Here & Now

Disability Advocates Raise Concerns About Election Bills

Frederica Freyberg:

At the Capitol, Republicans released a slate of bills aimed at tying up loose ends in the state’s election law. Loose ends that challenged the law’s intent in new ways as the 2020 elections were held during the unfolding pandemic. Among the issues addressed in the proposed legislation were indefinitely confined voters, outside funding to help administer elections and information that clerks are required to report. Advocates from the disability community voiced concerns that some of the bills would limit voter access.

Woman:

As a disabled voter, I’m concerned with the continued efforts to restrict the constitutional rights of the disabled community to vote. I’m gravely disappointed with the reintroduction of several bills that I believe are presented under the guise of election integrity at the cost of equitable access.

Another Woman:

There are many different disabilities that can cause mistakes, and people should not be punished if they make a significant error. And we have been talking about this and other bills that have been introduced in the past that make it difficult for those populations to get to vote.

Frederica Freyberg:

In the race for governor in Wisconsin, a Republican state representative and Donald Trump supporter throws his hat into the ring. Timothy Ramthun filed Thursday. Republican leadership disciplined Representative Ramthun last month over his false election claims.