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.
What are the concerns raised by opponents of the bill regarding the compromise of security and potential fraud or manipulation of absentee ballots?
Lient election system. He points out that the bill does not compromise security, but instead provides a more efficient process for counting absentee ballots while maintaining the integrity of the election.
DeVore argues that the delayed vote counting in Milwaukee during the 2020 election raised concerns about the accuracy and transparency of the process. By allowing local election clerks to start processing absentee ballots the day before an election, the bill aims to streamline and expedite the vote counting process, thereby addressing the issues that were observed in the previous election.
However, critics of the bill, like Brandtjen, believe that this trade-off between speed and security is not worth it. They argue that the bill increases the risk of compromising the chain of custody for the absentee ballots, which can lead to potential fraud or manipulation of the results. They also express concerns that the increased central counting of ballots could make it easier for unauthorized individuals to gain access to the ballots and tamper with them.
At the heart of this debate is the question of how to balance the need for efficient and timely vote counting with the imperative of ensuring the legitimacy and security of the election process. The proponents of the bill argue that the current system, which allows absentee ballots to be counted only on Election Day, contributes to delays and potential errors due to the large volume of ballots to be processed within a limited time frame. They contend that by starting the processing earlier, clerks can have more time for verification and preparation, thus reducing the likelihood of mistakes or inconsistencies.
On the other hand, opponents of the bill insist that security should be the top priority, and any potential compromises to it are unacceptable. They argue that the current system, although it may be slower, provides a stronger guarantee of ballot integrity, as the ballots are securely stored until the time of counting.
The debate surrounding the Wisconsin absentee ballot processing bill is emblematic of the broader discussions on election integrity and the best methods to balance efficiency and security in the electoral process. As election systems across the country continue to evolve, policymakers must carefully consider the potential trade-offs and implications of any proposed changes to ensure the integrity and fairness of the democratic process.
Sources:
- https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/wisconsin-absentee-ballot-processing-bill-sacrifices-security-for-speed-says-election-integrity-advocate/article_6a317f3d-2b88-5276-a5dd-afd04597bb5e.html
- https://www.wispolitics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/ABFinal052621.pdf
- https://thefederalist.com/2021/07/06/wisconsins-absentee-ballot-proposal-is-about-securing-the-elections-not-quick-results/
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