Tammy emailed you yesterday with her thoughts on Tuesday’s disastrous election in Wisconsin. Make sure you read her message and then add your name to demand universal vote-by-mail immediately so that every eligible voter can safely cast their ballot in November’s election.
Friend —
What happened in Wisconsin on Tuesday was outrageous.
There’s no excuse. There’s no explanation. The Republicans who dominate our state legislature disenfranchised many Wisconsinites and people across our state were forced to choose between their constitutional right to vote and keeping themselves and their families safe.
No one should ever have to make that choice.
Long lines formed outside of Wisconsin polling stations as voters waited to cast their ballots amid the coronavirus pandemic. Poll workers understandably stayed home to protect themselves. Milwaukee’s 180 polling locations dwindled down to just five. Those who requested their absentee ballots weeks ago never got it. And others had no choice but to stay home because they couldn’t risk getting themselves or their loved ones sick.
Photo by Patricia McKnight/The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin has a long pattern of this. Time after time, Republican leaders in our state have disenfranchised voters and made it tougher for people to make their voices heard in our democracy. But these recent events — in the middle of a pandemic, no less — are beyond the pale.
Republicans in the state legislature shut down any efforts by Governor Evers to allow people to vote at a later date. And the GOP-controlled State Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court voted along party lines to side with them.
Not to mention, President Trump called mailed-in ballots “corrupt” (despite voting absentee himself in Florida) and argued the Republicans should fight against universal vote-by-mail because higher turnout means “you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again.” It’s outrageous.
What happened in Wisconsin was an unfair, disgraceful act of voter suppression on the part of Republicans in the state legislature all the way up to the Supreme Court — making it absolutely clear that the other side will stop at nothing to make it harder for folks to exercise their right to vote.
Republicans will continue their dangerous voter suppression tactics unless we act. The best way for us to stop them is to demand that universal vote-by-mail is included in the next coronavirus relief bill. So, I’m asking:
Will you sign my petition demanding universal vote-by-mail so we can avoid this sort of disaster in November? No one should have to choose between protecting their health or exercising their right to vote — especially during a pandemic. Anything less is unacceptable.
We must do better to ensure voting is safe for all Americans and ensure everyone has the right to vote by mail. If we don’t act now, the consequences could be staggering.
It’s on us to show the Republicans that we will not allow them to disgrace our democracy and play politics with public safety again.
Thanks for taking action. Stay safe out there.
— Tammy
