State not easing voting rules despite lack of clarity, causing thousands of ballots to be tossed

Group says instructions on absentee ballots are unclear

So far, no luck for those looking to ease off on new rules for absentee ballots in Wisconsin.

The state’s election commission administrator is recommending keeping in place a requirement that a ballot witness provide a full address in order for the ballot to count.

With the League of Women Voters, Andrea Kaminski says that’s not good news for democracy.

“If we can continue with the current policy, then likely thousands of voters will be disenfranchised,” she said.

That’s because, she added, ballot instructions about the witness address are unclear.

She’s hoping the full Wisconsin Elections Commission rescinds the requirement during a meeting Friday.

Meanwhile, hundreds, if not thousands, of ballots have already been delivered to clerks without the full address, making them invalid.  

Election clerks can contact voters to get the information, but that’s not a solution for everyone, Kaminski said.

“Some clerks will follow up with the voters and that’s fantastic, and they are really commended on doing that,” she said. “But, the fact is, they are not required to do so. It will also be a burden on local election officials on these last few weeks before the election.