Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers speaks Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Superior, Wis. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Evers vetoed four Republican election-related bills.
One would have required a post-election audit, which Evers said he vetoed because he objects to Republicans' "ongoing efforts to interfere with and usurp control over election administration and undermine Wisconsin's election administration system." Existing post-election audits already ensure that the state's elections are fair and run properly, Evers said.
Another vetoed bill would have allowed election observers to be within three feet of election workers. Current law bars them from being any closer than three feet from workers.
Republicans have pushed for years to give observers more power while watching people vote. But Evers, in his veto message, said allowing them to get closer would increase the risk of interference and voter intimidation.
He vetoed two bills that would have tightened the rules for casting and collecting absentee ballots in nursing homes. Republicans introduced them after criticizing how voting was conducted in nursing homes during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evers also vetoed a bill that would have required a special election or Senate approval of his appointments when there is a vacancy for the positions of secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general and secretary of the Department of Public Instruction. Republicans pushed the measure after Evers named Sarah Godlewski as secretary of state after the elected office holder, Doug La Follette, resigned.
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Evers said he objected to the Legislature trying to infringe on his powers of appointment. He said if enacted, the proposal could lead to long vacancies in the positions.
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