Wisconsin Elections Commission Proposes Rules for Election Observers

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – A state committee is now considering rules for election observers in Wisconsin. 

After widespread falsehoods about fraud in the 2020 presidential election, there was an increase in people wanting to become election observers. They’re allowed to watch the whole process, without intervening. 

Generally, Republicans have been pushing for greater access for observers. Democrats, and some local clerks, are worried more observer involvement will lead to voter intimidation and interference. 

The legislature asked the Wisconsin Elections Commission to come up with clear rules for election observers. After two years of public meetings, collecting comments, and often heated discussion, the bipartisan commission agreed on some ground rules. 

Ultimately these new rules would require observers show ID, make it clear when they’re allowed to start watching for the day and where they need to be in terms of closeness to voters, and guarantee access to disability accommodations and restrooms. 

The Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections held a public hearing on the rule Tuesday. 

“The key is it guarantees observation at the time the zero tabulation is run that morning. That is the beginning of the open elections process, and it guarantees that observers have the right to be there,” said Ann Jacobs, chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission. She’s a Democrat. “That’s an important part of the process. People want to make sure that the voting machines are showing a zero … that begins the time at which observers have a right to be present, even if it’s before polls open at seven.”

People came to the hearing to oppose the rule. However the members of the Commission hoped that if their three Republicans and three Democrats could agree on its terms, lawmakers and Wisconsinites could too. 

“Not everything is sunshine and roses when the commissioners meet,” said Republican member of the Wisconsin Elections Commission Don Millis. “You know, we have very heated arguments. And so we had some disagreements about the things that we talked about … but at the end of the day, we felt that it was more important to have a rule than to not have a rule.”

Now the lawmakers on the Campaigns and Elections committee can request changes to the rule or forward it along to the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules.