Capitol Report
By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
It would appear that Republicans and Democrats have finally found some “common ground,” no matter how slight, with respect to the upcoming gubernatorial election on Nov. 4. Just last week, the top two Republican leaders in the legislature sued election officials over a redesign of state ballots.
In the lawsuit, campaign committees of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (RJuneau) are asking the court to order changes the format of ballot, which could require some clerks to reprint their ballots.
Democrats initially responded by calling the lawsuit an attempt to sow confusion among voters.
But a funny thing happened on the way to office, clerks from both parties, including at least three Democrats, have found the state’s model ballots confusing, showing that the concern over them aren’t limited to the Republicans who have sued over the issue. Consequently, clerks around Wisconsin from both parties have modified the model ballots for Nov. 4 elections.
The Government Accountability Board (GAB) has the ability to design ballots in its role as the chief elections agency for state.
Local clerks then insert the names of candidates in their area on the ballots and are responsible for printing them.
But, the GAB’s decision to roll out the redesign just seven week before the elections in November will only add to the massive voter confusion that’s expected.
Sadly, there is no political consensus, on the part of Republicans and Democrats, when it comes to the very contentious issue of voter ID.
It’s ironic that the two top Republican leaders in the Legislature brought suit over state’s ballot design, raising questions about the potential for voter confusion.
But, where was that same GOP “concern” about creating mayhem for voters and election officials regarding voter ID?
Let’s be real, Republicans real intent in all of this is ensuring the delivery of its political base on Nov. 4, while undermining the ability of its opposition to participate in the process.