The campaigns of two Republican leaders in the state Legislature are suing election officials over a ballot redesign for the Nov. 4 election, arguing the ballots are biased in favor of Democrats.
The campaigns of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, are taking the ballots to court in Waukesha County, alleging the design creates confusion amongst voters that could lead to under-voting, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“It kind of looks like all the candidates are jumbled together,” Vos told the Journal Sentinel.
He argued the manner in which candidates farther down the ballot are organized makes Democrats appear to be the only candidates running.
The suit is asking the court to declare that the ballots violate state law as well as to prevent the Government Accountability Board from forcing counties to use the current ballot.
Kevin Kennedy, the state’s chief election officer, said in a Tuesday press conference it would not be feasible to reprint and redesign the ballots seven weeks before the election, according to the Journal Sentinel article.
Kennedy alleged the lawsuit’s motives are political.
"I don't think the issue that's been presented is anything other than something to gin up some partisan activity," Kennedy said. “The ballot looks different. We've made some changes but they're not significant differences."
Two Wisconsin Democratic leaders criticized the lawsuit.
Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, said in a Wednesday statement the lawsuit is an “enormous disruption for voters.”
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate also condemned the legal action in a statement.
"The Republican Party must not have much faith in their candidates if they're busying themselves with absurd and silly claims with just 48 days until election day," Tate said.
