Wisconsin can no longer use federal voter registration form

(The Center Square) – The National Mail Voter Registration Form is no longer allowed in Wisconsin.

Waukesha County Judge Michael Maxwell this week banned the form because it asks questions not allowed by Wisconsin law, including a question about a voter’s race. The form also allowed people to register to vote in Wisconsin without providing other information required by state law.

The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty sued over the form and won.

“The legal issue in the case was simply that the statute did not call for [the extra information], so by including those requests, the form went beyond the statute and was unlawful,” WILL’s Lucas Vebber told The Center Square. “The Judge never reached those issues though because he determined the form was never lawfully adopted in the first instance.”

Maxwell said in his order the Wisconsin Elections Commission “failed in [its] most basic duty” to register voters using the appropriate forms.

- Advertisement -

A spokesman for the Elections Commission didn’t respond to questions from The Center Square.

Neither WILL nor the Elections Commission knows just how many people in Wisconsin registered to vote using the national form.

Vebber said it doesn’t matter because the judge’s order only affects voter registrations going forward, adding “no one was removed from the voting rolls as a result of the decision.”

“The Court gave them 14 days to withdraw all their illegal guidance, and to inform clerks that the national form cannot be used in Wisconsin. WEC could still appeal the decision,” Vebber said.

Wisconsin voters can register online, at their local election office and in-person at the polls on election day.

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

WATCH: Siegel talks impact of public education funding boost

(The Center Square) – State Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Allentown,...

Trump directive will keep promise made to Lumbee Tribe

(The Center Square) – Full federal recognition for the...

North Carolina nets $150M from $7.4B Purdue Pharma settlement

(The Center Square) – North Carolina’s state and local...

Report: Louisiana’s electric grid faces mounting challenges

(The Center Square) – Louisiana's electric grid is struggling...

New report calls for improved oversight of meat and poultry

(The Center Square) – A new watchdog report highlights...

Republicans call for Evers to rethink policy, consider Wisconsin tax cuts

(The Center Square) – Republican and conservative leaders in...

Former ambassador to the Middle East shares his hope for peace

(The Center Square) – Retired Ambassador Ryan Crocker, a...

Congressman wants to stop small business reporting requirements

(The Center Square) – A southwest Ohio Republican congressman...

More like this
Related

WATCH: Siegel talks impact of public education funding boost

(The Center Square) – State Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Allentown,...

Trump directive will keep promise made to Lumbee Tribe

(The Center Square) – Full federal recognition for the...

North Carolina nets $150M from $7.4B Purdue Pharma settlement

(The Center Square) – North Carolina’s state and local...

Report: Louisiana’s electric grid faces mounting challenges

(The Center Square) – Louisiana's electric grid is struggling...