Wisconsin election bill prioritizes speed over security, lawmaker claims

Wisconsin Absentee Ballot‍ Processing Bill Sacrifices Security for Speed, Says Election Integrity Advocate

Proponents of a Wisconsin absentee ballot processing bill claim it will solve the problem of delayed vote counting on election nights. However, a Wisconsin state election integrity advocate argues that the bill prioritizes speed ⁢over ⁢security.

State ‍Rep. Janel Brandtjen, R-Menomonee Falls, criticizes Senate Bill 685, which proposes allowing local election clerks to​ start processing absentee ballots the day‌ before an election. She believes that the bill is being falsely presented as a bipartisan solution to the slow ‍vote returns experienced ​in Milwaukee.

“The idea that’s being presented is not truthful,” Brandtjen said. “This bill ⁢trades speed for security. It will lead to many more ​central counts‌ in the state of Wisconsin, with almost no chain ‌of custody on those ballots.”

The bill ‍was discussed in a hearing held by the Senate Committee on ‌Shared‌ Revenue, Elections, and Consumer Protection. While the bill includes other election law provisions, opponents are particularly concerned about the⁢ ballot processing aspect.

The Assembly version of the bill, AB 567, was ⁣passed last month with Brandtjen and a few Republicans voting against it. They warned​ that the proposal‌ could compromise election integrity and⁢ assist election cheats.

However, the bill’s authors argue that it will actually address concerns ⁢about​ fair elections that arose ‍during the highly contested 2020 presidential election.

Clerks would be⁤ able to verify voter eligibility and prepare absentee ballots for the Election Day count on the Monday before elections. However, the counting of early voting ballots would still be prohibited ⁢until after the ⁢polls close‌ in Wisconsin.

Chuck DeVore, in an⁢ article for ⁣The Federalist, supports the bill as a way to tackle the​ challenges faced in ​the 2020 election and ensure a resilient ‌and responsive electoral system in Wisconsin. He believes that passing SB 685 could ⁤set a precedent for other states dealing with similar issues and improve ‌public faith in the election process.

Brandtjen points out that‍ current Wisconsin law allows the counting of absentee ballots after the polls open ⁢on Election Day in municipalities ⁤with specific ordinances. She argues that the bill will actually create more central count operations in⁤ municipalities across the state, raising concerns about chain of custody, transparency, and monitoring.

Critics worry that giving elections officials a ‍one-day head start on processing ballots could enable dishonest counters to share information ​about​ the tally with parties and candidates. In a state like Wisconsin, where same-day voter registration is allowed, this insider information could potentially impact the outcome of an election⁢ unfairly.

Brandtjen highlights⁢ a case involving Kimberly Zapata, a former deputy director⁤ of the ⁢Milwaukee Election Commission, who⁢ was charged with fraud ⁢after sending falsely obtained military absentee ballots to ​Brandtjen’s home. Zapata claimed she did it to expose security flaws in Wisconsin’s elections ⁢system. The case is still ongoing.

In the 2020 presidential election, Milwaukee elections administrator Claire Woodall-Vogg announced a large batch of votes in the early hours of November 4, ​tipping the ​scales ⁣in favor of Joe Biden.⁢ This announcement drew criticism and suspicion from some, including Ryan Chew, who was⁣ involved in the “Zuckerbucks” scandal. The scandal revealed that leftist activists had influenced election offices in⁢ Democrat-heavy cities, including Milwaukee,⁣ through grants funded by Mark Zuckerberg.

Brandtjen is concerned that Senate Bill 685 could increase security risks in the election system. She ‍questions whether ⁤the bill sacrifices security⁣ for the sake of speed.