Wisconsin Bill Would Politicize Elections Agency

By Project Vote October 21, 2015
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Photo: Teemu008 via Creative Commons

Today, the Wisconsin legislature is considering a bill that would alter the nonpartisan Government Accountability Board, a move that critics say would have a negative impact on “good government” in the state.

The GAB was created with bipartisan support to oversee ethics and elections in Wisconsin. Six former judges comprise the board through an appointment process involving all three government branches. A new bill (AB 388/SB 294) would replace the GAB with separate ethics and elections partisan boards, feared to be more political and less effective.

“The GAB is an exemplary model in the use of nonpartisan judges experienced in neutral analysis of laws and facts to supervise ethics and election issues,” said Project Vote legislative director, Marissa Liebling. “In practice, the GAB provided transparent, robust advice and support for local election officials. It also developed well-researched, reasoned rules, and guidance, and created wide-ranging and informative voter education materials.”

The Senate is set to take up the measure today, but may not have the votes to pass the bill. Four state senators (Senators Crowles, Olsen, Harsdorf, and Marlein) have reportedly expressed concerns about the bill and may add to the number of votes required to the stop the measure.

This bill should be stopped. People are sick and tired of ineffectual government, so there’s no reason to fix something that’s actually working for the voters of Wisconsin.