Evers calls for special session delaying election; all ballots by mail

Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order Friday calling the Legislature to meet in special session to delay the spring election and handle all ballots by mail.

The governor wants the Legislature to pass a bill to allow for an all-mail election, according to a release from Ever's office.

The governor also said the bill should include a measure to send a ballot to every Wisconsinite by May 19 and extend the date by which votes can be received to May 26.

This is the first time the governor called to change the date of the election. It comes after he received backlash from his own party for not delaying the spring primary given the coronavirus pandemic.

The special session would begin tomorrow at 4 p.m.

The governor said he called and left messages for Republican leaders, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) but hasn't heard back whether or not they support his proposals.

When asked why the governor decided to move the election date now, and not weeks ago, Evers said he did, but he did not call to move the date.

The governor weeks ago only called on legislative leaders to shift to an all-mail election.

“Certainly we haven’t experienced anything like this in my lifetime or the legislative leaders so I believe the time is now, the time is to lead," said Evers.

Both GOP leaders said they want to hold in-person voting regardless of concerns over the safety of poll workers, arguing election officials will supply sanitation supplies and practice social distancing.

"I understand they’ve rejected a similar proposal in the past but this is different we have a surge going on, the virus sets a time not me, Robin Vos or Scott Fitzgerald," said Evers.

Evers executive order comes after the Wisconsin Election Commission said they have ashortage of poll workers, 7,000 statewide.

To read more go to WKOW https://wkow.com/2020/04/03/evers-calls-for-special-session-delaying-election-handle-all-ballots-by-mail/

Photo: WKO


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