Senate GOP Extends Time for Lobbyists to Give Them Money, Rolls Back Voting Hours for Rest of Us

MADISON, Wis. — Despite bipartisan opposition, the Senate Republican majority today rammed through bills to extend the time period for lobbyists representing special interests to make campaign donations and restrict the hours of early voting on weekdays and outlaw early voting on weekends.

The following are the statements of One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross regarding the state Senate action:

“That Senate Republicans would pass bills to make it easier for special interest lobbyists to give them money while making it harder for average citizens to cast their vote is a damning indictment of their disdain for democracy.

“Today we saw the real voting fraud in Wisconsin exposed today – Republican politicians manipulating the rules on voting to give themselves an unfair partisan advantage.

“Legislation rolling back voter rights and making it harder for seniors, minorities and persons with disabilities to exercise their right to the franchise may make it to Gov. Scott Walker for his signature. But this fight won’t be over until a judge signs an order declaring unconstitutional this latest assault on our right to the franchise.”