Wisconsin Voter Protection Act Modernizes Voter Registration to Ensure Fair, Clean Elections

The state of Wisconsin has an extraordinary opportunity to protect Democracy and ensure more, not less voices, have a say in the future direction of our state.

Our self-governance requires adequate access to the polls for all eligible Wisconsinites ‘€“ no matter where they live in Wisconsin, where they serve the military on our behalf and whether they are a college student away from home for the first time, or a senior enjoying their golden years.The greatness of America is that on Election Day in voting booth each of our votes has equal weight, whether you are a business owner, a farmer, a factory worker, a student or a retiree. One person, one vote.

The state legislature is deliberating on a common sense package of electoral reform called the Wisconsin Voter Protection Act. Authored by Rep. Jeff Smith of Eau Claire and Sen. Spencer Coggs of Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Voter Protection Act will take our 19th century voter registration system and make it better serve our 21st century Wisconsin.

So many have fought so hard to make sure the right to vote is protected. We have an obligation as Americans to be ever-vigilant to guarantee our elections are fair and clean and every vote is counted.

The Wisconsin Voter Protection Act delivers on that promise by enhancing voter protections in Wisconsin, streamlining voter registration, serving military personnel and their families, and stopping voter intimidation.

The Wisconsin Voter Protection Act will strengthen our democracy by encouraging even more participation by the people of Wisconsin, as well as safeguard the integrity of our polling places and our ballot boxes.

It will greatly improve the voter registration process by allowing Wisconsinites to register to vote when they visit state agencies like the DMV, saving money for local municipalities by eliminating unnecessary paperwork and the burden of last-minute registrations for city clerks.

The Wisconsin Voter Protection Act will protect the rights of veterans and their families by making it easier for them to access absentee ballots and ensuring their votes are counted. Those who put their lives on the line to protect our democracy shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to cast a vote.

Just as important, the Wisconsin Voter Protection Act will help stop voter suppression efforts and make sure the hard-fought right to the franchise is denied no eligible Wisconsinite.

The Wisconsin Voter Protection Act will also eliminate any potential for voter fraud and includes deliberate protections of individual voter privacy.

Our shared Democracy is better served by an engaged and enthusiastic electorate. As a diverse population with many priorities, we may not always agree on the day’€™s issues. But all of our voices deserve a say in the direction of this state.

Making our elections as accessible to as many eligible and legal voters as possible is essential to realizing our shared American Dream. The Wisconsin Voter Protection Act is a decisive step towards achieving that goal.