Here & Now

Can Wisconsin Handle Its Spring Election?

Frederica Freyberg:

Among those seeking the delay, Reverend Gregory Lewis who runs the Souls to the Polls program, which encourages churches in Milwaukee to turn out voters. Lewis says it’s confusing to him how the state is on one hand mandating that people stay home. And on the other saying Wisconsin should hold in-person voting as scheduled. Lewis himself tested positive for the virus and is in quarantine.

Gregory Lewis:

A few weeks ago, I was ready to knock down walls and move mountains. (exhales) Now, I can barely get out of bed. So this whole thing is real. And I think we need to take it more seriously. So for me to try to get out and vote is an impossibility. Nobody wants to be around me right now. And voting in-person is not even an option.

Frederica Freyberg:

Multiple lawsuits have been filed over Wisconsin’s April 7^th election in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. But so far, Governor Tony Evers has been steadfast in keeping the date while encouraging absentee voting. This week, Wisconsin legislative leaders addressed the issue.

Robin Vos:

I support the decision to move forward. I know we can do it safely. I am, you know, at this point, agreeing with Governor Evers that we should continue. Senator Fitzgerald?

Scott Fitzgerald:

Yeah, I think and there are obviously a lot concerns about what would that look like on April 7^th with the amount of poll workers and volunteers you’re going to need. So we’re monitoring it very closely I think but at this point, I don’t see a change really in the April 7^th date.