http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/disability-old-s444.jpgCourt decision in Brown v. Wisconsin Elections Commission will make in-person absentee voting as accessible as possible at locations across the city.

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Priorities USA and Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans’ celebrate a victory for voting rights in their intervention in Brown v. Wisconsin Elections Commission. The intervention was to protect Racine, Wisconsin’s efforts to make in-person absentee voting as accessible as possible for its residents by using a mobile voting vehicle to offer in-person absentee voting at locations across the city. The City made this option available to voters during the primary and general elections in 2022, and thousands of voters took advantage of it.

On Tuesday, February 18, the Wisconsin Supreme Court reversed a lower court decision and dismissed a lawsuit challenging the use of the mobile voting vehicle and the selection of in-person absentee voting sites in Racine, Wisconsin. The plaintiff, represented by an anti-voting organization called the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, argued that Racine’s absentee voting practices violated state law. The Wisconsin Supreme Court held that the plaintiff lacked standing to sue because the challenged practices—which made it easier for all Racine citizens to cast their ballots—did not harm him.

“Wisconsin voters deserve to have free and fair access to the ballot, and this week we are celebrating this win in the fight for free and fair elections,” said Danielle Butterfield, Executive Director of Priorities USA. “Because of this ruling, hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin voters will have an easier way to make their voices heard and vote at multiple in-person absentee voting locations throughout the state. Priorities USA is proud to celebrate this victory along the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans, and together we will continue to fight right-wing attempts to silence marginalized communities.”

“This week is a good week for older voters in Wisconsin,” said Ross Winklbauer Sr., President of the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans. “Older voters are the most likely to vote by mail and thanks to this decision there will be more in-person options available to securely return their ballots.” 

Read more about the ruling HERE.