson declared was, ‘… a cure worse than the disease.’

“To the rank and file Republican legislators, you still have the chance to do the right thing and listen to the message voters sent in November that it’s time stop the tantrums, put away the swords and come together to solve problems.”