Gov. Tony Evers (D) has vetoed AB87/SB95, a Republican-backed bill that would have prevented Wisconsinites convicted of felonies from regaining voting rights until all court-ordered obligations — including fines, fees, restitution, and community service — were fulfilled.
In Wisconsin, people regain voting rights after completing their sentence, including incarceration, supervision, parole, and probation. The bill’s sponsors, Rep. Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers) and Sen. Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac), said the measure would ensure full accountability and restitution for crime victims, including victims of human trafficking.
Evers called the bill an unnecessary barrier for eligible voters. “I will not sign legislation that makes it harder for eligible Wisconsinites to cast their ballot,” he said.
Civil rights groups, including WISDOM, EXPO of Wisconsin, the ACLU of Wisconsin, and Common Cause, praised the veto, calling the measure a form of voter suppression and likening it to a poll tax. Critics also noted Wisconsin lacks a centralized system to track outstanding obligations, potentially making compliance unclear for many.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
