Wisconsin Democrats Seek to Let Absentee Voters Recast Ballots Ahead of August Primary

The Wisconsin Democratic Party has asked the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) to withdraw its recent guidance that bars voters from “spoiling” an absentee ballot and obtaining a new one. The plea follows Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez’s withdrawal (June 22) and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley’s re-entry (July 8) into the crowded Democratic governor’s primary, which now features five active candidates. State officials note that more than 80,000 absentee ballots have already been returned, and the primary is scheduled for Aug 11.

UsNews and World ReportWisconsin Democrats want absentee voters to be able to recast primary votes

Democratic Party Chairman Devin Remiker argued that the commission’s guidance contradicts a 2006 U.S. Supreme Court ruling prohibiting rule changes close to an election and would disenfranchise voters who already mailed a ballot.

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• 80,000+ absentee ballots have been returned for the Aug 11 primary.

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• From the 2018 midterms through the 2022 primary, the Wisconsin Elections Commission recorded that less than 1 % of votes involved voters spoiling a ballot and casting a new one.

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• The commission’s 4-2 vote to prohibit recasting was split along party lines, with two Democrats opposing the prohibition.

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• “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, democratic party chairman

Wisconsin Democrats want absentee voters to be able to recast primary votes

• “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,” — Devin Remiker, democratic party chairman

Wisconsin Democrats want absentee voters to be able to recast primary votes

The Democratic Party plans to file a lawsuit if the WEC does not reverse its guidance. Early-in-person voting begins on July 28, and the outcome of any legal challenge could affect how absentee voters participate in the Aug 11 Democratic gubernatorial primary.

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