State Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, the lead author of six controversial Republican election bills and chair of the state Senate Elections and Urban Affairs Committee, held a hearing Wednesday to discuss criticisms of the proposed legislation, including the claim the bills would make elections more partisan.
The bills in question would change election protocols, including requiring poll workers to take note of the identification voters use as proof of residency. Another piece of legislation would require a polling place staffed with two or more individuals to have representatives from both parties working the polling place. Critics have said the measure would unnecessarily introduce partisanship into the local election process at polling places.
One of the bills that has drawn the most criticism from groups such as United Wisconsin, is one that would allow polling places to draw staffers from places outside the municipality. Polling places currently draw from people residing in the same municipality to staff elections.
United Wisconsin Executive Director Lisa Subeck called the bills “a solution in search of a problem,” in her written testimony to the Elections and Urban Affairs Committee.
“Poll workers are trained not to discuss electoral races, political parties, and other such topics while working at the polling place,” Subeck said in her testimony. “Working at the polls and as a voter, I have found each and every poll worker I have encountered over the years to take this responsibility seriously and to maintain a high level of professionalism.”
Subeck ultimately advised the state Senate Elections and Urban Affairs Committee to vote the bills down.
Lazich could not be reached for comment at the time of publishing.
