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Act Now on Voting Bills That Will Make It Harder for People with Disabilities to Vote
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As early as next week, legislators could move on 4 voting bills that will make it harder for people with disabilities, older adults and people of color to vote. Now is the time to call/email your legislators to share how these bills could impact you or a loved one.
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Summary of key bills that could negatively impact these voters:
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SB 204 / AB 201: Absentee Ballot Applications
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Eliminates the option for indefinitely confined voters to receive absentee ballots automatically for every election and would require all indefinitely confined voters to provide a photo ID with their absentee ballot request.
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SB 205 / AB 179: Absentee Voting in Residential Care Facilities
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Any action by staff that influences an eligible resident voter to request an absentee ballot or refrain from doing so would be a Class I felony. Would require the facility to notify residents’ relatives as to when the special voting deputies will be coming to the facility to assist in the casting of absentee ballots.
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SB 206 / AB 180: Returning Absentee Indefinitely Confined Voter
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Voters would be required to provide statements under oath and renew their status every two years. A false statement would be a felony.
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SB 209 / AB 177- Returning Absentee Ballots to the Office of the Clerk
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Will limit drop boxes for absentee ballots to a drop box that is attached to a building where the municipal clerk's office is permanently located. Prohibits the use of any other drop box for the delivery of an absentee ballot.
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Call or email your legislators about your concerns. You can find your legislator's contact info by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-362-9472 or click “Who Are My Legislators?” on the Wisconsin State Legislature Home Page
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- The bills eliminate the option for people with disabilities to be a permanent absentee voter and always receive an absentee ballot. (indefinitely confined voter)
- Any voter who wants to vote absentee would need to apply for an absentee ballot for every election instead of requesting an absentee ballot for the year.
- It’s hard to get photo ID if you are a non-driver; DMV hours and locations are extremely limited.
- Makes it a crime for staff of nursing homes or group homes to offer residents information about absentee voting. Staff have a duty to support residents with their right to vote.
- Many people don’t have access to the internet or computer to request an absentee ballot.
- You want legislators to work with the disability and aging community to address barriers to voting and make elections more accessible, not less.
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Sample Email to a Legislator
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Email Subject Line: Concerns about voting bills SB 204, SB 205, SB 206, SB 209
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Dear Sen./Rep. [Name of Elected Official],
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I am writing to share my concerns about the following bills because they will make it harder to vote (add the number of the bills you are concerned about). [Briefly introduce yourself – if you live in the district, where you volunteer, work, etc]
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As an American, few things are more important to me than my right to vote and ensuring all people, regardless of their disability, age, race, or where they live, have that same opportunity.
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[Tell your story: explain about how these bills will personally make it harder for you or someone you know to vote.]
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For these reasons and more, I ask you to vote against these bills and to support accessible and inclusive elections. Thank you for taking my voice into consideration.
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