The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday the Republican Party of Ohio cannot file a lawsuit to enforce federal election law as a private entity, which may affect a similar lawsuit in Wisconsin.
This ruling could influence Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen's ability to bring his case against the Government Accountability Board for not checking voter registrations, as mandated by the Help America Vote Act.
Joe Wineke, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said in a statement the Supreme Court's decision puts an end to Van Hollen's politically motivated lawsuit.""
Some Wisconsin Democrats are concerned the HAVA checks would prevent new voters from being able to vote.
""Not only did the GAB board issue a formal ruling protecting Wisconsin voters this week, but the U.S. Supreme Court's decision means the end of this fruitless Republican strategy"" he said.
Alec Loftus, communications director for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said the future of Van Hollen's lawsuit was ""crystal clear"" after the Supreme Court's decision.
According to Kevin St. John, special assistant to the attorney general, the Ohio decision has no bearing on Van Hollen's lawsuit.
""The case that Attorney General Van Hollen is bringing against the Government Accountability Board is a case which is brought in his official capacity as attorney general in state court to enforce state law,"" he said.
St. John said state law makes HAVA compliance mandatory. HAVA required voter information in Wisconsin be checked against the HAVA database starting Jan. 1, 2006, but checks did not start until August 2008.
