SerpApi.Org
(The Center Square) – The Wisconsin Democratic Party is asking the Wisconsin Election Commission to retract its guidance against spoiling absentee ballots and allowing voters to recast their vote after last week’s upheaval in the Democratic race for governor.
The commission had asked that the practice not be allowed but the party is arguing that voters should be able to replace their ballots after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out of the race and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley reentered with an endorsement from Gov. Tony Evers.
The primary is set for Aug. 11.
“Allowing voters to spoil and recast their ballots was standard practice in Wisconsin prior to attempts by Republicans to file frivolous lawsuits to muddy the waters,” WisDems Chairman Devin Remiker said in a statement. “The Wisconsin Election Commission recently issued guidance that advises clerks not to allow voters to request a new ballot. We believe that guidance was issued improperly, and after consulting with each of our Democratic candidate campaigns for governor, WisDems will be submitting a letter to formally ask the WEC to retract this guidance.”
Congressman Tom Tiffany remains the favorite to be the Republican nominee for governor in his race with Andy Manske.
"Rather than follow the rules, the Wisconsin Democrat Party is asking WEC to change them to bail out its own party," the Wisconsin GOP wrote in response to the Democrats' request. "Their primary is already chaotic enough. Election laws should not be changed to rescue one party from the consequences of its own actions."
The Democratic candidates include Crowley, Rep. Francesca Hong, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, state Sen. Kelda Roys and Joel Brennan.
“If the WEC does not act immediately and retract this guidance, some voters will not be able to truly participate in our Democratic primary process,” Remiker said. “While we will remain neutral in all partisan primaries through August 11th, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin will always fight to advance and defend our democracy and to ensure everybody has the opportunity to fully participate in selecting the nominee we will unite around on August 12th.”
A Marquette Law School poll on the race is scheduled to be released on Wednesday but that poll won’t include Crowley and will include Rodriguez.
